Dirt, rust and oil leaks are just some of the signs of neglect on a used car. Jake Venter explains what faults to look out for, and when to walk away from that ‘never-to-be-repeated’ bargain.
You should be hesitant to buy any used vehicle that falls into one or more of the following categories:
• Cars or bakkies that are expensive to buy new
These are expensive to maintain, and even more expensive to maintain when older. So if you can afford a top-of the-range model only when it’s past its prime, you will struggle to afford the upkeep.
• Turbocharged bakkies and vehicles with dual-mass clutches
These are seldom worth the risk. Both these devices suffer damage if the driver lugs the engine (accelerates from a low vehicle speed in a high gear at a large throttle opening). This is a common practice and the damage is cumulative; the bakkie could be fine today and the turbo or clutch could fail the next.
• Brand names that are new to South Africa
These are risky enough as new purchases, let alone when bought used.
• Off-road vehicles and 2WD bakkies
These need not be avoided, but they should be examined more carefully than passenger cars, as they often work harder.
Denne historien er fra Farmer's Weekly 14 September 2018-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra Farmer's Weekly 14 September 2018-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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