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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SHEHAN_GIWANTHA" data-source="post: 18450099" data-attributes="member: 496236">The idea behind this document is to create a guide to buying a used car in Sri Lanka.Buying a used vehicle in Sri Lanka(This applies to purchase of a used car regardless of the price/age, and applies to all registered and 'reconditioned' vehicles. )1. tests you can perform:================Engine====Before starting:- check the engine oil. Is it at the correct level?Yes: OK/Owner topped upNo: Owner does not top up, engine burning oil, etcColor of oil- Light brown/colorless - engine is running reasonably good/recent service- black - engine running bad/never servicedNote: diesels tend to have dark/black engine oilAfter startingDid it start easily?Yes: OKNo: problems in engine/battery/starter motor/tune/etc.does the exhaust show visible smoke (white, black, bluish or grey smoke)?this coud indicate engine problems such as oil burning, worn engine etc.-- note: diesels do occationally smoke a bit, especially under accelerationdoes it maintain operating temperature?- listen to the engine in idle - do you hear clattering, rattling, or any odd sounds? they could indicate various problems ranging from bent valves to broken mounts?note: diesels are somewhat louder than normal gasoline enginesTest drive===========Lets say you decide to go for a test drive.... Step out of the vehicle, and ask the owner to get it out of his driveway/car sale etc. As he does this observe the vehicle, and see if it smokes or struggles during the procedure.Look at the place where the vehicle was parked. If there is visible engine oil/coolant, etc this could indicate problems in the vehicle. (water may be visible from the car's A/C, this is normal).Ask the owner to drive you:1. Along a rough road (so you can test the suspension)2. On a good road, ask the owner to drive up to at least 56km/h (or whatever local speed limit) so you can see how the vehicle performs at high speed.Turn OFF the radio and A/C and listen to the car for rattles/humsTip: a hum from front/rear may indicate need to replace wheel bearings (or what our people refer to as razors)- Stop the car and ask the owner to back up a small hill, and observe the car exhaust for smoke, this is a good test of the clutch/etc.Actual test drive:- First make sure the vehicle has insurance and road licence which are valid. Ask to see them. Then test drive the vehicle very carefully. Make sure you have a good flat road and there is very little traffic. Remember its an unfamiliar vehicle and proceed with caution.First, test the clutch and brakes. The clutch should engage neatly before releasing the pedal fully. If it engages very late, it could mean a blown clutch plate.If there are clutch/brake problems, don't drive any further, and ask the owner to resume driving. And ask yourself whether you are sure you want to buy this car, from someone who couldnt even do basic maintenance.Reviewing the ownerHow the owner behaves during the test drive can give you a clue of how s/he uses the vehicle in real life. For example:- Does he roll down the window and drive (even though there is an A/C) - this may indicate that the A/C rarely worked.- Does he drive like a rally driver (in which case you can buy the car if you are willing to buy an extra engine, transmission and suspension)How has s/he spent on the car? If he has spent a lot on cosmetics while ignoring real existing mechanical problems, then you should probably consider another car.Is s/he straightforward and honest? Does what the owner says match up to what you see? For example, if the owner said the car had 2 owners in total and the log book copy shows 4 owners, then they could be lying about other things, and you should be cautious.Sometimes owners make mistakes, or simply don't know an answer, but overall if the owner appears to be honest and straightforward, that is a positive sign.[Ask QuestionsAs you review the car, ask questions from the owner. If you see anything odd, ask about it. If the owner is honest and straightforward, its a positive sign. Try to gauge how much of what the owner is telling is the truth. A good way to do this is to pretend you don't know something and ask a question.After the test drive============After you return to the owners house/car sale, ask the owner to pop the hood and inspect the engine.- check temperature management. The gauge inside the car should be half or less. Aside from the gage, the engine should be reasonably managing temperature and the fans should be working properly.- Carefully tap the radiator cap with the tip of your finger. If it burns your finger off, the temperature management isnt good. Similarly the engine bay should not be boiling hot Physical inspection of vehicle=====================1. Visual inspection:simply look at the car - see if the lines are straight. Look at the paint. Uneven areas could indicate repainting.- look at the wheel arches. Look at the brakes. Look under the car (front/rear) If possible, take the car to a service station and inspect the underneath. If this is not possible, try to look under the car and see what is visible at least - (carry a flashlight with you when you go to see the car).- look for rust, damage, etc.- look at the engine compartment. Are there odd wires and do things look as if they have been messed with?Sometimes legitimate mods (e.g. alarm systems, aftermarket headlamps) require new wiring but if you see a mess inside, it probably means the wiring has been messed up by local mechanics in which case you should think carefully whether you really want this car.- (If the vehicle is cold) carefully open the radiator cap - check if it contains coolant, and if there is any signs of oil (could indicate a head leak)Look at the engine. If it has a slight layer of dust its OK. If it is shiny and has a layer of oil that means it has been washed at a service station. I prefer a car which has a normal slightly dusty engine vs one that has been washed and scrubbed to 'look' new.- look for leaks in radiator pipes.(with the engine off) remove the engine oil cover - if you can see nice clean silver metal with perhaps yellow brown color (engine oil) this is a positive sign. (note: diesels do tend to have dark/black engine interior, this refers to gasoline vehicles only).- Look at the fluid levels of the various fluids (power steering, brake fluid, auto transmission if auto) - if they are not up to level it could indicate leaks or careless owner.- if the vehicle is hot you may be able to open the radiator overflow tank (be careful) and check if he uses coolant.Not using coolant indicates:1. Owner is an idiot2. Radiator has leak and owner is topping it up with ordinary water.Either case, don't buy the car.2. Tap testgently tap the body of the car, with a fingernail (dont rap it loudly) as you walk around. Check the hood, front left and right side and back carefully, also doors (as these are the main accident prone areas).Other general ideas:- Ask the owner what maintenance was performed. If he tells you a list of things replaced/repaired, this is usually a good sign and means the owner took some effort to look after car.- check the mileage? Mileage can be modified - but if it corresponds with the appearance of the vehicle then it could be accurate.- ask for receipts particularly for the timing belt/clutch etcHAS THE VEHICLE BEEN SERVICED/WASHED?If the owner was so cheap that he couldn't service the vehicle before he sold it, then do you really want to buy a car from him/her?*Exception*: Sometimes the owner may be actively using the car in which case it may be a bit dusty but all the same he/she should have washed/serviced/detailed the car within a few days of deciding to sell it.Now Consider the actual condition of the vehicle and make a list of all problems you encountered:Scenario 1: vehicle has major problems which can be fixed=====================================for example:- Clutch plate gone.- brakes not too good.-minor suspension probs (e.g. weak shocks).- minor engine probs (e.g. poor tune up).Indicates that the seller was a cheap idiot (or typical local)Verdict: Buy with caution, knowing there could be other existing problems, and repair BEFORE YOU DRIVE said vehicle.Scenario 2: Vehicle has minor problems which can be fixed later=========================================- A/C not running cold enough.- Minor dings, dents, scratches.- Minor cosmetic issues.Verdict: Buy the car, but set aside money to fix those problems later on.Scenario 3: Vehicle has major problems which can't be fixed easily===========================================- Chassis problems (cracks/bent chassis)- major engine problems (e.g. grey/white/black smoke, burning oil, head gasket leaks)- major suspension/mechanical problems- gearbox problems which would necessitate replacing gear box... so on.Verdict: don't buy the car, unless you own a garage, have a million to spare, or are plain crazy.Other costsAside from the above, there are a number of things you usually have to do, when purchasing ANY used car. These usually include:- Insurance & road licence.- 4 tires.- full service/oil change/air filter etc.- brake pads/etc- New battery (if existing battery not too good).- Timing belt (if close to 100k km's or multiples of that). Many people will say they replaced the belt, they could be lying. It's easier to spend 10k and replace it than to undergo a broken belt and engine rebuild. If they have replaced the belt, you can get a good garage to visually inspect it.signs of a good vehicle:- Vehicle is clean. (As in, the owner has washed, cleaned, and serviced it.)- is in good mechanical condition (good engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, body)- owner has focused on maintaining the mechanical condition of the vehicle- Vehicle has been maintained properly and scheduled maintenance has been done, e.g. brakes, clutch, timing, etc have been replaced at the proper intervals as necessary.- owner cares about vehicle, services regularly, engine oil is not dirty- owner is upfront and honest about any flaws.- owner uses a good garage for maintenance, and used original/quality componentsAbstract from Auto Lanka Forum</blockquote>

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