Out with the old and in with the new? More like out with the new and in with the old. Pre-owned cars are having their moment and trending as some of the best cars to buy. Apart from being more affordable, they deserve the same amount of love as new cars.

We know that buying a used car is not as easy as it sounds. If you’re not quite savvy enough, you never really know what you’re getting or if the previous owner did their part in taking care of the car. How safe is a pre-owned car, then?

At Subaru, we’ve set up a guide that will teach you everything there is to know about pre-owned cars. We’ll help you choose the right used car for your needs and how to avoid the most common pitfalls out there. Feeling confident with your car purchase comes with lots of research, test drives, and knowing which pre-owned cars are safe. It takes time, but it’s worth every minute.

The Importance of Safety When Buying a Preowned Car

Safety should be the number one factor when deciding to purchase any car.

Subaru is known for having one of the best safety systems in the world, and that carries through into our pre-loved section. Safety is the number one aspect of our cars. When buying a pre-owned car, knowing the ins and outs of it can save you a bunch of problems. Used cars have a reputation for having underlying issues and mechanical faults, do your homework and ensure you know what to look for on your car-buying journey.

The Risks of Buying a Used Vehicle

While pre-owned cars have their set of pros, they come with a list of possible risks too. Knowing these risks and asking how safe a preowned car is can put you one step ahead and equip you with the knowledge of what to look out for.

Here are some risks of buying a used vehicle:

• Existing and underlying issues. This is the most common issue with used cars. When they’re sold to the dealership, any existing issues need to be disclosed, however, this doesn’t always happen.
• Mechanical faults. At the dealership, these faults are remedied as best as possible but can resurface.
• Non-genuine parts. There’s a risk of purchasing a non-genuine part that can nullify any existing warranty.
• Compromising on certain features. You’re not always guaranteed to find a rose amongst lemons. You’d have to risk compromising on certain features such as colour, accessories and more.

How to Check for Damage or Problems with A Used Car

Checking for damage on a used car doesn’t have to be complicated or tricky. Following these easy steps can help make your decision that much easier.

• Check the car for physical damage. Take a walk around the car and look for any scratches, bumps, or rust. It’s important to check for this if you want to do any repairs.
• Inspect the underbody. Even if you’re not sure what you’re looking for, take a flashlight and check the underbody of the car for sand build-up and a bent chassis.
• Check for any repaint jobs. This can be a cover-up for rust or a non-genuine part.
• Get a mechanic to do a full check. They are the best people to tell you if there is anything seriously wrong with your car.
• Get a full-service history report. Accident reports and service logs indicate how the car has been maintained.

What to Do If You Find Hidden Damage or Problems After Buying the Car

Before you sign the contract of agreement, make sure you read through everything and check for clauses regarding car defects. If you find hidden damage or problems after buying the car, you have the right to claim a breach in the agreement with the dealer you purchased the car from. In doing this, you can claim monetary damages for part replacement or claim repayment of the purchase price. The dealer is required by law to state any problems, issues, or defects to the owner before a purchase is made.

How to Inspect and Maintain a Preowned Car

Car inspections are necessary, especially for a pre-owned car. A proper inspection can be done by a mechanic or yourself. All you need to do to conduct an inspection is look at the exterior, interior and underbody of the car, and use your discerning eye to call out anything that doesn’t look quite right. Once the inspection is complete, you need to worry about how you’re going to maintain the car going forward. Maintenance of the car can be done by getting minor services frequently and then getting a major service for any serious issues.

Steps to Ensure the Safety of a Preowned Car Before Buying

How safe is a preowned car? Any mechanical fault or defect can impact the safety of the used car. Follow these steps to ensure the safety of the used car you want to purchase.

1. Check the wheels and the tyres to see if anything needs replacement.
2. Inspect to see that the seatbelts are working properly and aren’t in poor condition.
3. Make sure airbags are still working and fitted properly.
4. Check to see that all warning lights work as indicated in the manual.

Buying a second-hand car doesn’t mean you’re missing out on anything. See for yourself and browse Subaru’s range of pre-loved cars that are waiting for their forever home. Visit your nearest Subaru dealership and book a test drive today.