Today, with online platforms, you can avail of 360-degree solutions under the same roof.
When you decide to buy a car, you have several options to consider. You may have a particular brand in mind, or you may want to research into all the top brands like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and Honda. It is not only Make and Model which are important to judge the performance of a car, but you also have to decide whether you would buy a brand new model or look into the used cars market.
The market for second-hand cars has been growing fast in India. In 2019, almost 115.2 million units of used cars were sold globally which will be 275.3 million by the end of 2030. This market is growing at a CAGR of 8.7% during the assessment period 2020-2030. India is one of the prime markets of pre-owned cars where the expected CAGR is 15.12% for the assessment period 2020-2025. The good news for the pre-owned cars market is that the organized sector is evolving fast with a projected CAGR of 22.72% for the projected period 2020-2025.
Gone are the days when you had to travel far across the city and spend months to find a reliable source. Today, with online platforms, you can avail of 360-degree solutions under the same roof. So, be it finding the top-notch used vehicle, certification, or vehicle reports such as Vehicle history, you get all the services from a single provider.
A used car is a car that has had one or more retail owners. Retail owners mean the owners who have no intention to resell the car they buy but to use it for domestic or commercial purposes. A lightly used car is a vehicle that has not been driven for more than 30,000 Kms and is having all the vital parameters in the right order. Normally, lightly used second-hand cars are not more than 2-3 years old and not taken to the road much.
The organized online platforms have eased the selection and buying process of used cars easily and fast. They examine the cars on several parameters and certify their present condition that helps the buyers take the decision quickly.
According to RTO rules and regulations of the country, a car that has not been registered with any RTO in India is considered to be a new car. You can buy a new car from the dealers of different brands manufacturing and marketing four-wheelers in India like Maruti Suzuki, Honda, Hyundai, Renault, Mahindra, Tata, etc.
Other than your home, a four-wheeler perhaps is the most expensive purchase you will make. Everyone wishes to have a nice car in their garage but managing the finances should also be in the mind. It is obvious, unlike a house, that a car is not an asset whose value increases with time. The benefit of buying a second-hand car is that you end up saving money on your purchase. With a little bit of research and knowledge, you can easily determine the reliability of second-hand cars. Let us have a look:
Consider a physical inspection – Ask for a test drive and if possible, take a reliable mechanic with you. A test drive will help you understand the condition of the car like the condition of its breaks, clutch, tyres, door locks, shockers, steering, etc.
Ask the seller clearly – Ask the technical specifications directly from the seller. You can research those specifications beforehand online to cross-check the specifications provided by the seller.
Follow the online reviews – The reviews available for the same types or models of cars will help you understand the reliability of the cars.
Read online reports – Another authentic way of determining the reliability of a car is by reading the online reports available in different forums and social media platforms. You can easily search those reliability reports on popular search engines with keywords like “Reliability of Maruti Suzuki Alto”.
Purchase from an online platform – This is the best solution for you when you are looking for a pre-owned car. You can find the vehicle specification in detail including complete information about its histories like its current body and engine conditions, year of manufacturing, current fuel efficiency, kilometers it has already run, insurance and ownership status, accessories attached, and many other aspects. The company offers top-notch solutions for used cars that are listed for their worth and with detailed sets of information, potential buyers can make an informed decision.
These are the factors to check the reliability of any car. However, to get a real-life example let's study new vs used cars. If we pick the same car model- one is new and the other is used and do the analysis you will get a clear picture.
| Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 VXi (2021) | Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 VXi (2015) |
| Ex-showroom Price: Rs. 3.90 lakh On Road Price: Rs. 4.28 lakh |
Price: Rs. 1.85 lakh |
| Reliability Quotient | 35000 Km driven |
| Brand-New | Second Owner Selling Full Circle Trust Score: 7.1 Transparency – 4.3 Seller Score – 7 Health Score – 7.6 Pricing Score – 9.4 |
| Mileage: 22.05 Kmpl | Mileage: 24.7 Kmpl |
| Engine: 796 cc | Engine: 796 cc |
| Transmission: Manual | Transmission: Manual |
| Max Power: 47 bhp | Max Power: 48 bhp |
| Max Torque: 69 Nm | Max Torque: 69 Nm |
| Wheel Size: 12 Inch | Wheel Size: 12 Inch |
| Seats: 5 seater | Seats: 5 seater |
The price of a used Alto is much lower that than of a brand new Alto, plus the car has depreciated its value in the last 6 years, but not the quality. So, it will be great to choose a reliable used car over a brand new one.
Today, both new cars and pre-owned cars are being sold on online platforms, through offline and online advertising, personal contacts, and second-hand car dealers. However, buying a second-hand car is a tricky job, especially when you are directly dealing with the seller or dealer physically.
Here are a few tips to buy a reliable used car:
Set the budget first – If you do not fix the budget, there remains a high chance that you will end up spending more than your maximum range. While fixing the budget, keep in mind certain allied factors that may increase your spending on the car like the status of the insurance and pollution certificate.
The resale value of the car – You need to determine what could be the resale value of the vehicle in case you plan to sell it after 2-3 years or earlier. You can access the depreciation chart of the respective vehicle to find out the resale value of the particular branded car.
The current condition of the car – Obviously, you must check the current condition of the car. Better take a reliable mechanic with you at the time of test drive.
KMs run – Mark how many kilometers it has already covered. If it is more than 30,000 Kms, be mindful of the technical specifications.
Reviews and feedback – Go through the reviews and feedbacks of the same model online. You can find reviews of both new and old cars of the same model on different websites.
Buying a used car has multiple advantages, as listed below:
Lower price tag – Price is the most important part of the used car market. The higher new car price tends to put off potential buyers from buying their favorite car. However, with the used car options, they can buy the same branded car model at a lesser price albeit in top condition.
Less depreciation – A new car losses thousands of rupees just the moment you drive it off the dealer’s house. It’s true, that’s the reason second-hand cars are a better deal. The rate of depreciation lowers drastically when a car is 2-3 years old.
Lower insurance premium - The insurance premiums of old cars are lower than the new cars. It also saves some bucks.
Cheaper accessories and spare parts – Servicing charge for an old car are lower since it is an older version of a new model. Also, you can get compatible spare parts with ease to replace any faulty car component.
No registration cost – As it is already registered, you have not incurred any expenses for this purpose.
Less investment in accessories – As most second-hand cars come with all necessary and some luxurious accessories attached, your expenses here are also saved.
New cars smell and feel great, but how much that smell and feel worth? Going beyond the ex-showroom price and considering the on-road price and the cost of all accessories that you need to arrange the car with accessories, you will find a used car in good condition a much profiting deal. So, go ahead and check out the plenty of top-notch used vehicles listed on online platforms such as Droom to enjoy a seamless buying experience.
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| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Volkswagen |
Germany |
| #2 |  Toyota |
Japan |
| #3 |  Stellantis |
Netherlands |
| #4 |  Mercedes-Benz Group |
Germany |
| #5 |  Ford Motor |
United States |
| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Michelin |
France |
| #2 |  Bridgestone |
Japan |
| #3 |  Continental |
Germany |
| #4 |  Goodyear |
United States |
| #5 |  Sumitomo |
Japan |
