About 10,000 used cars sold in 2021 had modified mileage

One in ten used cars sold in Spain comes from the import market

By 2021, one in seven cars on the second-hand market, which is 14% of total sales, had previously been involved in an accident or some form of damage. So far in 2022 the numbers are very similar.

According to a survey conducted by CARFAX among nearly a thousand Spanish users, more than two-thirds, 68%, would refuse
buy a used vehicle who had suffered a previous loss, but practically the remaining third would get it if it were shown to have recovered correctly.

In addition, 5% of used cars for sale in Spain showed inconsistencies in mileage, which could indicate possible manipulations to gain value. It is an illegal manipulation that can be reported to the authorities due to bad faith on the part of the seller.

Another statistic indicates that one in ten used cars sold in Spain comes from the import market, a company that is gaining popularity due to the scarcity of new cars on our borders, but also showing that
a good track record of the condition of the vehicle is essential to put an end to possible fraudulent practices that would try to hide the poor condition of a vehicle by sending it to another country.

The lack of precise information when buying a used car, especially between private individuals, is one of the main problems of this type of business. According to data collected by CARFAX in October 2021 – data for 2022 so far shows a similar trend – 75% of buyers have access
a report on the condition of the vehicle during the week leading up to their purchase, while only 10% of buyers waited to go to that history after purchasing it, an action that may be due to the need to check if they were victims of a scam, where the seller has omitted important information about your mileage, previous damage or other hidden defects.

For this reason, before buying a used car, it is also advisable to take into account a series of precautions and consider the following elements:

We must be aware of any trace of corrosion or leaks, as well as abnormal noises during start-up or circulation. It should be checked that it starts correctly both cold and hot and that it does not give off smoke or oil loss. It is important to check the cylinder head gasket and fluid reservoir, as well as the condition of the timing belts.

There should be no strong vibrations in the pedals or strange noises. If the brakes partially lock up, they may need new pads or the discs may need to be replaced. It is also necessary to check that
the parking brake it works effectively whether toggle or electronic.

To correctly test the direction of a car, turn the steering wheel all the way and pay attention to any strange noises that may occur, as well as that the steering wheel moves smoothly. Check if the steering tends to straighten itself after turning. If not, there may be something wrong with the universal joint or rack. when you circulate
in a straight linecheck that the car does not tend to go anywhere, otherwise there may be an alignment error.

Here we need to check various components of the system. The clutch should not be too hard or too soft and should make its full stroke silently. For its part, the gear change should be smooth when putting, both cold and hot, without jerking and without abnormal noise. Another important point is the revision of the suspension. While the vehicle is stationary, press on a corner of the car. If the shock absorbers are in good condition, the car should bounce once. If the car keeps going up and down, something is wrong. Another clear indication of good condition is that the tires wear evenly on both sides.

Check the tire pressure according to the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions and always do this when the tires are cold, as more than 50% of vehicles are circulating with tires without sufficient pressure. Check that the tread of the tire has a depth of more than 1.6 mm (established legal limit), which is recommended
change tires when the depth of the drawing is less than 3 mm. Check that the tires have no cuts, deformations, damage or other signs of wear.

We have to look at the color of the smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe, because depending on whether it is an indicator of possible deviations: if it is blue, then oil is being consumed, which is usually due to an excessively worn engine. If it is white, it could be due to a lack of fuel in the combustion or to condensation in the pipe, which is more common in winter. If it comes out black, that’s what it is
consume fuel in excess. As far as the chassis is concerned, this is one of the most important points to make when reviewing a used car. This requires opening the hood and checking the bumper mountings. These should be bolted on each side and should never be welded. The screw heads in the hood, on the top of the fender, should not be scratched. Finally, check the welds on the inside of the door frames.

Be sure to check all the lights on the vehicle so that they all work at the same intensity and that none of them burn out: low and high beams, turn signals, fog lights, brake lights, third brake light, and reverse light. Also make sure none of the lenses and reflectors are damaged. As for the hazard lights, when you turn on the ignition and start the car, check that on the instrument panel
it doesn’t stay on no light signal or warning message or warning of a possible malfunction. Activate the air conditioners to make sure they are working properly. It should not make noise or generate bad smells. It is important not to neglect the maintenance of the air conditioning as it can cause more serious and expensive breakdowns of the vehicle.

Check the absence of dents and corrosion and the good condition of the paint. Also make sure there are no old sheet metal repairs that indicate possible major hits in the past. Finally, open and close all doors, as well as the hood and trunk. Inspect all rubber gaskets around doors and windows to verify their condition.

To avoid deception, before purchasing a car it is important that the user knows the technical data, the administrative situation, whether the vehicle has loads,
the expiry date of the ITV…It is enough with the license plate or the frame to know the owner of a vehicle and his history via the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT).

Source: La Verdad

Ida

I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.