While the novel Coronavirus is still out on the loose, the chances of getting infected are very high. During this crucial time, when the need of the hour is to carry out extensive care and precautions, here are a few safety measures you must follow during COVID-19 while buying a second-hand car:

Second-hand Car Buying Tips: Precautions While Buying A Used Car In India

It is essential to take precautions before buying a used car during these unprecedented times. The following are things to check before buying a used car in India:

1. Prefer online booking

One significant best car buying advice is to prefer online car purchase bookings over conventional bookings if you plan to buy a pre-owned car. Due to the ongoing pandemic and the advancement of modern technology, this precaution while buying a used car in India will be very easy for you to carry out. Reputable sites like AutoBest Emperio (ABE) have adapted to modern needs and accept online booking for cars & they offer premium car services to keep the cars safe & sanitised. So if you are sure about the car you would like to purchase, you can buy the car just like any other thing you buy online. This safety measure offers you zero contact transaction options, preventing you from getting infected.

2. Choose your dealership carefully.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, it is no hidden fact that the whole country is divided into different zones according to the number of cases existing in that area. To avoid contact with the disease in any way, it is advised that you choose your dealer wisely. Avoid the pre-owned car dealer residing in a hotspot area instead of dealing with those from the orange or green areas. The containment zones list is one of the most important things to check before buying a second-hand car during the covid times.

3. Doorstep test drive

Test drives are an essential step that you should not skip out on before buying a car. It gives you the actual feel of the car and its features. During the COVID-19 pandemic, if you are planning to buy a second-hand car, as a safety measure, it is advised that you opt for a doorstep test drive. Home-based test drives are not new and have been included in dealerships for ages now. 

When the car arrives, make sure there is a plastic wrap on the driver’s seat before you step into the car. And keep a sanitiser or disinfectant handy with you. Ensure to disinfect all the surfaces common touch points like the steering wheel, gear knob, door handle, etc. This is one of the most crucial used car buying tips.

4. Ask the dealer for precautionary measures.

If you plan to pay a visit to the pre-owned car dealer to carry out a negotiation for the car, as a precautionary measure, do not forget to talk to the dealer beforehand about the precautions they are taking to reduce the spread of the disease. Make sure to ask questions regarding the health of the dealer and their staff and the sanitisation of the car you are willing to pay a visit to. 

Your first instinct should be to avoid visiting in the first place, but if you are not left with any other option, make sure your dealer follows all the protocols laid down by the World Health Organization. 

5. Self-awareness

No matter how hard we may try to avoid going out or coming in contact with others, at the end of the day, it is next to impossible for us to not carry out our day to day activities. Similarly, while buying your second-hand car, you may carry out a conversation over the phone regarding the purchase, but you have to come face-to-face to complete the transaction at the end of the day. Therefore, to avoid getting infected, make sure to wear a mask and gloves at all times, follow social distancing strictly by standing 6 feet apart, and keep a sanitiser or disinfectant handy at all times.

6. Cashless payment

Another safety measure to follow while buying a second-hand car is to prefer cashless payment methods. From the most trivial purchases to a significant investment like buying a car, go cashless. Use of online payment modes like NEFT or RTGS is advised as a healthy alternative to cash payments because they minimise coming in contact.

7. Ask for digital paperwork.

When the whole world is running towards contactless transactions, another central process that encourages contact while buying a second-hand car from a dealer is paperwork. As a precaution, for used car shopping in India, it is advised that you ask your dealer to provide you with a digital contract in place of a hard copy. 

It is important to mention not making this precaution a process where the two of you share the same device to carry out the transaction. Instead, ask the dealer to email you the document, and then you can reply with the signed document attached.

Take the precautions mentioned above while buying a used car in India. Then, follow these used cars buying tips & buy safely during covid. If you want tobuy a car online, Autobest is the one-stop solution of buying/selling second-hand luxury cars in New Delhi.