The price hike in the automobile industry is now common. Besides this government excises heavy import tax on automobile products even though the situation car market in Nepal is increasing at the rate of 7% yearly on average.

In recent years the second-hand car business has been gaining popularity all across the country. 

It is very difficult for normal people to afford a car in Nepal. The same car model with the same feature available in other countries is very cheap compared to Nepal.

Consequently, people here in Nepal prefer to buy second-hand cars. This is because peoples get the car at a competitive price. 

Buying a second-hand car is not easy. Firstly you need to have great knowledge of the second-hand market. Many people are becoming victims of scam activities. Some dealers and clients provide buyers with the wrong information. 

This article will guide everything about buying second-hand cars in Nepal.

Find an Authorized dealer

If you decide to buy from an offline market, first, you need to find a genuine dealer. Only the genuine dealer provides the best deal and value for money products.

Also, these dealers provide after-sale service. Certified dealers are found all across the country, providing many second-hand sale services.

These help you find the right car according to your budget with some test drives at first. They assign the car's value according to its condition, so you do not have to worry too much about the price.

But for the best, you need to do some homework before visiting the dealer. Make quick market research about the products' models, engines, and depreciation rates.

It is necessary to do much homework because old cars also can be converted into well-conditioned vehicles.

2. Buying online

Buying goods online has become common now in Nepal. However, buying a second-hand car online is not that popular because it needs heavy investment.

Some e-commerce sites currently provide second-hand care selling and buying services in Nepal. Carhamro, Hamrobazar are currently providing such services in Nepal.

For this, you need to visit their website and search for the cars listed by owners. These sites provide direct communication between buyers and car owners without a third party.

Both owner and buyer simply benefit from this method as there is no commission fee. But both need to understand the second-hand market, prices, cars condition, and legal activities.

Collect all the information about the owner cars through the e-commerce sites. It will always be better to visit the car with some technician.

This is because you might not understand cars' engines and parts, so it is better to go with a technician for safety purposes. 

3. Find the best prices

Check all marketplace before making any decision. Firstly fix your budget range and search for the model. Visit a nearby dealer and ask for a second-hand car according to your price range.

Compare that model in various automobile websites, and you will find the actual price. According to that, you can decide whether it is the best deal or not. 

Moreover, check online if another deal is available lower than that price. Here are some factors that affect cars price:

·        Scratches

·        Engine condition and leakages

·        Services history

·        Interior parts and legal documents

4. Cars history

It is another step required to be done before buying the car. It will tell you how old the car is and you will find if the offered price is appropriate for this car or not.

Try to gather all information about the car from the owner, including the servicing history. Ask if there has been an accident in the past.

Find also the spare parts replacement history, exterior parts, and paintings. It is important because the old car requires frequent servicing and increased operating charges. 

5. Engine condition:

The engine is the heart of any vehicle; it must be well-conditioned. Determining the condition is not easy because even though the engine looks fine, there might still be some internal issues and fluid leakages. Here are some important steps for checking the condition of the engine:

Check the vehicle engine oil, the main role of lubricating oil in the engine is reducing the engine's friction. The friction results in wear and tear in engine parts and increases the fuel consumption rate in vehicles.

For this, check the oil color. The brown, translucent color indicates that the oil is fresh. The milky, brunt smell with discoloring indicates an engine with some problems. 

Check for any leaks, accumulation of fluid indicates problems in engines.

Start the car for a test drive. Normally a car should start without any problems and struggle. Listen to the engine sound carefully if it is producing any knocking or pinging noises or not. 

While driving, pay attention to the car's acceleration about its speed, and engine sounds.

6. Interior parts and documents

Most people select the car's exterior design and its stunning looks as their priority. However, you definitively love its interior design and condition as time goes on.

When traveling a long distance sitting inside the car, you need a better interior environment than its gorgeous looks. 

Check seat and seat cover for any sort of tear. Its material should be of high quality and comfort. Seats filled with dust and dirt will create lots of problems in the future. It may get damaged easily due to moisture. This also tells how the owner has taken care of the car.

Besides this, check the break, gearbox, air conditioner. Verify the electric components such as lights, LCD, music devices are working fine. It saves your money in the future.

Ask the owner for all necessary documents; it will tell you whether the vehicle is being sold the first time, second, or even more.

Check car tax clearance paper to prevent further expenses in the future. Finally, manually check all the documents before making any buying decision.