How Can We Identify a Car as New or Second Hand?

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Automobiles these days are durable and are made up to withstand the test of time. This makes purchasing a second-hand motor vehicle not only an economical move but a smart one as well. 

Buying a second-hand automobile can be a grim experience for many, but by keeping a few indicators in mind, it can go a lot smoother than you think. Asymmetric information is always a problem in this market where there’s always the threat of failures. Keep a cautious eye out, and it’s best to train yourself. 

You should examine the car physically as well as online. You can check all things with a VIN decoder. There are certain things you must keep in mind to determine while finalising a car to purchase. 

From Where to Buy?

You can get the automobile you’re looking for from service providers, individual vendors, dealerships and virtual resources. You can take advantage of the pre-outlets of any auto manufacturer. 

Don’t be frightened to choose another dealer if things don’t feel right. It’s crucial to decide on your budget beforehand. There’s a big chance of being swayed by the sweet-talking salesman after you get to the dealership. You should also consider all the possible costs, including insurance. 

You should ensure that the showroom or the dealer has an authorised dealership to sell the particular vehicle. 

Choosing the Right Car

Make sure you know what you’re looking for when it comes to features, specifications and the kind of automobile you wish to buy. Try to buy newer models if possible. Remember that the prices of new buses tend to table after three times of purchase. And never buy automobiles that have been discontinued. 

Checking the Condition of The Car 

The automobile should be free from any major defects. There really is no point in purchasing an automobile if it isn’t usable. 

Go the extra mile to make sure the vehicle systems like the brake, emission, lighting, engine cooling, steering and suspension are all in well-grounded condition. Doing this can save you a lot of maintenance charges in the long run. However, don’t be frightened to walk away and look for another dealer, If anything is amiss. 

Check the Vehicle History

Sometimes, a vehicle’s interior and exterior look stainless and modest. It doesn’t necessarily denote that it’s a new motor vehicle. In some cases, the vehicle can have a rough history. 

Lots of prestigious websites can give you robust history reports about your desired vehicle. Most will detail the odometer check, title information, and previous damage. 

In most cases, it might be the only thing you need to determine the vehicle’s novelty. 

The best way to check the vehicle history of any car is to use the Toyota VIN decoder. You should search the vehicle’s VIN number on different areas of the vehicle and perform a VIN lookup with the help of the Toyota VIN decoder. 

It will provide you with an authentic report of the history of the vehicle, including its accident records, theft reports, maintenance records and more. 

See Warranty Card

It takes extra effort, but it’s always better to look at the fine print. It’s a definite determinant of whether the automobile is new. Some used vehicles have the “ Certified Used Car” tag. 

The label means that the vehicle’s manufacturer warranty covers it. Nevertheless, most will have a third-party warranty. Worse, they’ve no warranty, specifically if they’re over four years old. 

Check the Mileage Accuracy

Contemporary automobiles will often go over miles without witnessing mechanical difficulties. It’s another easy method of determining an automobile’s freshness. For practicality’s sake, vehicles with low mileage but newer models are almost as good as new. 

You can use the Toyota VIN decoder to check the accuracy of the mileage of the vehicle in order to check if it is new or used. 

Check the Model of the Car 

Depending on the model of the auto, the chances of its originality fluctuates. Old car models are often second-hand since most manufacturers formerly stopped producing them. Even if it’s within the same automobile line, an aged model’s new automobiles will ultimately vanish from the market. 

Ask the dealer about the automobile’s model and make. Ensure that they include the automobile’s year of manufacturing. It’ll give you a better idea of the automobile’s current state. 

You can confirm the vehicle’s model year, manufacturing plant and other details by performing a VIN lookup. 

How to Verify the Car’s Details Online?

Although while purchasing a vehicle, the dealer provides you all the related information and associated documents for your verification, you can check and verify the provided details online. 

You just need the VIN number, that is, the vehicle identification number, of that particular vehicle. You can get either from the dealer or from the documents of the vehicle. You can even physically search for the VIN number in the car as the manufacturer has embarked it in various parts of the vehicle. 

You can find it in the door jam, on the bottom of the windshield of the car, in the door frame of the driver side seat or in the rear wheel well. You can even find it under the spare wheel. 

After getting access to the VIN number, you need to visit the Toyota VIN decoder website. You will find a search bar on the homepage. Enter the VIN number in the given space and press the Search button. 

Within a couple of minutes, you will get a full-fledged report about the vehicle. You can check the accident history, maintenance details, theft records, past photos, maintenance and safety recalls, etc. 

By analysing all these details, you can easily verify the car’s details that you are planning to buy.

Concluding Statement

Whether it’s new or second-hand, you must be smart about your purchasing decisions. Check the used car parts and determine whether they’re serviceable enough. After checking all the minute details and cross verifying them through the Toyota VIN decoder, you are ready to make the best purchase decision for your vehicle.