What to Pay Attention to When Buying a Car from an Auto Trader
3 Answers
Things to pay attention to when buying a car: 1. Check if the accompanying documents are complete and sufficient. These include the certificate of conformity, product manual, invoice, warranty card, etc., especially verifying the certificate of conformity by cross-checking each item. 2. Carefully confirm whether the car is a display model, stock car, test drive car, faulty car, or accident car. 3. Check the manufacturing date on the certificate of conformity and the engine nameplate, as well as the inventory list of the 4S store, to see the production date and arrival date, and determine if it is a stock car. 4. Listen to the engine sound to see if it is deep, if there are any abnormal noises, and if the vibration or shaking is excessive. 5. Inspect the overall appearance and paint of the car for scratches, dents, or color differences.
I just picked up my car from an auto trading store and summarized a few pitfalls to avoid: First, always negotiate the price to the lowest possible. The ex-factory price at auto trading stores is usually lower than at 4S shops, but be wary of them making up the difference elsewhere, such as high handling fees, mandatory decorations, or license plate fees. Second, verify the vehicle's source by asking the salesperson to show the manufacturer's purchase order to avoid buying cross-region transferred stock cars or transport-damaged vehicles. Third, you must see the original certificate of conformity before payment, as many dealers mortgage it to banks, causing delays of up to half a month. Fourth, when inspecting the car, focus on three dates: the production date on the windshield, the tire production week, and the manufacturing month on the door nameplate—if it exceeds six months, it's a stock car. Fifth, the contract must explicitly state 'no additional charges,' and freebies should be listed. Bring a car-savvy friend when picking up the car, and test the lights, air conditioning, and transmission before signing.
When buying a car from an auto trader, focus on documentation and after-sales service. First, request to see the Vehicle Conformity Certificate and purchase invoice to verify if the VIN matches across all three documents. Secondly, clarify the maintenance policy upfront—while cars sold by traders can be serviced at brand-authorized 4S shops, the first-service card may not be included, so confirm this in advance. Opt for corporate bank transfers for payment and ensure receipts bear the company seal. If financing, first verify the credentials of the financial provider, as many third-party lenders partnered with traders charge higher interest than banks. On delivery day, don’t rush to drive off—have the salesperson accompany you to a nearby gas station; some unscrupulous dealers hand over cars with the fuel light on. Check tires by removing stones to inspect wear—a friend learned this the hard way after discovering abnormal tread wear within two days of driving.
