Experts: there are hidden defects in many second-hand cars; how to avoid buying a pig in a poke?
Moller Auto experts, representing the Volkswagen and Audi brands, say that used cars with hidden defects that are impossible to detect without the help of specialists are still very common on the Baltic market. They point out that the most common cars that come to dealership workshops are recently purchased used vehicles that, on inspection, reveal serious past damage and diligently concealed defects. Signs of this include a coat of paint that is too thick on the body or individual parts, missing airbags, etc.
Dishonest dealers carefully hide car defects and ‘misrepresent’ mileage figures
Volkswagen and Audi experts point out that the most common situation is people buying a defective second-hand car and falling into the trap of unscrupulous dealers, because they simply cannot see the defects. Dishonest sellers will always try hard to make sure that the product looks as good as new, hiding damage to the car’s engine, undercarriage, body, etc. And you can find out what the condition of the car really is only later, once you take it to the workshop.
Matīss Gibolis, sales manager for Moller Auto in the Baltics, noted: ‘One of the most popular tricks for hiding problems is reducing the mileage indicator readings. For example, a car has 230,000 kilometres on the odometer when it is sold, but a technical inspection reveals that the actual mileage is around 400,000 kilometres. This means that the car is also in a condition that is twice as bad as what the seller promised, as is spent so much more time on the road. If the odometer readings are tampered with, you also can’t determine when the car’s braking system needs servicing, so that it’s kept in good working order. These cases are usually detected late, after the car has already been serviced by a mechanic.’
His observations show that unscrupulous sellers have become more sophisticated. The experience so far shows that it is not just the tampered-with mileage readings that are found when a used car is inspected at a service workshop. There have been cases of cars sold that had been restored after an accident, with the interior and body looking almost like new. It is only later, after more in-depth checks, that the restoration of the ‘new’ car did not involve the methods determined by the manufacturer. For example, damaged load-bearing structures could be repaired instead being replaced with new ones, and fake airbags could be installed instead of proper new ones. Unfortunately, an inexperienced motorist cannot detect these faults, which require in-depth diagnostics. But most worryingly, such vehicles pose a significant risk to the safety of their drivers and passengers.
Gibolis pointed out that another very common type of fraud that goes undetected without thorough diagnostics is the disabling of on-board eco-features, such as particulate filters (DPF) and AdBlue systems on diesel cars, which are disabled or removed altogether. In cars with high mileage, these systems are worn out and need replacing, but because this is expensive and unprofitable for dishonest sellers, they put up cars for sale without these systems.
What should you keep in mind to avoid buying a problem car?
Everything may look fine, but the car industry is advancing so fast these days that people without expert knowledge in automotive and electronics fields, as well as a whole range of tools, simply cannot fully verify the condition of the car they are buying. The safest way to buy a used car is to have it checked first by a certified workshop with competent technicians.
‘When you buy a used car from an official dealer, it will already have passed all the necessary tests and will be roadworthy. However, you cannot be 100% sure when buying a used car from an unofficial seller or directly from the owner, so it is advisable to first take the car to a certified workshop that offers a pre-purchase inspection service. As part of it, the car will undergo a full technical inspection, checking its history, technical components, engine, suspension, paint coat thickness, and other aspects, making it possible for the buyer to make an informed purchasing decision. This is safer than the usual test drive that most used car sellers offer,’ Gibolis said.
When should you refuse buying a used car?
According to the expert, the truth about whether a used car is hiding more than the seller is telling you isn’t hard to uncover. Dishonest car sellers will never agree to a buyer taking the car to a workshop for a full technical inspection. Honest sellers, in contrast, will sell a used car in good condition or be open about its technical shortcomings, allowing a full service check.