Date Published: October 2, 2020

Are you interested in buying a BMW but a brand new car does not fit your budget? Here’s what to check for when you buy a used BMW.

Three steps to consider when buying a used BMW

Do your research

Doing your research is the most important step in buying any preloved car. BMW has a variety of different models with their own trim levels. The trim levels may differ depending on the year of the model.

When you are planning on buying a used BMW, you need to think about the depreciation of the car. Most cars lose their value quickly but, the more expensive the car is, the longer it takes to lose value.

Check the vehicle's history

Another important thing to do when purchasing a car is to check the history of the vehicle. A vehicle history report (VHR) will tell you about the previous owner’s accidents, warranties, service, and possible liens. You can search online for a free vehicle history report, but you will need a vehicle identification number (VIN).

Read the vehicle’s warranty. If the car does have a warranty, find out what is included in the warranty and if it is transferable to the next owner.

Get the best deal

If there is a specific car model that you are interested in, look up the real market value of that car. The market value will tell you what other car buyers are paying for pre-owned BMWs.

Tips for buying a used BMW

Used car checklist: what to look for when buying a second-hand car

It Is extremely important that you take a good look at the history of the vehicle. When looking at the car report, keep in mind that a car report only mentions things that were reported. This means that even though it is wise to carefully look through the report, you should not fully rely on it.

Buying a used BMW? How to inspect a used BMW?

When you are buying a used BMW from a car dealership, they are required by law to give you certain information about the vehicle. You need to make sure that you watch out for any mechanical issues with the vehicle.

Ask them what parts might have been serviced or replaced recently and pay close attention to problems with things like the cooling system and its components, including the water pump and thermostat. It is also necessary that you test drive the vehicle to make sure that there are no problems.

Ultimate guide to picking a used BMW

Reliability

Buying a used BMW means that you will have a car that is reliable, regardless of the model. With the correct maintenance, BMWs are very reliable.

Budget

It is important that you plan ahead and know how much you will spend. Like other cars, some BMW models will cost more than others. You also need to consider other costs besides buying the car itself, there are costs such as; buying a service plan and running the car.

Model

When buying a car, you need to think about what you need to get out of the car. It could be luxury, comfort, space or simply the need to get around, there definitely is a model for everyone. Here are the different types of car categories to choose from:

Family cars
Sports cars
Hatchbacks
Estate cars

Author: Omega Fumba

Date Published: October 2, 2020

Due to our crippling economy, many South Africans are keeping their cars for longer periods of time. A research published by the Automobile Association (AA) looks at how the economy influences people’s decisions around car ownership.

Why South Africans are holding on to their cars for longer than before

“A good extended or pre-owned mechanical warranty is a smart investment to make, as it gives you the opportunity to be fully prepared for non-wear and tear damage to your vehicle’s engine, transmission, drive train, electrical system, turbo assembly and loads more” says Ricardo Coetzee, the head of Auto & General.

Coetzee also stated that it may be a good financial move to keep your car longer to save on car repayments, but with older vehicles there is a higher risk of having a mechanical breakdown. More than 90% of South Africans have said that they have chosen to keep their cars for longer because of the current economic state. In a research conducted by Automobile Association (AA), just over 40% of South Africans say that they are keeping their cars for between 5 and 10 years. And, just under 35% have stated that they are keeping their cars for over 10 years.

There is a need for better maintenance of vehicles. “Proper, proactive maintenance is key to protect you against a mechanical breakdown, massive expenses, an accident or worse. In addition, a good extended (or pre-owned) warranty / service plan could come in very handy when it comes to the replacement of components that were damaged by something other than wear and tear”, says Ricardo Coetzee

14 car parts most likely to fail

Auto & General(AA) and the Tyre, Equipment, Parts Association(TEPA), have put together a list of car parts that are most likely to fail on higher mileage cars. They have also advised that car owners should inspect and maintain these car parts on a regular basis. Here is the list of car parts:

Timing belts
Brake system
Brake hoses or brake system seals
Brake fluid
Radiators and Radiator hoses
Alternators
Water pumps
Shock absorbers
CV joints
Clutches
Engine and gearbox seals
Starter motors
Oil pumps
Engine and gearbox mountings
Wheel bearings
Universal joints

A growing number of South Africans are keeping their cars for more than 10 years

Maintenance

The research conducted by the Automotive Association shows us that only 20% of car owners have maintenance plans for their cars, whilst just under 50 percent of car owners have stated that they pay for maintenance out of their own pocket.

David Chard, the managing director of AA Warranties says that too many people rely on the hope of their car not breaking down, and when their car does break down, they prefer to pay from their own pocket instead of having a solid financial plan in place. Chard says that it is easy and budget-friendly to get a service or maintenance plan.

Important steps vehicle owners must take to keep their vehicles running for longer

Here are a few important steps from the MD of AA Warranties on how to keep your vehicle running for longer:

If you are starting a vehicle from cold, allow it to idle for five minutes for the oil to circulate
Avoid speeding, turning and braking
Try not to over-rev your vehicle
Attend to warning lights immediately; don’t think these will go away in time, they may indicate serious issues
Regularly check tyre pressure. Do this when you stop to refuel. Also check your oil when refuelling
Check wheel alignment and balancing every six months, especially after extensive travel
Replace serviceable items (e.g. brake pads, fan belts) according to the service schedule of your vehicle
Request the parts which were replaced during a service to ensure they were in fact replaced
Stick to the servicing schedule of your vehicle; being proactive about your vehicle’s well-being is part of being a responsible car owner
Consider a mechanical warranty to provide ‘medical aid’ cover for your vehicle.