4 red flags when buying a car

For most of us, buying a car is a major decision – that’s why you don’t want to be taken for a ride when you shop for one! From mileage tampering to non-existent sales, unscrupulous used car dealers have been known to take advantage of unsuspecting buyers. They are the last thing you want to deal with when you’re making a decision, so how do you identify a bad egg and make sure you walk away with a car that is as good as new? Here are 4 red flags to look out for and what you can do if you encounter them.

Pressure tactics

The biggest and most obvious red flag is pressure tactics. If you feel like you’re being rushed to make any decision or pressured to pay more, then it’s time to take a step back.

Some tactics include asking customers to visit showrooms almost immediately, with promises that a specific car will be at the nearest showroom. Usually, salesmen might also subtly threaten that the car might be sold if they hesitate to come down ASAP.

Pressure tactics also continue at the showroom, with salesmen reminding customers how popular the car is and how urgently they need to get the car. This creates time pressure so the customer may rush into an unwise decision and buy the car.

These tactics put a lot of pressure on the customer who may give in and decide to visit the dealership. Making a snap decision is never a good idea, especially if you’re made to feel like you’re missing out on a suspiciously good deal.

Suspicious price adjustments

You’ve finally found the right car for you and are finalising the agreement. You look at the final number and it’s…higher than what you saw on the website. And it’s not just because they rounded it up to the nearest dollar – it’s higher by several hundred to thousands of Ringgit! And when you ask your salesperson what happened, he points to a column of fees that includes:

• PUSPAKOM Inspection fee
• Administration fees
• Warranty
• Road tax
• Service fee
• Loan processing fee
• Ownership transfer
• Stamp duties
• Delivery fee

Ouch! These hidden fees can easily cause your buying price to balloon beyond your budget, so keep an eye out for them! But it can get worse. If you see bogus fees like dealer preparation fees, loan payment fees, advertising fees and market adjustment fees it’s a sure sign they are trying to milk all they can from you.

At Carro, what you see is what you get – meaning it’s 100% transparent pricing. There are no hidden fees, no admin fees and no last-minute surprise fees. That’s how you walk away feeling like a winner with a Carro Certified car.

Read more: What do you get when you buy a Carro Certified car?

A price too good to be true

Everyone wants to score a good deal. But as the saying goes: if it is too good to be true, it probably is. So if you see a dramatically underpriced car (that says the price is “all-in!”), it likely always comes with a catch. The first possibility is that the car could have serious problems they are hiding from you. Or worse, you could be part of a scam. In just the first 5 months of 2021, Malaysia reported over RM5.6 million in losses from car scams alone.

Read more: 7 things you must check before buying a used car

That’s why it’s important to do your research. Even if you’re shopping with a reputable dealer, a second opinion never hurts! Remember, a good deal on a car doesn’t just mean a low price, it includes warranties, assurances, and great follow up service even after you’ve bought a car.

No test drives

Test drives are crucial for assessing the car’s roadworthiness and whether it is the right car for you. You don’t want to buy a car and only realise the seat does not agree with your back. So if you are denied a test drive, it is the biggest of red flags. They could be hiding some fault or another from you, which can range from engine trouble, uncomfortable seats or hidden damage. If they say you can test drive the car after you agree to buy, you should probably make your way out of the dealership ASAP.

Read more: What to check on a test drive

What you can do

When encountering these sales tactics, the best thing you can do is step away. If you really like the car, you can still consider buying it. Just take some time to decide. Sleep on it for a few days and if it still feels right, you can go ahead and buy the car! You can also ask a trusted friend to review the documents to ensure no funny business is going on.

Read more: Tips to buy cars the smart way

All in all, buying a car is already a stressful process. But with these tips, you can spot the red flags early and better protect yourself and your wallet from untrustworthy dealers.

You deserve a fuss-free, transparent car-buying experience at Carro! Take your time to view our vast inventory of Carro Certified cars that are rigorously inspected and refurbished to be As Good As New. Carro Certified means each car comes with a 160-point inspection, a 12-month warranty on the engine and gearbox and a 5-day money back guarantee! Best of all, Carro Certified cars are guaranteed to have no mileage tampering and no major accidents, fire and flood damage.

And that’s how you own a car that is As Good As New. Test drive a Carro Certified car today!