Tips & tricks Buying used cars

If you are looking for a new used car, there are many ways of achieving your goal. Buying used cars at your Audi dealer offers a number of benefits. Here you will receive well-maintained used cars with an optional used car guarantee.

All important checkpoints at a glance:

Paint finish
Examine your chosen car in good light conditions, looking for scratches and dents from an angle. Take a thorough look at the exterior.

Accidents
Uneven gaps and transitions on the doors, bonnet, luggage compartment lid, mudguards etc. should give you cause for suspicion. Can you find traces of extra coats of paint such as paint mist, “orange peel” or differences in colour?

Rust
Check wheel arches, underbody, exhaust.

Details
Examine the headlight glass and the exterior lights. Check the interior, the luggage compartment and the hood if it’s a convertible. Can you find excessive amounts of wear? Take your time over it.

Engine compartment
Can you see repair marks? What condition are the add-on parts in, e.g. the battery? Check oil, water and acid levels. Can you detect signs that the car has only been serviced recently?

Engine operation
Listen out for uneven or unusual engine noises such as chattering or rattling. The idle speed should be constant.

Vehicle documents

• Is there a service manual?
• Do the specifications in the vehicle registration document match those of the vehicle?
• Were the inspections and service work carried out punctually at authorised specialist workshops?
• Are the time and kilometre intervals logical?
• If repairs or conversions have been carried out, you should ask for the corresponding documentation.

Examine the registration papers (particularly the vehicle registration document) to be sure that the seller owns all selling rights to the vehicle. Ask for a power of attorney if the car is being sold by a person acting on behalf of the owner.

If optional extras and/or accessories are also to be sold with the vehicle, these should be specified in the contract and described in a supplement if necessary.

Please take the following into account at the vehicle handover:

Vehicle check
Take your time and examine your new used car. Particularly ensure that agreements already made are kept to. Check carefully whether all documents are complete and ensure that you receive a precise explanation of your new used car. Any unresolved questions should be cleared up immediately. If you acquire your used car from an Audi dealer: ask to be introduced to your contact partner in After Sales.

Payment
Pay by cash if possible – cheques represent a security risk for sellers and are often not accepted. Payment should ideally take place at your bank – this means that you do not have to take any risks carrying larger amounts of cash around. Make sure that you receive the vehicle registration document and the keys when handing over the purchase sum.

Enjoy driving your new car!