How to maintain a second hand car in India in 2024

Used-cars, while often less expensive than their new counterparts, require a lot of attention in the repairs and maintenance area. While buying a used car in itself may be a hassle, a well-maintained used car can mean a better resale value for the previous owner, and can spend a longer time serving its new owner without problems.  If you’ve ever wondered how to maintain a second hand car, let’s go over a few car maintenance tips and engine maintenance tips that will help you keep your used car running great.

Inspecting the Car Post-Purchase

It is always a good idea to have a professional take a look at the car you intend to buy via a pre-delivery inspection. In cases where this is not possible, it may be a good idea to examine the car after the purchase. This could help identify areas where the car may require maintenance and repairs, and help avoid situations where the car breaks down, causing unnecessary hassles. 

Conduct a Comprehensive Inspection

Evaluating the vehicle on multiple parameters such as exterior, interior, underbody, and the condition of vital parts such as mechanical, and electrical components is a must to ensure safe and optimal operation. If the vehicle is accompanied by its service history documents, it would be a good idea to check when the last service was conducted, whether in kilometers run, or time lapsed. Vehicle fluids are essential in maintaining the health of the engine, and replacing them before they wear out goes a long way in keeping the car in great shape.

Similarly, components that transfer the power of the engine to the road, such as suspension and shock absorbers, tyres, control arms, axles, etc, also require a thorough examination. Periodic maintenance of these components ensures the car remains reliable for longer periods of time. Additionally, components such as the brakes, rotors, and drums should also be examined as they are the stopping power of the vehicle. Over time, these components lose their performance because of wear and tear, and replacing parts like brake pads, or repairing brake rotors, prolong the life of the vehicle.

Servicing and Repairs

Timely replacement of engine oil, the key component that provides lubrication to the internal components of the engine, is crucial. Along with the oil, replacing the oil filter during a service also ensures no damaging components, such as small shards of metal from the engine that are generated during normal operation, get re-circulated, keeping the engine clean. 

Another core fluid within the engine is the coolant, tasked with ensuring that the engine operates at optimal temperatures. Engines that overheat can have substantial wear and tear, especially to rubber components that ensure liquids stay within their designated compartments, such as O-rings. An engine that operates within the temperature limit can last much longer, provided timely maintenance is carried out. 

The internal combustion engine works on the concept of ignition, i.e. setting fire to fuel in order to create a bang. Spark plugs are the key components responsible for the ignition process within the engine, and require timely cleanup, or replacement, depending on their condition. Having bad or worn out plugs could result in sluggish performance, slow acceleration, knocking, and increased fuel consumption, all situations that can be avoided with timely maintenance of the spark plugs. 

Regular Maintenance Checklist

While inspecting a used car post purchase is a must, it is also recommended to follow periodic maintenance, as older cars may require more attention. Replacing fluids or parts within the set timeframe or travel distance set by manufacturers is a good practice with both new and used cars. However, getting a used car checked by a neighborhood mechanic earlier may help eliminate critical problems before they arise. The following is a list of regular maintenance that should be performed:

• Engine oil replacement/top-up
• Coolant replacement/top-up
• Oil filter replacement
• Spark plug clean-up/replacement
• Air filter clean-up/replacement
• Fuel filter clean-up/replacement
• Transmission fluid replacement/top-up
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Brake pad replacement

• Wheel alignment/balancing

   

A professional mechanic will also be able to guide you on the remaining life of components such as shock absorbers, springs, control arms, axles, bearings, bushings and more. While not part of regular maintenance schedules, these parts should also be greased up or oiled in regular intervals to maintain smooth functioning. 

Essential Engine Care Components

As mentioned earlier, regular oil and oil filter changes go a long way in elongating the life of the engine. But, engine maintenance for used cars can have additional steps, such as engine de-carbonization, throttle body cleaning, spark plug wire/spark coil replacement, and more. 

Additionally, the head gasket, which is a vital component of the engine, should be examined for leaks or cracks. This can be done by checking for air leaks in the coolant system, or the engine oil becoming milky white. When the head gasket fails, the car’s exhaust system will also start emitting white or grey smoke, and fluid levels in the engine will drop significantly. Needless to say, driving the engine on low fluid levels can be extremely damaging to the engine and degrade its life rapidly.

Tyre Maintenance Tips & Tricks

Tyres are responsible for a plethora of operations, such as putting the power down on the road, maneuvering the car according to the driver’s steering inputs, and bringing the car to a halt when the brakes are applied. Proper tyre maintenance can ensure they can perform well even in stressful situations.

Poorly maintained tyres can lead to bursts or blowouts, which can lead to severe consequences, such as a crash. One of the easiest ways to maintain your tyres is to have them inflated at manufacturer's levels at all times. Wheel alignment is extremely crucial to maintaining tyre life, as a car with misaligned wheels  will cause uneven wear on the tyres. Additionally, it is recommended to get your tyres rotated from time to time to ensure even wear among all tyres. 

Once your tyre treads are low, it is best to replace them. Tyres usually last between 30 and 50 thousand kilometers, depending on how you drive and the design of the tyre’s rubber compound. However, even if your car is not driven often, you should change your tyres if they are more than 5 years old. The rubber compound in your tyres will become brittle with age, causing cracks and breaks, even without use, and will not be reliable if they are too old.

Maintaining Your Car’s Battery Health

Car batteries are an important component, as without them, starting up your car would become a difficult process. Car batteries are charged by the car’s alternator during the vehicle’s operation, and are usually between 12.4 to 14.4 volts. You can check your car’s battery health with a volt meter, and if it is within these limits, the battery is good. 

However, if the voltage is lower, you should check for the water level within the cells. If there are no obvious indicators of anything wrong, it may be time to replace the battery. On the other hand, if the voltage is higher than the recommended levels, you should have a professional take a look at your alternator’s cutout mechanism, which stops the charging when the battery has reached full capacity. A battery that overcharges will not last very long, and can also damage the electrical components of your car with higher than required voltage. 

Keeping the Interior and Exterior in Shape

Keeping your car looking great from the inside out is also a great way to sustain its value. There are plenty of maintenance activities that can be carried out for interior and exterior components to keep them in good shape:

Maintaining the Exterior:

• Washing and cleaning
• Rubbing, compounding and polishing
• Paint correction
• Wax or ceramic coating

• Paint Protection Film (PPF)

   

Maintaining the Interior:

• Vacuuming the seats and carpets
• Using a shampoo and extractor / dry cleaning
• Cleaning the headliner
• Using an ozone machine
• Using seat repair kits for leather seats

Staying Updated with Service Records

Maintaining a log of the vehicle’s services is a great way to keep track of when parts were replaced/repaired. This log will also help build trust and authenticity if you want to sell the car in the future. A proper maintenance log can also help professionals determine the life of vehicle components, along with a visual inspection, to understand when parts may need repairs/replacing. Running maintenance before a catastrophic breakdown can help avert huge repair bills.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Neglecting timely maintenance can often lead to huge repair costs at a later stage, so taking a proactive approach can often help keep your car running well for longer. Here’s a list of what to do, and not to do, in regard to your used car’s maintenance.

When to Seek Professional Help

Common problems such as misfires from the engine that cause knocking, or low air pressure in the tyres require a visit to the mechanic.  Whenever your car drives a little poorly than it usually does, it is a good idea to drive the car to your nearest mechanic for an inspection. However, there are certain situations in which the car must be taken to a professional sooner. Your car’s instrument cluster features many warning  lights, which can switch on when the on board computer detects issues. These dashboard lights are a warning that something critical may go wrong, and in such cases, the car should be taken to the professional as soon as possible.
 

Conclusion

Second hand car maintenance may seem more complex than a new car, but if done periodically, it can elongate the car’s life. Regular oil changes, spark plug cleanup, waxing and polishing, tyre maintenance, etc can keep your car looking and feeling good from the inside out, also helping you to sustain its value.