When Buying A Used Car May Be The Better Choice

You may buy a used car if that's what you need, provided you can spot the fake from the genuine parts and possible issues waiting to ruin your trip

- Sutirtha Sanyal

When Faridabad-based Raman Sharma, 49, an IT professional, was posted at a remote location in Uttarakhand in 2011 for a wide area network (WAN) project, he decided to buy a used car for his daily needs there. "We had bought a new Honda City a year before my posting. My wife started using that car when I shifted location. For the initial few days, I somehow managed, but because of the remote location, treacherous terrain, and inclement weather, I decided to buy a used car." Raman sold off the car after his three year stint got over.

In India, used cars are primarily bought for servicing certain needs, including temporary usage like in the case of Raman, or to learn to drive, or, as the family's second or third car. For most people, small vehicles suffice for these needs. But, nowadays, many first-time buyers in the luxury segment also prefer a used car. The word on the street is that states adjoining Delhi are teeming with used cars, especially luxury models. Diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old are not allowed to ply in the national capital region (NCR).

Says Balbir Singh Dhillon, head of Audi India: "Buyers are typically first-time luxury car owners, young professionals, and young couples, but many families also buy pre-owned cars as the second or third family car."

Adds Shashank Srivastava, senior executive officer, marketing and sales, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, "Nowadays, we have seen a trend that customers are preferring quality used cars in the premium hatchback or entry-level sedan segment over new entry-level cars as their first car."