Purchase of a second-hand car.
By commencing the purchase of a second-hand car, please read the documentation of the chosen vehicle, i.e.:
• with a registration document,
• the invoice for its purchase,
• insurance documents,
• car service book.
It's worth finding out, under what conditions the vehicle worked, whether it was operated by one owner, what was his daily mileage, what goods was transported and on what routes.
When buying a second-hand car, another company or on the car market, or from an advertisement, the basic plausibility check is the vehicle identification number and the engine number.
An international system of car identification tags has been introduced since the mid-1970s – VIN (abbreviation of the French for the vehicle identification number).
The vehicle identification number in the VIN system is determined by a 17-character designation made of letters and numbers. It is obligatory for all vehicles, including vans.
The code system in the car identification markings makes it possible to ascertain, or elements such as e.g.: engine, transmission, car trim etc.. conform to the marking, or whether the car was converted.
In the VIN system, successive designations define: producer's, car structure, type of bodywork (np. a box van or a box truck), type of engine, engine variation, drive system. The remaining characters inform about the year of production of the vehicle and the next serial number of the car.
Each manufacturer has specific rules regarding appearance, deployment, the manner of execution and location of identification markings on the bodywork or frame.
According to the VIN requirements, the vehicle identification number should be permanently stamped on the body or frame in a place that is accessible and cannot be changed during use.
Depending on the manufacturer, the identification marks of the car may be: knocked out, extruded, cut and fired.
Devices ensuring the repeatability of characters are used to apply the vehicle identification number.
The identification number is always confirmed on the nameplate. Knowing this system of factory car labeling is important especially when purchasing used cars.
Further, often an underestimated activity when buying a car, is the correct wording of the purchase contract. The seller is responsible – in accordance with the Civil Code, under the warranty – for the declared technical condition of the car, also for disadvantages, which were unknown to the buyer. However, it is exempt from liability under the warranty, if the buyer knew about the defect at the time of the conclusion of the contract.
The technical condition of individual teams requires examination. It is also compulsory to test the vehicle start and conduct a test drive on roads with different surfaces, so that the state of the vehicle's suspension can be checked.