Tag: MOT

Should You Buy a New or Used Car Imperial Select

Car

You want to buy a new car, but you need to decide: new or used car? It can be a tough decision as there are great pros and cons for both new and used cars. This discussion of the pros and cons of new and used cars should help to clarify any questions you have.

First of all, lets look at buying a new car

The Pros:

When you buy a new car, you can be quite specific in what you want in terms of the colours, features, even the amount of doors (three or five door). You can have the vehicle personalised to suit the exact car you want. You are the first owner of the vehicle, so you wont have any questions about the vehicles history, or have to worry about it being a stolen car. A manufacturers warranty comes standard with all new cars, so any mechanical damage your car may suffer while under warranty will be taken care of. Finance deals, servicing deals and other perks like roadside assistance may be included in the buying price. You will also be exempt from having to take the car for an MOT test for the first three years, meaning you have one less thing to stress about in your busy life!

The Cons:

New cars are expensive. Theres no getting around it. Having the luxury of choosing the clour anf other features means you will pay for it. Also, the luxury of owning a never-before owned car means that as soon as you drive the car out of the dealership, a hefty amount will drop off the value of the car. The first year of ownership can decrease the value of the car greatly. You may also have to wait a while for a new car, as there can be waiting lists to receive your vehicle, especially if it is a new or popular model.

Now, lets take a look at buying a used car

The Pros:

The financial aspect of buying a used car is probably the main reason that people like to purchase second hand. When you buy a used car, the price is far lower than a new one, for obvious reasons. This doesnt mean that the car is not of good quality; in fact you can get some used vehicles that are almost brand new, at a far lesser cost of a new car. Also, unlike new cars, the value of your vehicle will not drop drastically as soon as you drive it, meaning that you will lose less money if you sell the car later on. In some cases, the deal can be made quickly, without a mass of paperwork. You get a far better choice of cars when you buy second hand, and you will be able to buy some models that you cannot buy new anymore.

The Cons:

When you buy a second hand car, your greatest enemy is what you do not know about the car or its history. It could have been stolen or may not have a full service history. The owner may not tell you about a major accident the car suffered. You are also less likely to get a Car Warranty on a second hand car, unless you buy it from a trustworthy dealership. You also dont have as much choice in terms of car specification as you do with buying a new car. You can choose the make and model but colour is generally not something that you can specify unless youre lucky.

Visit www.imperialselect.co.za for new and used cars for sale.

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Car Servicing And What’s Involved

Car

Car servicing is an important aspect of car maintenance that will enable you car to be safe. Whether you own a Mercedes, Audi, BMW or Volkswagen for example, it is good practice to keep to your manufacturer’s servicing schedule. This will result in the car being less likely to breakdown.

A service will often cover the following aspects; engine oil and oil filter change, checks on the levels of coolant/brake fluid/power steering fluid, checks on lighting /signalling/brakes/clutch, reading of onboard auto diagnostics, air filter/spark plug replacements. These checks will generally cover MOT and safety requirements and because of the complexity of today’s cars are best carried out by manufacturer trained mechanics. A further breakdown of service detail will outline the benefits of some of these areas.

Engine oil and filter change lifecycle will vary according to the oil type used. Modern oils have moved from mineral to semi-synthetic to fully synthetic. Synthetic based oils will generally last longer than the old mineral type and offer a greater range of protection to the engine, an example of which is Castrol GTX Magnatec that can protect the engine from the start due to magnetic properties built into the oil. A professional car servicing garage will use the oil recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Fluid levels for the brake, steering and coolant systems should be checked and topped up as necessary as part of a service, but these should also be checked by the owner from time to time. Lack of engine coolant may result in substantial engine damage to anything from the head gasket to the big ends (this will require engine replacement!). Lack of brake or power steering fluid will also cause problems with control systems which are obviously paramount for driver safety.

Almost all modern vehicles will have onboard electronics which may include auto diagnostic functionality. A properly equipped service garage will be able to link into these systems and gain information of any intermittent or impending problems that may have occurred since the last service thus giving an extra layer of security and oversight.

Air filter replacements are necessary at anything from 25,000 to 50,000 miles and are also dependent on environmental conditions. A clogged air filter will restrict air flow to the engine thus reducing power and fuel consumption. Spark plugs are amongst the least expensive parts of the engine and probably one of the most critical for engine tuning. Some spark plugs are claimed to have life spans of 100,000 miles, general manufacturer service recommendations will specify replacement every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Even if longlife spark plugs are fitted they will require removal and regular cleaning to make sure they don’t seize in the engine.

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