With constant traffic engulfing cities and towns alike, automatic cars are the only respite. But the biggest challenge that comes in the way of buying an automatic car is the hefty price tag it comes with. This is where buying a used automatic car can come in handy. With a used automatic car, you can experience the comfort of driving an automatic car without burning a hole in your pocket. So, if you are planning to bring home a secondhand automatic car then here is what you should do.
Decide On Which Automatic to Buy
The first step in bringing home a used automatic car is to decide which automatic transmission suits you the best. The most common and affordable automatic transmission is the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) gearbox, which is offered onboard affordable cars and is the most common automatic gearbox in India. This gearbox is cheaper to repair but offers a bit jerky gearshift and is not for enthusiasts.
Then comes the transmission like continuously variable transmission (CVT), and dual-clutch automatics (DCTs) that are seen onboard premium and performance-oriented cars. These are pricier and more expensive to repair than AMTs but offer better and smoother performance and shifts.
Over the years, transmissions like torque convertor automatics have also been offered on Indian cars. This gearbox offers more torque at low revs thereby offering a blend of efficiency and performance but is expensive to own and repair. Then there are technologies like Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) that offers conventional gear shifting but without a clutch.
Pick The Car You Love
Once you have decided upon which automatic transmission suits you the best, the next step is to see which cars offer the automatic transmission you like. Then shortlist cars based on your budget and requirement. Take things like mileage, body type, and maintenance cost into account before making a decision.
What To Look Out For
Once you have finalised the second hand automatic car you love, it is crucial for you to undertake all the due diligence so that you do not regret it later. Since an automatic transmission is a sophisticated technology, there are a few extra things you should keep in mind. Here is what to look out for before making the purchase.
Transmission Fluid Quality and Level
A thing about automatic transmissions is that they are very sensitive to the quality of transmission fluid/oil used. This is why checking the transmission fluid is a crucial step to undertake before buying a used automatic car. To check the oil quality, open the bonnet and find the transmission fluid filler dipstick.
Then unscrew it and check the fluid quality. If the fluid is supposed to be red but has turned brown, it means that the fluid needs replacement. But if the fluid is blackish, then make sure to avoid the car at all costs as it can mean a serious problem. Once you have inspected the fluid quality, check the fluid level. If you notice that it is below the minimum mark, there could be a fluid leak somewhere.
Check Gear Engagement
Unlike manuals, automatic transmissions do not offer a manual way to change all the gears. Instead, it offers different modes such as Park, Drive, Neutral, Reverse, Manual etc. Make sure to check each mode thoroughly. Start off by starting the car in Park mode. The used car should start and idle without any noise or excessive vibration. Then engage the Drive mode and notice whether the lever shifts smoothly or not. Then check if the car starts to move forward without a jerk. If the car jumps forward instead of smoothly and slowly moving forward, stay away from the car.
Check The Rest of The Modes
If the used car passes on the gear engagement test, then move on to test the remaining modes. If the used car you are eyeing to buy has a paddle shift function, make sure to test that out as well. If the car offer CVT, make sure that the engine isn’t revving very high for long, which can indicate an expensive overhaul. If the car offers DCT, check if the shifts are smooth and jerk free. If you notice any jerk while shifting, it might indicate an issue expensive to fix.
Take A Kick Down Test
Last but not the least, take a kick-down test of the car. To do that start by driving the used car slowly and then suddenly depress the accelerator all the way. The vehicle should automatically skip one or two gears and pace up with speed. If it does not happen or the jerk is too much, then there might be a problem with the transmission.
Have A Through Overall Inspection
Automatic or not, buying a second hand car always requires a thorough overall inspection of the exteriors, interiors, electronic components, engine, underbody, service records and the documentation. In the task of checking the automatic transmission, do not forget to undertake a holistic overall inspection.
The Bottom Line
Buying a used automatic car can be the perfect way to save a lot while enjoying the comfort of an automatic. But when buying a used automatic car, it is important to know what to look out for. From transmission fluid quality check to testing out all drive modes, buying a used automatic car can be simple once you know what to test and how to test. And with Truebil by your side, you can say goodbye to your worries and witness quality used cars, with hassle-free paperwork and complete peace of mind.
