There is a shortage of used cars. Dangerous pieces can also get on the market – HNonline.sk

As a result of the pandemic, the manufacturers’ supply chain is shaking to its foundations and, due to the temporary cessation of production, especially of chips and other important components of the brand, new cars are currently being delivered to customers with a one-year delay. Some have even stopped providing discounts on purchased cars. No wonder modern cars without chips don’t even start, engine control units, airbags, automatic transmissions, instrument panels, control modules and many other control units depend on them.

The high level of comfort and electronic support of today’s cars therefore proves to be a disadvantage, and manufacturers recommend some customers to choose other equipment or (often an older model) car from the offer, in connection with which they still have enough parts. This fact, together with the pressure for low emissions, the reduction of internal combustion engines and the transition to electric cars, was also reflected in the price of new cars, which in some cases rose by as much as 20 percent. Not to mention the lower number of cars on the market.

Few cars in bazaars bring risks

The problem is not only related to new cars, but is also reflected in the ticket market. “All these factors are leading to more and more customers entering the used car market, but at the same time fewer and fewer cars are entering it.. The range of used cars is the weakest in the last five years and there is no indication that the situation should change soon, ” he says Jakub Šulta, founder and CEO society Carvago, which deals with the online sale of used cars.

Customers waiting for a new car postpone the sale of an old car until they have a new one. Or they don’t sell the old car at all. As a result, far fewer cars enter stores than usual, and some second-hand car dealers may reach for redemption due to the lack of vehicles, even with lower-quality pieces.

Under normal circumstances, this is paid for by the customer, who cannot thoroughly check the complete condition of the car himself. The result is the purchase of a car with hidden defects and even at a higher price. Even inviting an expert, whose task is to check the car displayed in the car bazaar, is not a good solution. It takes time and knowledge to detect masked problems in cars, for example after an accident. And the mechanic does not have enough equipment in the car bazaar to check the car properly.

Not to mention that mechanics often ask for a considerable amount of money for a check, which will not be returned to you if you withdraw from buying a car. In the end, you will either not make the purchase, overpay it, or acquire ownership of a car that is not able to drive safely after a short time or does not meet the conditions for driving on roads. So another package of money will cost you repairs.

Source: Carvago.com

Don’t compromise, they can be expensive

The solution may be to buy a car elsewhere than in classic car bazaars. The key is a wider choice combined with a thorough pre-purchase technical inspection, which reduces the risk of acquiring the problematic car to zero. This is made possible, for example, by a Czech startup Carvago, a large European online marketplace with more than 750,000 vehicles on offer.

During the pandemic, buying a car online clearly proved to be an ideal alternative. It is a more comfortable and safer solution, which also allows withdrawal from the purchase within 14 days in case of dissatisfaction. This option also applies when buying a car. Carvago also offers a full online purchase: the customer can equip the entire process from selection to check-in and delivery of the vehicle in front of their own door from the comfort of the living room. Everything in communication with the Slovak representation, so there is no language problem when buying from abroad.

Source: Carvago.com

However, this is not the only advantage why buying online through Carvago is the recommended way to get a used car. Carvago offers an advantageous certified service CarAudit – Every vehicle will be thoroughly inspected for you by a qualified mechanic anywhere in Europe.

Up to 270 inspection points are physically checked on the driven car, the VIN number is a matter of course and, if possible, Carvago requires service documentation. This is compared with the actual condition of the car as well as with records from authorized dealers. During the technical inspection, which lasts 3 to 4 hours, the technicians check everything from the condition of the mechanical parts, through possible errors in the engine or emission system to the thickness of the paint and the quality of the repairs. During the test drive, the clutch operation or various beeps are checked. It also includes a check of the car’s history.

From a thorough inspection, you will receive a detailed report on the technical condition of the vehicle, together with photo documentation and expert advice. If the car does not pass the inspection, Carvago will not sell it to you, but you are entitled to a free inspection of another car that you choose from the offer.

Source: Carvago.com

In short, online shopping works like this: you choose a car, Carvago it through the service CarAudit will be thoroughly inspected (in most cases within two working days of ordering) and if the car passes inspection, you will decide if you want it. If so, the company will buy it for you, provide an extended warranty of six months, completely register it for Slovak brands and deliver it to your home. With your car, you can travel now, for example, to go on holiday. And if you accidentally and additionally decide that the car does not suit you, you can return it within 14 days.