The expert named the basic rules when buying a used car

When buying a used car, it is important to study the market in advance, check the documents, the history of the car and its technical condition. Pavel Borodin, director of projects at CASCO Sberbank Insurance, told Izvestia about this on March 25.

"Used cars traditionally occupy a significant share of the car market. However, it is in this segment that buyers are more likely to encounter hidden problems that are difficult to identify at the selection stage," he said.

According to the expert, you should start selecting a car with mileage by studying the market. He advised to get acquainted in advance with the typical weaknesses of a particular model, prices for maintenance and spare parts, as well as compare offers in order to understand the real cost range.

Borodin stressed that it is necessary to carefully check the documents before the transaction. In particular, you should check the VIN code in the vehicle's passport with the number on the car itself, make sure that the data in the registration certificate is up-to-date, and check whether the seller's data matches the documents for the car. If the car is not being sold by the owner, he must have a notarized power of attorney. The expert also recommended using the official services of the Traffic Police and the Federal Notary Chamber to find out the registration history, the number of owners, the availability of restrictions or collateral.

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The specialist advised paying special attention to the inspection of the body and interior. Traces of corrosion, chips, differences in paint shades, uneven gaps between body elements and repainting may indicate repairs after an accident. In addition, it is worth checking the glass markings and assessing the condition of the steering wheel and seats: severe wear with a small declared mileage may indicate its twisting.

After that, the expert recommended moving on to the technical part. It is necessary to check the operation of electronics, power windows, climate control, multimedia and dashboard. A good engine should start without difficulty and run smoothly, without extraneous noise and vibrations. An important stage is the test drive, which helps to assess the condition of the suspension and transmission: the shifts should be smooth, without jerks and extraneous sounds.

"If possible, complete the check with diagnostics at an independent car service. Professional assessment of the condition of the braking system, suspension, engine and electrical equipment helps to identify hidden defects. If the car is sold through a dealer, you can request the results of pre—sale diagnostics or documents about recent maintenance," the specialist concluded.

The analytical agency Autostat reported on March 23 that, according to the results of the first two months of 2026, 90 new Luxury cars were sold in Russia, which is 34% more than in January-February last year (67 units). Lamborghini turned out to be the most popular luxury car brand in the country at the beginning of the year, with a total of 28 such supercars sold. In the second position is Rolls-Royce (24 units), followed by Bentley (23 units).

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