Festive discounts don't get expensive!: How dealers can cheat, 8 things to watch out for

Many people consider it auspicious to buy a new vehicle on Diwali. At this time, automobile companies and dealerships bring bumper discount offers on cars. If you are looking to buy a new car this festive season, this is a great opportunity. There are vehicles available in the market with all types of powertrains like electric, CNG, petrol and diesel, which you can buy as per your requirement.

Buying a new car is an achievement for the middle class. Once people buy a car, they don't think about changing it for years. So, it is important to keep some things in mind while buying a car, so that you don't have to regret it in the future.

So today Work newsLet's talk about what precautions should be taken while buying a car this festive season? You will also know that-

Expert: Tootoo Dhawan, Auto Expert (New Delhi)

Question: What kind of fraud can dealers do when selling cars during holiday sales? Answer: Demand for new cars is highest during the festival of Diwali. In such a situation, automobile dealers want to dispose of as much stock as possible. To attract people, they offer bumper discounts and cashbacks during the festive season. However, some dealers may also cheat their customers. Under the guise of festive season offers, defective cars may also be sold to consumers, which may later lead to showroom-hopping.

Understand the types of scams dealers can commit during the festive season from the graphic below.

Question: What should be considered before buying a new car? Answer: Auto expert Tootoo Dhawan says buying a car in today's era is a costly investment. So, everyone wants to buy a car that has good mileage, latest features, low maintenance and the price is within his budget.

It is very important to pre-plan all these things before buying a car. There are hundreds of car options available in the market, so sometimes it becomes very difficult to make a decision. So, before buying a car, these points given in the graphic below should be kept in mind.

Let's understand some of the points given in the graphic in detail.

Maintain a fixed budget A typical family car starts at Rs 3 to 4 lakh. So, before buying a car, decide your budget and how much you can spend. Keep in mind that the ex-showroom price of a vehicle is only its starting price. After this there are expenses like RTO, insurance, road tax, logistics charges, number plate charges. This can significantly increase the car's on-road value.

Understand your needs Before buying a car, decide what your needs are. For example, if your family consists of 6 to 7 people, it would be best for you to buy a bigger car like an SUV. If your family is small then you can buy a smaller car accordingly. Always keep in mind that the bigger the car, the higher its maintenance costs. So, don't fall prey to offers and discounts and just prioritize your needs.

Read the insurance policy Companies offer various types of add-on insurance while buying a car. These add-on offers only increase your premium cost. So, buy an insurance policy according to your needs. Apart from this, read carefully what is covered in the insurance policy and understand it in detail from your dealer.

Keep your budget in mind while buying a car on EMI If you want to buy a car on EMI, first read the terms and conditions of the finance agreement carefully. Understand clearly about the loan tenure including down payment, monthly EMI, interest rate.

Experts say car EMI should not exceed 10% of your monthly income. For example, if your monthly income is Rs 2 lakh then the EMI should be around Rs 20 thousand. Apart from this, try that the car loan should not be more than 4 years.

Question: What kind of safety features should be looked for before buying a car? Answer- Auto expert Tootoo Dhawan says that most people look at things like design, model, look and powertrain while buying a new car. While it is most important to see what safety features are included in the car. In case of an accident, vehicle safety features protect us. If you are planning to buy a new car this Diwali, be sure to ask your dealer about these car safety features.