Risks of Buying Discontinued Models of Used Cars in India: What You Should Consider

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Buying a car is a huge investment

Buying a car is perhaps the second biggest investment after a house, especially in India. When buying a used car, there are several things to keep in mind before making the big decision. If your favourite car model is discontinued or on the verge of it, you might want to think twice before purchasing it. Even if the car is well-maintained, popular, and relatively fuss-free in terms of previous ownership and more, discontinued cars come with their share of hassles and concerns. Let us dive deeper into the issues of owning a discontinued car in India.

Servicing and Maintenance

The first and foremost concern that pops up when it comes to buying a discontinued car model is its maintenance. Talking about maintenance, the service and the repair work is what is being highlighted.

It might so happen that the car brand you have bought might have withdrawn operations from a particular state or country. For example, Ford backed out of the Indian market, leaving thousands of Ford car owners worried sick about the repair and service possibilities.

You might see extended service and repair turnaround time in such a situation as original parts may not be easily available after a while and there might be instances of major consumer concerns trying to sell/replace the cars in hand into the second-hand car market.

Resale Value

The depreciation value for discontinued cars and models declines more rapidly. There is no denying that cars presently in production enjoy higher resale value for all the obvious reasons. Therefore, if you are planning to buy a discontinued model, make sure you do the calculations ahead!

Health Certificate

Even the registration of a vehicle comes with an expiry date. However, you can continue to run them after a proper inspection and health check. All you have to have is a health certificate for your car that is older than 15 years.

Also, in states like Delhi NCR, the law states that you cannot drive a petrol vehicle older than 15 years or a diesel vehicle over 10 years old.

Safety Concerns

One of the advantages of owning the newest car is that it comes with the updated and latest safety features. On the other hand, a discontinued model might not bear the newest or adequate safety features that could be beneficial during a collision.

Also, features like EBD and ABD were an option for older cars and models. But these norms are mandatory for the latest cars and models. From the safety angle, a discontinued car does look like a not-so-great deal after all.

Emission Issues

Discontinued cars are usually the older generation cars and belong to an older range. A few brands also discontinue car models to meet the new emission standards that get updated with progress. Therefore, if you own a discontinued car model, there are chances that it might not follow the latest Bharat Stage emission standards.

In the case of the newer car models, they are bound to follow BS-VI that are much safer in terms of emissions, that are deficit in discontinued cars.

Car Breakdowns

You might face an unexpected breakdown in the middle of the road and that’s normal with any model car you drive. However, if you face such a situation with a discontinued car model, things can go further south for you! You might not easily find spare service parts for such models.

Final Word

Since buying a car is a big deal for most car buyers in India, it is always safe to go with the most trusted and most reviewed brand and model. You most certainly buy a car to drive it for at least a couple of years and investing in the right car makes all the difference. Especially if you are buying a used car, it is doubly important to make an informed decision. Driving a car is not an easy task and maintaining one is not a cakewalk.

So when you are considering a discontinued car model, consider the above-mentioned issues before making the decision!