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Here are 10 tips to consider when purchasing a vehicle:

1. Do your research. This holds true for both affordability and vehicle options. The Finance Calculator found online will give you an idea of how much you will be able to afford. The News and Reviews section will give you some critical information regarding the latest cars on the market and will assist with your decision-making process.

2. Use the internet. You should be aware and safe when you know how to get online. The internet is a helpful tool for finding information, reviews, and user experiences regarding the car you wish to buy. It can put you in contact with a dealer and in some cases, start the process of selecting your car. Some dealerships will bring a car to you to test drive if you enquire online. Some will offer configurators that will allow you to make sense of all the options.

3. Shop around. Don’t buy the first car you come across. Shop around for a better deal and see what is on offer at other dealerships. When buying used, comparing two vehicles of the same type and spec level will often show you what sort of wear and tear is acceptable. Don’t be in a rush to buy, patience is the key here and some great deals can be found if you’re just willing to let them pop up first.

4. Consider used. While a new car can be the ultimate luxury experience, fantastic deals can be hard if you opt for a used vehicle instead. Low mileage or demo models will often come in a lot cheaper than their brand-new counterparts and still be in amazing condition. New cars depreciate quite quickly, and you can possibly get a better spec model by opting for a pre-owned model.

5. Know your limitations. This applies to affordability. Don’t over-extend yourself and spend every available cent on a new car. While the general rule of thumb is not to exceed 30% of your monthly income on a car repayment, it’s always safer to go on the lower side of the spectrum to allow for unforeseen running costs. It may seem affordable now, but you don’t want to be in trouble in 6 months’ time when the petrol price increases.

6. Negotiate. Most of the time, a deal is negotiable. Don’t be scared to ask for a discount or a better price. Some dealers may sweeten the deal by throwing in a few additional extras like window tinting or a bin liner to help make the sale. If these are on the house, you may consider them. They will, however, not add any resale value to your vehicle when it comes time to sell. Instead, try negotiating the price.

7. Don’t mention your trade-in. There is no need to mention your trade-in early in the discussion. Alerting the dealer to this early on may work against you as they restructure a deal to work in their favour. Keep this information as late as possible. It will also help to know what your current car is worth on trade-in so that you don’t get short-changed.

8. Don’t forget about insurance. Not all insurances are the same and the insurance costs will vary depending on your profile, the type of car you choose, and the standard equipment level. It’s always wise to get a quote on the insurance before you buy the car so that you can factor this into the monthly repayments.

9. Always test drive the car. This is most pertinent in a used car purchase, but the same thing holds true for a new car purchase. Spend time getting the seating position right and setting the car up the way you would like. You will regret it if you don’t and only discover that the driving position is uncomfortable, or visibility is poor after you buy it.

10. Insist on the inspection report.

When buying a used vehicle, always insist on some form of inspection report from an accredited inspection centre. An approved Dekra Certificate is a reliable way to ensure that the car that you want to buy has no hidden issues. This may plague you at a later stage.

Start blooming your journey with Mahindra Visit us at 📌167 Josiah Gumede Road, Pinetown Or call us on ☎ 0877277018 Or visit our website on 🌐www.mahindrapinetown.co.za for amazing deals.

Mahindra has just launched the most affordable Automatic Double Cab bakkie in South Africa, the Mahindra Double Cab S6. The Pik Up Double Cab S6 & S10 variants are both proudly assembled alongside the single cab range at Mahindra South Africa’s assembly facility in Durban. Customers have the choice of the reliable, capable yet affordable Mahindra Double Cab S6, S10, and S11. All trim levels are also offered in the Karoo version which includes a myriad of extras. The flagship in the Mahindra Pik Up range is the S11 automatic.

This has seen fantastic reviews and is perfectly placed for the family looking for a lifestyle vehicle with all the luxuries you would require. Whether you are camping, cycling, shopping or taking the kids to school, the Mahindra S11 has been designed without compromise. With its more affordable price, the S6 automatic stands out from the competition and is made for adventure.

Targeted or suitable for: In addition to being ideal for an active family, the S11, S10 & S6 variants are also expertly designed to take on any adventure. Whether it’s on a camping trip, off to meet with family or friends around the braai, heading to the bush or taking the road less travelled, the Pik Up Double Cab is a trustworthy companion.

Key USPs and accolades: Inside the excellent value for money Pik Up Double Cab S6 the driver and passengers will find a long list of luxury features. The specifications include electric windows, power steering, air conditioning, central locking & an integrated audio system with USB & auxiliary input. Now also available in automatic transmission.

In addition to the S6 features, the S10 trim level offers a touch screen infotainment system with Bluetooth, a navigation system, cruise control & steering mounted audio controls. Apart from the smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission on the S11, it also comes with a 7-inch touch screen infotainment system & a reverse camera. The S6 now also has cruise control as a standard feature.

All the variants are now standard with the recently refreshed aggressive grille and bumper, to increase the aggressive stance of the vehicles. In addition to the already long list of specifications on the standard variants, the Karoo range offers even more luxuries. The S6 & S10 Karoo editions have black alloy wheels, a tonneau cover, roll bar, rain deflectors, front nudge bar and rear wheel arches. The range-topping S11 Karoo Automatic offers a rubberised load bin, Karoo branded roll bar and nudge bar, refreshed alloy wheels, colour-coded wheel arches and a roller shutter for the load bin.

Experiencing a tyre blowout can be frightening – make sure you are in a safe place and a calm state before following our advice on how to change a tyre. What equipment do you need? Apart from the spare wheel, you will need the following: *Wheel Spanner – for removing the wheel nuts *Jack – for lifting the car off the ground *Wheel chock – to stop the car from rolling when jacked up (bricks can be used instead) *Wheel nut key – if locking nuts are fitted *Car handbook – for reference (e.g., on jacking points) It may also be useful to carry: *Torch – for working at night (check batteries regularly) *Gloves – wheels will be dirty *Reflective jacket – to make you visible *Warning triangle – to alert other drivers to a hazard/obstruction *Short plank of wood – as a flat surface to steady the jack *Tyre pressure gauge – for checking the new tyre is fully inflated 1. Prepare the car Apply the handbrake and remove all passengers from the car. Take the spare wheel and necessary tools out of the boot. 2. Position the wheel chocks Chocks prevent the car from rolling while jacked up. Position a chock on the opposite wheel to the one with a puncture. For example, if your left-front tyre has a puncture, put a chock behind the right-rear wheel. If your left-rear tyre is flat, you need a chock in front of the right-front. Use chocks for both front/rear wheels (as appropriate) if you have them. Bricks or large rocks can do the same job if you do not have a dedicated chock. 3. Loosen the wheel nuts It’s easier – and safer – to do this while the car is on the ground. You may need to lever off a plastic wheel trim first. Turn the wheel wrench anti-clockwise and loosen the nuts to the point where they can be turned by hand (be warned – they may be tough to loosen). However, do not remove them completely yet. 4. Jack the car up All cars have dedicated jacking points – consult your handbook to see where these are. Aim to position the jack at the side of the car, close to the punctured wheel. Placing a small plank of wood under the jack will help keep it stable. Raise the car slowly until the flat tyre is 10-15cm off the ground. 5. Remove the flat tyre Fully loosen and remove the wheel nuts, then gently pull the tyre towards you until it comes free. Place it flat on the ground. 6. Mount the spare wheel Slide the spare wheel onto the protruding hub bolts, or in line with the wheel nut slots (warning: it’s heavy to lift it off the ground to do this). Replace the wheel nuts and tighten them by hand. 7. Lower the car and tighten the bolts Use the jack to drop the car down slightly, so that the spare tyre is in contact with the ground. Now use the wrench to fully tighten the wheel nuts. 8. Fully lower the car Bring the car fully down to earth and remove the jack. Consider giving the wheel nuts a final check for tightness. Stow the jack and the other tyre in the boot, along with the rest of your equipment. Note: if your car has a space saver, the old wheel will take up more space in the boot. 9. Check the spare tyre pressure If you have one, use a tyre pressure gauge to check the spare wheel is fully inflated. Alternatively, drive carefully to a petrol station and use the gauge there. Pump up the tyre to the recommended pressure – as detailed in the handbook – if necessary. 10. Take your punctured tyre for repair Visit a garage or tyre fitters at the first opportunity and give them your punctured wheel. They will advise whether to repair or replace it. Do not drive on a space-saver spare wheel for longer than is strictly necessary – they are only intended for emergencies. Start blooming your journey with Mahindra … Visit us at 📌167 Josiah Gumede Road, Pinetown Or call us on ☎ 0877277018 Or visit our website on 🌐www.mahindrapinetown.co.za for amazing deals.