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Buying tips (from back then) for used cars

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Created on March 1, 1954

Reading time 7min

Written by:

Erwin Kühnert

Photos:

Daimler AG

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Archiv

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Daimler AG

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Archiv

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Mercedes-Benz-Niederlassung Mainz - Werkstatt - Innenansicht der Reparaturhalle

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Mercedes-Benz-Niederlassung Darmstadt - Blick auf die Werkstatt

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Tip 1 - Prüfung der Kompression

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Tip 2 - Prüfung der Spur der Vorderräder

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Tip 3 - Zustand der Bremsbeläge

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Tip 4 - Sturz und Lagerspiel der Räder

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Tip 5 - Zustand von Lagern und Reifen

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Tip 6 - Sauberkeit

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Tip 7 - Lenkung und Motorlauf

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Mercedes-Benz-Niederlassung Aachen - Blick auf die Teilreparatur

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Mercedes-Benz-Niederlassung Alsfeld - Werkstatthalle an der Jahnstrasse

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Mercedes-Benz_Niederlassung Ravensburg - Blick in die moderne Werkstatt

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Summary

Even 60 and more years ago, thrifty car buyers liked to buy used cars. However, in those days, when there were usually no warranties or other assurances for second-hand vehicles, it was easy to get ripped off. It was therefore advisable to check the used car carefully. This report reproduces the wording of an article from the magazine 'hobby' at the time, which contains valuable tips on buying a second-hand car that have not lost their validity even 60 years later.

This article contains the following chapters

The right used car
Checking the documents
Visual inspection
The test drive
Seven tips for a less risky used car purchase

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Cars are cheaper in the fall than in the spring season. Anyone who does not have to buy on a fixed date should take this to heart. Before you buy, you should be clear about what you need. Will you always be in a hurry? Will it mainly be used for long-distance or urban journeys and with what train loads? What is the lower limit for interior dimensions and trunk space? These considerations then crystallize the necessary size arrangement for engine power and driving comfort. It is advisable not to go to the limits of performance. After all, a small car that is constantly subjected to maximum stress consumes more fuel than a larger car that is driven in the favorable range (2/3 of peak performance). All other parts also wear out much more under extreme stress.

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