This post is brought to you by Carsome.
There are plenty of reasons to choose a pre-owned car over a brand-new car, but more often than not, that reason is related to cost. However, most people are fearful of buying a used car because they are unsure of what to look out for, the history of the car, the hygiene condition or just the notion that used cars are ticking time bombs, waiting to break down.
Moreover, another challenge is making sure the used car is free from water damage that might be caused by the recent flash floods that Malaysia experienced.
Carsome aims to solve those problems with the Carsome Certified Refurbishment Process. According to Carsome, you can expect each car to deliver safety beyond global standards, complete comfort, and refurbished aesthetics – ensuring complete peace of mind for customers.
The process takes place at the Carsome Certified Lab, a 185,856 square feet used car refurbishment facility located in Bukit Raja, Klang. It is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia with the capacity to refurbish 2,000 cars every month from 30 brands including national, Japanese, and Continental makes.
Here is how a pre-owned car is refurbished into a Carsome Certified Car.
Stage 1: Pre-owned cars are handpicked for the Carsome Certified Refurbishment Process
Before a pre-owned car can become part of Carsome’s inventory, it will first undergo a stringent 175-point inspection at Carsome Inspection Centers. According to Carsome, this ensures quality right from the start of the process.
Trained Carsome inspectors will check for signs of major accidents, frame, fire, and flood damage. If the car gets the green light, only then it will be sent to the Carsome Certified Lab to undergo the Carsome Certified Refurbishment Process.
Stage 2: Essential components and safety systems are ensured to be in tip-top condition
Here, technicians will use an onboard diagnostic scanner to identify and service any electrical and electronic issues. These include safety systems like the ABS, airbags and EPS, as well as the engine. Any lubricants like engine oil will be replaced and the aircon will be cleaned and serviced as well.
Finally, wheel alignment and balancing will be performed along with brake pad and tyre inspection. Carsome’s requirement for brake pads thickness is above 4mm while tyre tread depth is more than 2.2mm. If these requirements are not met, it will be replaced with a fresh set.
All these checks and inspections are in accordance with Carsome’s promise to deliver safety standards that are 25% above the global standards.
Stage 3: A new coat of paint to give a refreshed look
First impressions are important, which is why Carsome feels it is necessary to give the car a refreshed look. Firstly, scuffs and dents are marked according to strict criteria that determine if any panel resprays are required. Carsome ensures customers that only reputable and quality OEM paints are used. The rest of the car gets a 3-step high-performance paint correction to remove visible imperfections in the vehicle’s paint.
From there, the car will be polished and waxed to give it that showroom shine.
Stage 4: Refurbished aesthetics extend to the interior and exterior with deep cleansing and detailing
In this stage, the interior of the car is deep cleaned and sanitised with anti-bacterial fogging. The seats especially are cleaned using a dry and wet vacuum. If deemed necessary, Carsome will refurbish the seats, regardless of whether it’s upholstered in fabric or leather.
To round up the cleaning process, the whole car receives a thorough wash, including the engine bay before moving to the final process.
Stage 5: Final quality check before becoming a Carsome Certified car
Before the refurbished car can receive the Carsome Certified seal, it first needs to undergo a final quality control inspection. Carsome Certified Lab consultants will review the car’s safety, comfort, and aesthetics to ensure it meets the necessary requirements. If it passes all the criteria, the car will receive the Carsome Certified seal and is ready for sale.
If that wasn’t enough, the car will undergo another 45-point inspection when it arrives at a Carsome branch before the car is officially sold.
A 360-degree photoshoot to showcase the new Carsome Certified car
After all the work that has been done to the car, it’s only proper to showcase the Carsome Certified car with clear, detailed, and high-resolution 360-degree photos. Both interior and exterior shots will be available for your viewing on Carsome’s website, helping you with your buying decision.
Here’s an example of the exterior of a Honda City before and after undergoing the Carsome Certified Refurbishment Process. The body is littered with scuffs and scratches, which have been marked for removal. It is also covered in dust and dirt.
Now, here’s the same car at the end of the Carsome Certified Refurbishment Process.
The dents and scratches that were marked have been removed and the car is smooth and shiny thanks to the wax and polish. For this example unit, Carsome cleaned the faded headlights to make them clear and transparent. The car you see in the picture will look exactly the same in person as Carsome assures that imperfections are not digitally covered or hidden.
How to buy a Carsome Certified car?
Carsome makes shopping for a Carsome Certified car easy by taking the process online. From the comfort of your home, you can view high-resolution, 360-degree images of the exterior and interior of the car on Carsome’s website. Moreover, Carsome provides you with a detailed 175-point report so you can have full transparency of the car’s condition. You can then proceed to book a test drive or even reserve the desired car directly on the website.
Carsome wants to create a seamless buying experience for you, so the displayed prices are fixed with no hidden fees and inclusive of road tax, ownership transfer fee and loan application fee. Additionally, the Puspakom B5 and B7 inspections to ensure the car is safe and roadworthy are handled by Carsome. Therefore, you don’t need to go through all the paperwork yourself, saving you precious time.
If you do end up purchasing a Carsome Certified car, you’ll also enjoy a five-day-money-back guarantee and one-year warranty for greater peace of mind. Furthermore, you can opt to have the car delivered right to your doorstep.
To book yourself a Carsome Certified car from a large and wide selection of over 30 brands, just head on over to www.carsome.my.
