THE JOURNAL

A clearer view of your next car.

Fuel questions, ownership decisions and what to check before you buy. Practical reading, with the evidence kept close.

E20 petrol and used luxury cars in India: what to check before you buy

A fuel label, a model year and a headline can tell different stories. Here is how to establish what applies to the car you are considering.

Start with where you park, the journeys you repeat and how long you will keep the car. The powertrain decision becomes much clearer.

Before the deposit, assemble four things: the car's identity, its history, an inspection you can question, and a written cost to put it right.

Careful selection comes first. Service records, certification and a close reading of the findings help you understand the car that follows.

The fifth year is a useful point to look beyond the badge: service records, the next set of tyres, your actual commute and a reserve for work.