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Peace of mind guaranteed

looks at a few options available if you want to buy a used Honda CR-V

You are an exclusivity-seeking buyer. Your budget is around Rs. 10 lakh but don't want to buy a Corolla or Octavia because those cars don't offer exclusivity they once did. But you cannot stretch your budget beyond the million mark to buy a bigger and more exclusive car. Then a used Honda CR-V is a fine choice of vehicle to own. When buying a used CR-V take a look at the condition of the body panels, as any repairs will be expensive. While on a test drive do check the gearbox. Automatic gearboxes should change smoothly and silently, and if the manual gearbox is difficult to engage, give the car a wide berth. A slipping clutch is also fairly expensive to fix. Try and jack up the car and look for any signs of off-roading damage, and either avoid or haggle hard for a discount on such an example. Also check that all body panels are in good shape and the car has not been involved in a major shunt.

It is as reliable as most other Hondas — who have good reliability records. It promises excellent durability as long as it is not pushed too hard for off-road duties.

Corrosion is not an issue on the CR-V, which is built far better than some other mid-sizers. But do take a close look at the tyres and check the suspension for any noises. Tyres usually last around 40,000km, so if the mileage on the car doesn't match the tyres condition then something is fishy.

This Honda is a heavy sipper. There is no diesel option, though. Though it is hard to find a CR-V in the used market, the best place to look for a CR-V is at an authorised Honda dealership where many owners trade in.

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