Used Hyundai Creta: 5 Important Tips to Consider While Buying

“What good is an SUV if it is not the Hyundai Creta” is the tagline for Hyundai Motors’ popular SUV, Creta that it prides itself on. It is one of the brand’s most loved cars, and despite its aggressive pricing, it has been a consistent hit in the Indian market.

Creta’s initial response was immensely positive leading to a 6-month waiting period within weeks of its launch. With sales figures skyrocketing, more than 2 lakh Cretas were sold in merely two years! Such astounding sales also resulted in a win-win situation for the used car market, making this car an instant favourite amongst other old cars.

If you’re planning to get behind the wheels of a pre-loved Hyundai Creta, here’s what you need to know.

1. Keep the AVN System in Check

Creta features a stunning touchscreen AVN system in its dashboard that makes it a drool-worthy feature. However, this 7-inch screen often falls prey to several glitches. Some common issues are lags, hangs, frequent noises, and irregular powering on.

Some users have also complained of failed navigation and Bluetooth functions. Hyundai took note of these problems and came up with a software upgrade that solved most of these issues.

If you find yourself gravitating towards the Creta, you must take a good look at all the tech functions that the AVN system has to offer.

2. Do You Hear a Steering Rattle? Look Out!

Many Hyundai car owners have complained of a steering rattle that gets bothersome with time. If you’re driving through rocky terrain, there’s a possibility of the car producing a peculiar noise that sounds like an aggressively leaking tap.

You will hear this sound after you turn the steering wheel while driving on bumpy patches or even rumble strips. Before you buy a pre-owned Creta, you must take a test drive and look out for any such rattling sounds when you drive the car over uneven terrain.

3. Beware a Worn-out Clutch

Worn Out Clutch

The Creta comes with a sensitive clutch system. If used harshly, the clutch plates need a change after the car has been driven for over 20,000 kms. When you take a test drive, you should always ensure that the clutch is not too worn out because this can be a hassle for you later.

It is best that you get an experienced driver to assess this aspect as they would be able to conduct an accurate analysis of the clutch especially while changing gears or navigating through heavy traffic.

4. Ensure the Absence of Any Under-body Damage

The boldly designed Creta might look like it can take on excessive wear and tear but it is best suited for urban roads. The Creta comes fitted with plastic cladding that does not provide adequate protection for off-road use.

If you’re someone who likes to push the limits on your vehicle, you must check the existing under-body damage on a pre-owned Creta before you purchase it.

5. Documentation is Key

This sounds basic but is key to owning a car. You must always ensure that the pre-owned vehicle you’re interested in, comes with all necessary documents like the Registration Certificate, Pollution Certificate, and the Insurance Certificate.

This is to prevent any chances of theft, fraud, or forgery. Once you’re done with the test drive and have finalised the car, take some time out to vet all the essential paperwork and the details mentioned on them. Some other documents you should take a look at are the service booklet, purchase invoice, and loan documents, if any.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Buying a Pre-owned Creta?

Buying a used car comes with perks and a few shortcomings, and we believe it’s ideal to be aware of both positives and negatives.

Pros:

• A pre-owned Creta is still an all-round urban SUV that is great for city travel and occasional road trips.
• It comes with a stylish interior, electric driver’s seat, sunroof, comfortable seating, enviable legroom, and sufficient headroom.
• Packed with safety features like hill-start assist, six high-quality airbags, and electronic stability programme, this car is ideal for family use.
• If you buy a recent pre-owned model and extend its warranty, you can enjoy risk-free ownership.

Cons:

• The Creta makes you miss out on features like auto-folding mirrors, auto-headlamps, and wipers.
• The rear seat feels cramped if there are more than 2 people.
• You may be able to buy bigger 7-seater MPVs or SUVs at a similar price.
• The braking system in the Hyundai Creta is not built for rugged use.

How Much Should You Spend on Buying a Preowned Hyundai Creta?

After careful inspection of the car, its model and engine, a decent deal for a preowned Creta would be a price between ₹9 - ₹12 lakhs.

2018-2020 HYUNDAI CRETA FACT FILE

2015-2018 HYUNDAI CRETA FACT FILE

Hyundai Creta 1.6 CRDi SX

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What other used cars can I consider in place of the Hyundai Creta?

You can consider pre owned models of cars like the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 500, Skoda Kushaq, or the Maruti Suzuki Brezza in place of the Hyundai Creta.

2. Is there anything specific I should check in the Diesel variant?

Clogged fuel injectors might be an issue in diesel SUVs and this is something you must review before buying the car.

3. How much mileage does the Creta offer?

Creta’s Manual Petrol variant offers 16.8 km/pl while the Diesel Manual offers 21.4 km/pl. In automatic variants, the claimed mileage is 21.4 km/l.