Before you buy a used car you need to perform a thorough inspection of the vehicle. A used car, especially one that has been driven by several previous owners, can have problems difficult to notice at first glance or during a short test drive. To avoid purchasing a car that will need expensive repairs, follow these steps and know before you buy.
The Obvious
The first step in inspecting a used car prior to purchase is looking over the car for obvious signs of trouble. Large rust patches, cracked glass, dents, and scratches should be looked for as well as signs of significant body repair like mismatched portions of the body. Make sure you comfortably fit behind the wheel, can see out of the mirrors, and the condition of the interior.
Tires
Never buy a used car unless you have inspected the condition of the tires. Consider bringing a small air pressure gauge with you to check the air pressure in the tires. Look for signs of wear on the tire treads and damaged spots. Uneven wear patterns on tires can be a sign of either different tire air pressures on some tires or bad wheel alignment. Not only are worn out, improperly inflated, or damaged tires unsafe to drive on, they are also expensive to replace.
Check the Oil & Fluids
The next thing you should know before you buy a used car is the state of the car’s engine fluids and oil. Check the oil for its fullness and coloring. Also the levels on the antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid. Neglected fluids and oil are detrimental on their own and can indicate general neglect of routine car maintenance.
Cold Start
Whenever possible, start the engine of a used car you are inspecting cold. This means, starting the engine after the car has been stopped for a while. Take a moment to listen to the engine running while the car is idle. Pay particular attention to any rattling, knocking, or grinding noises that the engine makes as they are indications of a possibly serious mechanical problem. Smoke coming from the exhaust that has a strong smell is also a red flag.
Mechanic Inspection
Unless you have qualified experience with cars, a professional inspection done by a trusted mechanic is recommended before you buy a used car. You will most likely be charged for this inspection, so it should be done after you have done the previous steps yourself. The mechanic can look for potential problems while the car is up on a lift that you would not otherwise have seen. Discovering a problem with a car that would eventually require costly repairs is worth the small amount of money paid to the mechanic.
You should know as much about a used car as you can before you make the purchase final. Along with a vehicle history report, you should also conduct a thorough inspection of the car’s interior, exterior, and engine.
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