Buying a used car isn’t always easy, but there are tips to help ensure a smooth process. There are never any guarantees, but certain warning signs should have you moving on to the next vehicle or, perhaps, another dealer.
Pacing beside the vehicle, rubbing your chin and kicking the tyres may give the illusion that you know what you’re looking for in a new motor but for many buyers, the used-car market is a minefield.
Unless you’re a qualified mechanic, problems can be almost impossible to spot so it’s good to get clued up beforehand.
Most motorists know to check for visible damage, the condition of the tyres, signs of rust and any unusual noises during the test drive, along with the service history.
But what about the spare tyre? Or extras like cupholders? And what’s the best weather to view a vehicle?
It might seem trivial but these often overlooked factors can quickly turn a dream motor into a heap for the hapless buyer.
We came up with 16 top tips you may not have considered before.
1. Make sure that the car is on level ground before checking it out.
This is to ensure that you will be able to clearly check the tires and to see if there is anything sagging on the car.
This is to ensure that you will be able to clearly check the tires and to see if there is anything sagging on the car.
2. Carefully check the paint job of the car, taking note of any rust spots, dents or scratches.
The car should be clean so the paint condition is visible. Look at the sides of the car from end-on for waviness; that indicates paint work. Run your finger along the edges of the joints between panels; roughness indicates residue left from masking tape.
The car should be clean so the paint condition is visible. Look at the sides of the car from end-on for waviness; that indicates paint work. Run your finger along the edges of the joints between panels; roughness indicates residue left from masking tape.
3. Try to get under the car when it is safely raised and inspect the exhaust system or any under-body rust.
Look for any black spots on the exhaust system because this can indicate leaking. This is also a good time to inspect for frame or unibody damage.
Look for any black spots on the exhaust system because this can indicate leaking. This is also a good time to inspect for frame or unibody damage.
4. Inspect the engine for any sort of leaks, or corrosion.
On the engine block, look for any dark brown oil stains, this will indicate that there is a leak in a gasket, and could possibly lead to an expensive repair in the future. Check the brake fluid, and reservoir to make sure its is not leaking. The belts should look new (i.e. not have cracks or signs of drying). Old belts can snap, and if you do not know how to replace them, contact your mechanic.
On the engine block, look for any dark brown oil stains, this will indicate that there is a leak in a gasket, and could possibly lead to an expensive repair in the future. Check the brake fluid, and reservoir to make sure its is not leaking. The belts should look new (i.e. not have cracks or signs of drying). Old belts can snap, and if you do not know how to replace them, contact your mechanic.
5. Check the hoses and belts.
They should not have cracks. The radiator hoses should not be soft.
They should not have cracks. The radiator hoses should not be soft.
6. Remove the oil filler cap.
A foam residue on the inside indicates a leaking head gasket. Forget that car.
A foam residue on the inside indicates a leaking head gasket. Forget that car.
7. Go inside the car.
Check the seats and upholstery of the car for any tears, rips, stains, or other type of damage.
Check the seats and upholstery of the car for any tears, rips, stains, or other type of damage.
8. Check for the mileage of the car.
This is important because the mileage indicates the car’s age. On the average, a normal driver will drive between 10,000 to 15,000 miles (16,000 to 24,000 km) a year; however, this depends on many factors. Remember, cars age by time and mileage. Buying a 10 year old car with very low miles is not necessarily a good thing.
This is important because the mileage indicates the car’s age. On the average, a normal driver will drive between 10,000 to 15,000 miles (16,000 to 24,000 km) a year; however, this depends on many factors. Remember, cars age by time and mileage. Buying a 10 year old car with very low miles is not necessarily a good thing.
9. Find out if the car has a computer on board.
Bring with you an inexpensive computer to check for errors. At any auto store they have inexpensive devices with prices around $150. However, most cheaper generic code readers are fairly limited in what they can access.
Bring with you an inexpensive computer to check for errors. At any auto store they have inexpensive devices with prices around $150. However, most cheaper generic code readers are fairly limited in what they can access.
10. Verify the lights and all the regular functions of the car when not moving.
This includes: any sensors for parking, back parking camera, radio, CD, music installation, etc.
This includes: any sensors for parking, back parking camera, radio, CD, music installation, etc.
11. Test drive the car before making any final decisions.
This is perhaps one of the best ways to know the condition of the car. Hence, a buyer should make all effort to do a test drive first before coming to any decisions.
This is perhaps one of the best ways to know the condition of the car. Hence, a buyer should make all effort to do a test drive first before coming to any decisions.
12. Be sure to check the brakes of the car by pressing down hard enough on the brakes to decelerate rapidly, but not enough to slide.
Try this going around 30 mph (48 km/h) in an area without traffic. You should not feel any vibration from the brake pedal, or hear any squealing or strange noises. Brakes that pulsate indicate the need for having the rotors resurfaced or replaced and new pads installed. It should not swerve; this can be caused by a bad brake caliper or worn steering components.
Try this going around 30 mph (48 km/h) in an area without traffic. You should not feel any vibration from the brake pedal, or hear any squealing or strange noises. Brakes that pulsate indicate the need for having the rotors resurfaced or replaced and new pads installed. It should not swerve; this can be caused by a bad brake caliper or worn steering components.
13. Check for sounds, trepidation or clunking noise when making a 90 degree turn.
Do this at low speed. This means again, wear at the front direction level: joints need to be changed.
Do this at low speed. This means again, wear at the front direction level: joints need to be changed.
14. Check out the car's service history which should give you some information regarding the performances, repairs, and problems of the car.
Ideally, the current owner would have kept a record of the times when the car needed servicing and should be willing to show you this information. Some cars do not have maintenance records because they maintained them at home. This should be fine as long as they can prove they maintained the car properly. There are instances where used cars are sold because of past accidents or negative experiences.
Ideally, the current owner would have kept a record of the times when the car needed servicing and should be willing to show you this information. Some cars do not have maintenance records because they maintained them at home. This should be fine as long as they can prove they maintained the car properly. There are instances where used cars are sold because of past accidents or negative experiences.
15. Bring someone who knows cars. It is a good idea to bring along a trusted friend with a good background of automotive know-how to check things that you are not sure of. If you do not have a trusted friend in the auto industry you can pay a mechanic to complete an inspection on it for some payback. Make sure this mechanic has good reviews so you will not get scammed into thinking the car is a lemon.
16. Research Price
To ensure that you are being charged a fair price, make sure to compare prices for the same make, model and year with several sources. Checking the Blue Book values and dealer prices can easily be done online. Even though condition and mileage will play a role in price, you can still get a good ballpark figure of the going price.
17. Bring a pen, paper and cell phone with you are purchasing from a private sale.
As you make your inspection of the car be sure to record all items which are damaged or will require replacement. If needed also remind the buyer that you will be taking the vehicle to your own personal mechanic so they do not think the list is for theirs. After you have collected a list of what you believe the car will require you can telephone auto parts stores to check the price and availability of replacement parts. Once you know how much the car will cost to repair if you buy it you can make an informed decision on what you would like to pay as well as increase the likelihood that the seller may reduce their asking price. Be careful while doing this because some sellers may think it's rude by doing this. He may decide not to sell to you.
As you make your inspection of the car be sure to record all items which are damaged or will require replacement. If needed also remind the buyer that you will be taking the vehicle to your own personal mechanic so they do not think the list is for theirs. After you have collected a list of what you believe the car will require you can telephone auto parts stores to check the price and availability of replacement parts. Once you know how much the car will cost to repair if you buy it you can make an informed decision on what you would like to pay as well as increase the likelihood that the seller may reduce their asking price. Be careful while doing this because some sellers may think it's rude by doing this. He may decide not to sell to you.