Tips on buying a used Car
and
Inspecting a used
car checklist
Make your appointment as early in the morning as you are able, You want to see if the car will
start first thing but....inspecting in the dark isn't a good thing either so make sure it's light out.
Ask the owner for any records of service and repairs and any present
warranties. Make sure there is a title and
owners manual (you could also get an owners manual online)
A good owner will have these things.
Print out this buying a used car
checklist. Find and bring a flashlight and a
magnet.
Check the
title- is it clearly readable? Ask about accidents,
repairs etc. and place a magnet on door corners, lower
panels, fender corners for evidence of repairs as it won't stick. Any color differences?-ask if it has
had a paint job. Remember painted rust will continue to
rust.
TIRES
There should be an even tread and matching tire
size, check on the sidewall of each tire. Is there a tire jack or lug wrench? If the vehicle has locking
hubcaps ask if there is a key.
SUSPENSION
Bounce all the corners and see if they respond
the same. You should only see one or two bounces. Is it normal sounding and does the vehicle look level?
UNDER THE VEHICLE
See if any fluid is leaking on the ground under
the engine or at the axle ends or brake line connections. Check for
colorful fluids like antifreeze which is a green color or power steering fluid which is a reddish color or oil is black and brake fluid is
brown.
INSIDE OF VEHICLE
Do the seats move easy? Missing buttons, Locks, handles, controls etc. any sign of flood damage like a
smell of mildew? Check top of the carpet under the dash for stains from the air conditioner or heater core.
Turn on the air, heater, radio, CD player and test the alarm system.
FRAME
Check in the trunk, under the hood and under wheel wells for any crumpling look, which could be an indication of a
straightening attempt.
In the frame there are a row of holes that may have a "just cleaned" look or maybe a "scratched
look" inside the outer edge under each side. This could be a repair from an accident.
GAS CAP
Check for a good fitting cap and if
there is a lock ask for a key, see if it
works easily. Check for a nozzle restrictor to stop leaded gas
from being added as many states require this.
ENGINE
Any leakage of oil or fluid? Sometimes you can smell a burning fluid smell after the vehicle
reaches full temperature. Listen for hissing, metal sounds, and clicking. You should hear a smooth running
of belts and fans.
EXHAUST
SYSTEM
Any rust, any scrape marks? rock and concrete leave scrape marks. At normal temperature is the color of
the exhaust white or
blue? This could be a
sign of engine problems but a little steam is ok especially when it's cold.
When You Test Drive A Used Car
During a test drive, drive by a cement median at about 20-30mph and
open your window to hear any odd sounds.
CHECK THE PERFORMANCE
Start and shut off the vehicle a few times. does it start right up and shut off right
away? Is the idle too low or high? Is
there any lag in acceleration or lack of power?
If there is a cruise control, test that too.
CHECK THE STEERING
Any pulling to one side? difficult at any
speed? Any sounds in sharp turns?
Check for pulling, shaking, vibrations at higher speeds. Does the wheel
look straight when driving straight?
CHECK THE TRANSMISSION, CLUTCH
Automatics shuld have a smooth shifting
response. There shouldn't be any jerking with the manual shift.
Is there any grinding in a low gear with a manual shift? Accelerate up a hill in a higher gear. If you see the engine rpms rise
with increase of speed, the clutch culd be slipping. Replace or adjust.
CHECK THE BRAKES
Is there any pulling while in different
speeds or at a sudden stop while applying the brake? With ABS, when you apply the brakes hard
there should be a continued braking sound. Release and apply the parking brake a few times, is it sticking?
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