Things to Check When Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car can be either a good investment or a waste of money. It all depends on your observation skills and ability to ask the right questions. Still, getting a used car can be somewhat a nerve-wracking experience. Of course, you shouldn’t purchase a used car based just on luck. It’s best if you know exactly what you’re doing and what to check before finalizing the purchase. Hence, we have prepared a list of things to check when buying a used car. Don’t forget to tick all the boxes next time you examine your future car. 

Car history

Of course, before you even consider buying a car, you need to learn about its history. Thus, this is the first question that should be on your mind before a car examination. Sometimes, you can learn everything you need to know about your future purchase only by this answer alone. First, you better start with the price. You need to be able to afford a car you want, right? 

Next, continue with the common facts about the car, like if there is anything wrong with it or something you need to know from the beginning. All used cars have their unique perks and minor behavior deviances. It’s a good sign when the car owner is willing to share such things with you right away. It means they have nothing to hide. 

Lastly, ask about any accidents the car might have participated in and what issues it may have in the future. Also, depending on where you are, seek a national online service that can provide you with the car history by its identification number. Each country and many states have sites where you can run through the VIN to determine if a vehicle has been in any accidents or not. 

In the end, ask if you can examine the car. If the owner is hesitant to let you expect the car, you may think twice about getting it. After all, buying a car without looking at it is like purchasing an academic paper without reading lots of speedy paper reviews first. 

Any visible damages

One of the first things any buyer should do is to walk around the car, analyzing its overall appearance. During this examination, you should pay particular attention to looking for any signs of rust, paint damages, dents, and things like that. Set your limits before going into this. For example, small patches of rust here and there can be a deal-breaker for many. Some buyers, on the other hand, won’t be bothered by it at all. 

Mileage

Pay attention to the mileage. Learn about the average mileage use in your region. Check this number with the age of the car and what its owner says. Obviously, high mileage cars will have more wear on the components. Hence, you may end up visiting car service more often than you’d like. Besides, high mileage plays a big role if you want to resell the given car at some point. 

Tyre condition

When looking at tires, look at how they are worn. If the tires are worn evenly, you have nothing to worry about here. However, if there is a clear lean towards any side or extra wear somewhere, you may have a problem. Uneven wear can mean issues with a frame, steering, or suspension. These are all the things you should take very seriously. See what the car owner has to tell you. If they don’t have an answer, you may need to spend additional time at the mechanic’s researching this problem on your own. 

Electronics

Don’t forget to check the electronics in the car, both exterior and internal. For one, you need to see that everything inside the car is working properly. Check the radio and all the lights on the dash. Next, check the exterior lighting starting with the headlamps, daytime running lights, signal and brake lights and so on. Often, a failing light can be a simple fix with a new lightbulb. However, sometimes it can be a symptom of deeper issues with car electronics. 

The hood

So, any issues that we have covered by now could be noticed by any inexperienced eye. However, once you open the hood, you need to know where to look. Hence, it’s best that you either do some research in advance or bring a person who knows what they are doing. Overall, your main interest under the hood should be on the engine. It is the heart of a car, and it is also the most expensive component. You don’t want to learn that there is something wrong with it after purchasing a car. 

Still, even if you don’t know much about the engine, you can check the fluids around it. Start with the oil and transmission fluids. Seeing any deviation in colour, for example, can be a clue that there is something wrong with the engine. You can also research writing sites on a scam fighter to find the service for you. Then you can find writers who tell you all about the mechanical components under the hood that you should know about.