Shopping For A Used Car

When it comes to buying a used car, you need to perform a few basic inspections before purchasing the vehicle. Most people do not look forward to going to a car dealer, only to be greeted by some slick salesman who just wants to throw you a sales pitch just so he can sell a car and make a commision. And truthfully, there are a lot of used cars out there that are just not a very good deal.

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Well you ask what do you look for when buying your used car? To begin we will start with the basics. Carefully look the car's body over. Inspect the paint and make sure there are no differences or mismatches in color between the panels, because that could be a clue the used car has been in an accident. Look for overspray paint on body moldings, glass, and the undercarriage where it is visible. Make sure that all the body and doors panels line up properly. Sometimes a door that squeaks can be a sign of repairs. Open and close all the doors, the trunk and the hood and make sure that they all operate correctly and smoothly.

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If you believe the used car may have been involved in an accident, mention it to the person selling it to you. Sometimes they do not know about it, but often you will find they will usually go into detail about what happened to the vehicle. Do not be afraid to ask if you are questioning. Minor accidents happen, but are acceptable if repaired properly, although a major accident could be a source of future problems.

Now open the hood and check the fluids while the engine is cold. Pull out the engine oil dipstick and make sure that the oil is full and clean. Check the radiator fluid also, but do not remove the radiator cap if the engine is hot! Check the fluid in the plastic overflow bottle, which should be near the radiator. The fluid can be either red or green, depending on the vehicle. Just make sure it is not brown or discolored.

Now check the engine operation when cold, if possible. Some engine noises can only be heard when the engine is cold, so check it when it is cold and let it warm up. Make note of any unusual knocks, squeals or anything that does not seem normal. If there is anything unusual here, trust your instinct and do not let the seller talk you into thinking there is nothing wrong, unless they are willing to fix any problems.

Check the transmission fluid after the vehicle warms up, so you can get an accurate reading on the transmission dipstick. Most dipsticks will tell you whether to check it in neutral or park, and where the fluid level should be. Make sure the fluid is red in color, or close to it. If it is discolored and smells burnt, the transmission may have problems, and this could be an expensive repair. 

Be sure that the brake fluid is full, and the power steering fluid. Most late model vehicles have clear brake fluid reservoirs, making for an easy inspection. The power steering reservoir cap will often have a small dipstick attached to it, this will simplify inspection. A sign of low fluid in either system could be a sign of problems or leaks.

Now close the hood and take the vehicle for a long test drive for at least 15-20 minutes. Drive it on the highway and in the city. Listen for any unusual sounds, such as knocking noises, wind noises, squeaking or whining sounds of any type. Be sure the brakes stop the vehicle smoothly and without noise or vibration. Again, drive the vehicle for at least 15-20 minutes so you can get a real good feel for it. This is important so make sure to drive it thoroughly.

Operate all the heater controls, air conditioning controls, interior and exterior lighting, windshield wipers, radio, Cd player and anything else for proper operation. If there are any unusual odors, make note of it. Does it happen with the air conditioning or heat on, or is it present all the time? Odd and very unusual odors can be a sign that something is wrong.

Lastly take the used car for a second road test before making the purchase, just to make sure that there is no doubt. Go with your instincts here. If you have any doubts about the car, you do not have to purchase it.

Ask the seller for a AutoCheck® report, which details any major accidents or problems the vehicle may have had in the past. Most car dealers should already have this report for your inspection. Even if you can not get this report, you now exactly what to look for when buying a used car, which will make your final decision that much easier.