Most people don’t know what to look for in a used car. That’s cool, you don’t have to be an expert to come across as one. With the following used car buying tips, you’ll feel like a regular pro and won’t feel at a disadvantage when you walk into a car lot. Keep this little checklist with you to help you remember what to look for.
Tires-Tire treads wear evenly. If the car does not have even treads on all four tires or if some of the tires are from different brands, it could mean that the previous owner took the cheaper way out when fixing the car. Good maintenance would require all four tires to be replaced at the same time. If the tread on one of the tires is worse than the others, it indicates that the car is misaligned in some way or needs adjustments or parts.
headlights– Do the headlights match? By this I mean that one of them is yellow or is pointing in the wrong direction. This could give you a clue that the car was hit from the side. If they don’t match, look for these other clues to an accident.
The lines of the body are uneven. The lines of the body are where the different parts of the car meet. If on one side of the car the gap in the body line is larger or smaller, it could indicate an accident.
The paint is a different shade. The car was probably painted in the area of an accident and the shade of the paint would be different.
There is excess paint. Open the hood and see where the paint ends and the metal on the engine begins. If there are paint specs on the typically unpainted parts, it may indicate an accident. While the hood is open, take a look at the gaps on the right and left front of the car (where you were looking for the overspray). Is the gap in parts larger or smaller on one side? If it’s smaller, the car probably took a hit on that side.
Inside – Are there small holes in the fabric upholstery of the door or the seat? Most likely they are cigarette burns. On a car with a leather interior, look at the headliner, if the color is faded or stained, it was a smoking car. Check to see if the seats are stained or if the ashtray was used. A smoker’s car often smells like smoke. If you are a non-smoker, you may not like that the previous owner was.
Inspection – When does the inspection expire? If recently inspected, the car has passed state safety and emissions requirements. If the inspection is due in the next few months, be sure to do a pre-inspection with your mechanic to get an idea of whether the car will need anything at the next inspection, and adjust the price accordingly. A car with an overdue inspection means it didn’t pass the last inspection or never passed. Have the dealer get a new inspection before you buy. This way, you know there won’t be any other unexpected out-of-pocket expenses when you leave the lot. If the dealer refuses to perform the inspection, you should question the reason. It can cost a great deal of money to make it happen.
Oil – Check the oil with the engine dipstick with handle. When you pull out the dipstick, check the level and color of the oil on it. The level indicator is at the end of the dipstick. There are two lines with a shaded area indicating an upper and lower limit range, if it is lower than that, the car needs oil. Now check the color; it should be a transparent golden brown. If the color is black and tar-like, it means that the oil has not been changed for a long time. Someone who maintains their car usually has an oil change label on the upper left side of the inside of the windshield that shows when the last oil change was and when the next one should be.
Power windows and locks – Check that they work
keys – Make sure the master key fits both the door lock and the ignition. If they don’t work on both, it could mean the steering column has been replaced.
Windshield – Does it have cracks or chips? If they are small, they could get bigger and you will need a new windshield.
Cross – It is an independent company that details the history of the owners, inspection records and accident reports of the automobile. Every dealer should have this for you when looking for a car on their lot.
Guarantee – What does the warranty cover? More importantly, what does it not cover?
Driving test – Do you fit in? Does the seat fit your comfort? Can you see over the hood?
Here are some of the things to consider when looking for a used car. Use these tips for buying used cars at a used car lot and the dealer will think you know exactly what’s going on, even if you don’t. While you’re at it, go ahead and kick a tire or two.