Chronically underinflated tires show more wear on the sides. Check the tread depth with a tread-depth tool—available at auto-parts stores—or a quarter. If you can see the top of his head, the tire should be replaced. Examine the sidewalls for scuffing, cracks, or bulges, and look for dents or cracks on each wheel.
Be sure to check that the spare is in good shape and the proper jack and lug wrench are present. Odor: When you first open the car door, sniff the interior. A musty, moldy, or mildewy smell could indicate water leaks.
Remove the floor mats and check for wet spots on the carpet. An acrid smell may indicate that the car was used by a smoker. Check the lighter and ashtray if so equipped for evidence. Some odors, such as mold and smoke, can be very hard to get rid of. Try all the seat adjustments to make sure that they work properly and that you can find a good driving position. Pedals: The rubber on the brake, clutch, and gas pedals gives an indication of use.
Instruments and controls: Turn on the ignition switch without starting the engine. You should make sure all the warning lights—including the check-engine light—illuminate for a few seconds and go off when you start the engine.
Note whether the engine is hard to start when cold and if it idles smoothly. Then try out every switch, button, and lever. With the engine running, turn on the heater full blast to see how hot it gets, and how quickly. Switch on the air conditioning and make sure it quickly blows cold.
If the car has a CD player, try loading and ejecting a disc. Roof: Check the headliner and roof trim for stains or sags to see whether water is leaking through ill-fitting doors or windows. Check to see that the sunroof or moonroof opens and closes properly and seals well when shut. Inspect a convertible top for tears by shining a flashlight up into it. Trunk: Use your nose as well as your eyes. Sniff and look for signs of water entry. See whether the carpeting feels wet or smells musty, and check the spare-tire well for water or rust.
First inspect the general condition of the engine bay. Dirt and dust are normal, but be wary if you see oil splattered about or on the pavement below.
Also be on the lookout for a battery covered with corrosion, or wires and hoses hanging loose. The rubber should be firm and supple, not rock-hard, cracked, or mushy. Feel the drive belts to determine whether they are frayed. Engine oil should be dark brown or black but not gritty. If the oil is honey-colored, it was just changed. If the dipstick has water droplets on it or shows gray or foamy oil, it could indicate a cracked engine block or blown head gasket, two serious problems.
Check the automatic-transmission fluid with the engine warmed up and running. On some vehicles, the dipstick has two sets of marks for checking when the engine is either cold or warm. Power-steering and brake fluids should be within the safe zone. The coolant should be greenish or orange, not a milky or rusty color. Greenish stains on the outside of the radiator are a sure sign of leaks. These reveal the condition of just one cell and might not give an accurate reading on the health of the whole battery.
If the battery has filler caps, wipe off the top with a rag, then carefully pry off or unscrew the caps to look at the liquid level. A low level may mean that the battery has been working too hard. Any competent mechanic can check out the charging system and do a load test on the battery.
Electric vehicles and hybrids: Make sure the battery is fully charged before a test drive, so you can observe its projected range. For hybrids, check the in-car display to ensure that the battery is charging and discharging while you drive.
Inspect the interior by sitting in all the seats and looking for unusual wear and tear in the upholstery, says CARFAX.
If the interior of the car smells musty, check the carpet and floor mats for signs of a a leak or water damage. You may want to turn the key to the "accessory" position before starting the engine, says KBB. You should see all the dashboard warning lights go on. If they do not light up, or stay on when you turn the ignition, make sure the issue is inspected. When you start the engine, KBB recommends listening for tapping and clicking sounds, which could indicate a problem.
While on a test drive, keep your eyes and ears open. CARFAX suggests driving the car on different types of roads and at varying speeds to see if the transmission shifts smoothly. Make sure to note any unusual engine or brake noises, and whether all of the electronics in the car are working properly.
Low-mileage used cars can certainly be appealing, but it doesn't necessarily make them a great deal. Low mileage can certainly mean less wear and tear and a longer life. However, if a car is driven infrequently , AutoTrader says that the plastic and rubber parts on the vehicle may dry out and get brittle. It's also better for the drivetrain when the vehicle is used consistently. It's smart to check the mileage on a used vehicle, but keep in mind that how the vehicle has been maintained and used may be more important that what the odometer says.
Any car leaking fluids is generally a red flag for a needed repair. Black fluid might be an indicator of leaking oil, while green, yellow or pink fluid may indicate a leak in antifreeze and reddish fluid could be a leak in the transmission or power-steering fluid, says Cars. To help ensure you're being charged a fair price, make sure to compare prices for the same make, model and year with several sources. Checking and dealer prices can simply be done online.
Even though condition and mileage will play a role in price, you can still get a ballpark figure of the vehicle's market value. There's a lot of information online that can help you check on a particular vehicle's history as well as whether there are any recalls on it.
Checking a VIN decoder chart is a quick way to see if a used car's VIN information matches up with what's in the vehicle title and records, according to Edmunds. The VIN can also be used to see if there are any recalls on the vehicle. Keep in mind, however, that there may not be information on an older vehicle, any nonsafety-related recalls or recently announced recalls.
Certain brands and international vehicles may also not be listed. Review the Vehicle History Report A vehicle history report can help you see title problems, ownership history, service points and previous accidents, says KBB. You can get a vehicle history report online for a fee by entering the VIN or license plate number, says Edmunds. If you're buying through a dealer, though, they may provide a history report for free.
Purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned CPO car can be a wise choice because it usually offers the buyer an extra level of quality assurance. KBB states that each manufacturer has different standards for CPO vehicles, but they're typically less than five years old and have less than 75, miles on them.
Generally, the dealer has checked all major systems and reconditioned the vehicle. Many dealers also offer these vehicles with warranties. To help ensure you're buying a car you really like , Edmunds recommends that you don't rush into buying a used car. Tread depth should be above minimum wear indicators. Taillights, indicators, number plate lights, park lights and reverse lights should all be in good working order.
If you notice that the lights are not working properly on the used car, ask for them to be replaced so you can verify it is not an electrical or wiring fault. With the engine cold, remove the radiator coolant cap and check that the coolant is clean and brightly coloured and free of any rust.
Purchasing a used car can save you money. But if there are fluid leaks, then repairing them could cost you more over the long run. Smoke is a bad thing. So are undue noises and knocking sounds that come from underneath the car. These could be indicators of an exhaust system issue. Different cars have different accessories. So be sure to test things like the air conditioning, fans, parking sensors, reverse camera, power windows, the navigation system and stereo.
Safety comes first. So confirm that seat belts are in good condition; that locking mechanisms work and that the belts extend and retract smoothly. Give the steering wheel a check too. Just to make sure it turns with ease and feels nice and sturdy. Check that all doors open and close easily. And latch firmly. This includes the bonnet and boot, or tailgate. Check the body for any loose, misaligned or mismatched panels. Make sure there is no evidence of rust, crash repairs or hail damage.
Inspect the exterior for things like paint overspray, dents, ripples or creases. A faded paint job could mean that the car has spent more time exposed to the elements than it has being properly garaged.
And bumps and scrapes could indicate that a previous owner was overall reckless with handling the car. Use your best judgement to determine whether or not wear to the interior is consistent with the age and kilometres of the car.
The car should definitely be clean and free of any odd smells. A clean interior tells you that the car has likely been well looked after. Nobody wants to buy a second hand car with a second hand smell. Again, this all depends on the make and model. What is considered normal for a hot hatch or saloon might not be the same for an MPV: Roadster or targa.
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