Ten Things You Should Always Inspect When Buying a Used Car

Buying a used yet trouble-free vehicle is not a walk in the park. What`s more, it has nothing to do with good luck but with adequate research and information. Knowing how to discover issues is key to finding a good used car. Additionally, a reliable used car will save you from the stress of pricey vehicle expenses.

Here is a detailed checklist of what you should look out for to buy a good used car.

Odor

Considering that you will spend most of the time inside the car, it helps to inspect interior aspects like odor. When checking the interior, check for moldy or musty smells since they could translate to water leaks. Take out the floor mats to see if there are any wet spots. Besides, an acrid odor may mean that the previous owner was a smoker. Some smells such as smoke and mold can be challenging to eliminate.

Seats

Sit on all the seats, and check if the upholstery is excessively worn. This should not be the case for a low mileage car. Try out the driver`s seat to make sure that it sits comfortably and allows for a decent driving position.

Pedals

A vehicle with low mileage shouldn’t display significant wear. If the rubber is worn out in spots, it shows that the car has been driven a lot.

Engine-related parts

This is among the most important things to check. If the engine is not at its best, the vehicle is basically a lemon. You can begin by inspecting the overall condition of the engine bay. Dust and debris are typical, though spilled oil is not a good sign, especially if it's on or around the pavement beneath.

Moreover, check if the battery has significant corrosion, or if hoses or cables are hanging loose.

Belts and hoses

Press the different rubber hoses within the AC, radiator, and other parts. It is supposed to be supple yet firm and not mushy, hard, or cracked. Also, squeeze the drive belts to see if they are worn.

Leaks

If any fluids are leaking from the car, this is a red flag. Check beneath the vehicle to see if there`s leakage. Yellow and green fluids could translate to an antifreeze leak, while red fluid could mean a leak in the power-steering or transmission fluid.

VIN

The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) will tell you a lot about a car. Check whether the details from the VIN are the same as what`s inside the car, like records and title.

Tire condition

The tires are supposed to be equally worn, and they should all match. If they are uneven or worn excessively, it could mean poor alignment, which could result from frame, suspension, or steering problems. This means that it could move towards the left or right when driving.

Mileage

A typical vehicle will be driven about 20,000 km annually. To find out if the car you`re looking to buy has low or high mileage, divide the mileage covered by the car`s age. A car with higher-than-average mileage could experience a lot of wear on its mechanical parts.

Test drive

Lastly, and obviously, you have to test drive the used vehicle you`re looking to buy. Put it through various tests to assess its braking, maneuverability, suspension, and acceleration. It would help to take it to a highway and attempt parallel parking to see if it has any blind spots.

Following our advice on what to check for before buying used cars will come in handy in helping you buy a reliable one within your budget.