What to look out for when buying used cars?

Posted in: used cars |

My budget is only limited for used cars, and I have no idea what to check with them when buying (like under the hood) so that I won’t get "cheated" after. I don’t want to be buying the car only to find something broken after a few drives.

Thank you.

That’s why you let the professionals do it. Never purchase a used car without having a certified mechanic do a complete mechanical inspection on the vehicle.

As a consumer you must run a VIN check on the car (Carfax, Autocheck) and you can visually inspect the car for cleanliness, rust, dents, broken parts or pieces. You can look for signs of wrecks or repairs, check the tires inspect under the hood for worn belts, hoses and dirty fluids. You must also take the car for a good long test drive to check it out on the road. Include some highway miles during this test drive and turn OFF the radio so you can hear the car. Make sure you check all of the electrical switches and interior components to make sure they finction as they should. Look under the car for leaks. Your focus needs to be on determining how well the previous owner cared for the car. If they took really good care of the car that’s a good sign. If the car looks abused or neglected you need to take that into consideration but you have to look well past the new wax job, the tire shine and the recently shampooed carpets.

The most important item is the mechanical condition of the car and the only way to do that is to have a professionally trained technician perform a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

6 Responses to “What to look out for when buying used cars?”

  1. Uditha Says:

    Check This:

    http://www.srilancars.com/buycaradvice

    Hope will useful
    References :
    http://www.srilancars.com/buycaradvice

  2. kelly_f_1999 Says:

    type into search box

    how to check a used car

    wil find a checklist to help you look for signs of problems
    References :

  3. mccoyblues Says:

    That’s why you let the professionals do it. Never purchase a used car without having a certified mechanic do a complete mechanical inspection on the vehicle.

    As a consumer you must run a VIN check on the car (Carfax, Autocheck) and you can visually inspect the car for cleanliness, rust, dents, broken parts or pieces. You can look for signs of wrecks or repairs, check the tires inspect under the hood for worn belts, hoses and dirty fluids. You must also take the car for a good long test drive to check it out on the road. Include some highway miles during this test drive and turn OFF the radio so you can hear the car. Make sure you check all of the electrical switches and interior components to make sure they finction as they should. Look under the car for leaks. Your focus needs to be on determining how well the previous owner cared for the car. If they took really good care of the car that’s a good sign. If the car looks abused or neglected you need to take that into consideration but you have to look well past the new wax job, the tire shine and the recently shampooed carpets.

    The most important item is the mechanical condition of the car and the only way to do that is to have a professionally trained technician perform a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
    References :

  4. Dale Says:

    Look it over. Drive it, smell it, yes I said smell. If it has a bad smell inside or under the hood, or anywhere else, pass on it.
    If anything does not feel right to you, don’t buy it.
    Go with your instincts, that’s how you learn.
    References :

  5. enlytened Says:

    You should be very careful when buying used cars – from dealers or private sellers. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of shady business in the industry. Send these guys an email: http://www.texasautonegotiators.com – they’ll help you out at no charge.
    References :
    http://www.texasautonegotiators.com

  6. Sam Says:

    You also should compare car insurance quotes for cars before buying one, for example here – carquotes.fateback.com
    References :

Leave a Reply