What To Look For In Used Car

Used Auto Buying Research
Planning for a used car viewing
What to check when viewing a used automobile
What to check when test driving a used car
Questions to enquire when buying a used auto
Getting the best deal on a used machine
In conclusion

Viewing and test driving a motorcar can be very daunting, particularly if you're not mechanically minded. So how do you know what to look for when buying a used car?

Thankfully we've put together a comprehensive and printable used car inspection checklist for you to follow. By following our guidance, you'll be in a much meliorate position to spot possible issues, and become the all-time deal when ownership a second hand car.

Used Car Buying Research

Before viewing a used car, you'll need to do some research and so that you know what to wait out for on the day.

Mutual issues

Information technology'due south important to uncover common issues that the car you're looking to purchase may suffer from. Detect owners forums online; they're a goldmine of data. Current owners are best placed to advise what may go wrong, and how plush information technology may be if they practice.

Y'all may not even need to inquire the question yourself, as it's likely many people earlier you accept had the same concerns. Just browse the threads, and make a note of any common issues you come beyond.

Reviews

Wait up online reviews and videos of the car you're looking to buy. This will give you a greater breadth of cognition, and it volition once more help you identify annihilation that you may want to cheque when viewing the car yourself.

Cheque prices

Value for money is always an important factor when purchasing a used car. Await up prices of like cars and become a experience for the market.

Take into consideration whether the sales are from individual or trade sellers, equally trade sales volition generally command a higher price tag.

Costs

Before viewing a used car, yous'll desire a crude idea of how much it's going to cost you to run.

Service intervals and costs, full general maintenance, spare parts, and insurance costs all add upwards in the long-run, so get a rough idea of these before viewing. The owners forums and online reviews tin help you again here.

Fuel efficiency is another important cost, particularly if you lot're going to be putting a lot of miles on the clock.

Planning for a used car viewing

There are diverse factors you need to consider when planning to view and examination bulldoze a used auto.

When and where

If y'all're buying from a dealer then this is fairly straightforward. However, if you're buying from a private seller information technology becomes trickier.

You should always try and view the machine at the home of the seller. There are three reasons for this:

Y'all're less likely to exist scammed than if yous met in a public identify
So y'all can bank check the paperwork matches the owner'due south address
So yous can cheque where the car has been kept, and whether there are any obvious leaks where it has been parked

Also, e'er arrange the visit during daylight hours. Darkness tin hibernate a number of issues, including bodywork damage.

Budgeting for a used machine

Based on the online research you've washed, come up up with an idea of how much you think the car is worth and what you're willing to pay.

This may differ slightly once you've viewed the car, just it'southward skilful to go in with a ballpark figure in your mind.

Questions to ask

There will be plenty of time to ask questions when you lot're viewing the car, but it's a good idea to ask some initial questions before arranging the viewing to ensure y'all're not wasting your time.

Has the auto ever been in an accident?
Are y'all the registered keeper?
Volition I exist able to accept it on a test drive?

If the answer to question 1 is yes, you'll need to consider whether you'd be happy to purchase a machine that has previously had potentially serious repairs. If the repairs weren't carried out well, it could mean the car is dangerous to drive.

If the answer to questions ii or three is no, you'll need to consider why not. There may be a good reason, but the seller could exist trying to hide something from you lot.

What to check when viewing a used car

Nosotros've included all of the main points in a handy PDF document for y'all to download hither. You lot can take this with you to view the motorcar, and check things off every bit yous go.

Only here are the details on what you'll need to check:

Exterior

Bodywork

Walk around the automobile scanning for any defects in the bodywork. Hunker at each corner and look along the lines of the automobile; are there any dents, chips or ripples?

If you do spot rippling in any of the panels, yous can use the magnet test (video beneath) to check if it'southward been repaired and filled before.

Besides check for any unusually big gaps between panels. This is some other sign that the car may take been in an accident and had a bad repair job.

Rust tin can exist a huge issue, and one you'll demand to await out for. It'due south whatever motorist's worst nightmare, with expert reason. Check in the following places:

Nether the doors and inside the door frames
In the wheel wells and effectually the arches
Effectually the windshield and window seals
Open the trunk and check the hinges, and under the carpet

Rust doesn't mean you should automatically walk away, as it can be repaired if caught early on enough. If it is rife, though, information technology will end up costing you a significant amount to put right. Worse still, it could make the car unsafe to bulldoze.

Glass

Check the windshield and windows for signs of fries or cracks. Over time, chips can develop into cracks if they're non filled. If this happens, you may have to pay for replacement drinking glass which tin can be very costly.

Tires

Check how much tread is left on each tire. If there'due south not much left, it won't be long before yous accept to supplant the tires. Y'all can use the penny method if you're in the USA, or the 20p method if you're in the UK.

Tires should wear evenly from ane sidewall to the other, so audit the total width. If any tires are wearing unevenly, the motorcar'due south alignment may exist out. This isn't as well expensive to fix, merely could exist a sign of a bigger upshot.

Each of the tires should be the same brand, preferably a well known brand. This is a adept indicator that the previous possessor hasn't skimped on maintenance due to costs. Exist sure to check the spare as well, if it has 1.

Lights

Bank check the lights for any signs of impairment, including chips and cracks. We'll check whether they're operating later on.

Suspension

Have a few steps dorsum from the auto and walk around it. Check that it's sitting level.

Push down on each corner to check the daze absorbers. It should only bounce once.

Grab each tire 1 at a time, and pull it towards you lot. If you hear a clunking racket, information technology could be the bike bearing or suspension joints on the manner out.

Interior

Upholstery

Look out for any tears, stains, and full general wear. If it's an older car, then it'due south probable the driver's seat will accept an element of article of clothing, but anything more than serious could cease up costing a fair amount to set.

Smell

What does information technology aroma like within? Pungent smells such equally smoke or pets can be very tough to become rid of, and then will you be happy driving the automobile if that'southward non possible?

If it smells clammy, y'all may have a bigger problem. H2o could be leaking into the cabin, ofttimes from the window seals or sunroof. This can cause a whole host of issues, including rust. Take a look under the mats to bank check.

Electrics

Turn the primal in the ignition, simply don't switch the engine on yet. Test all the buttons and switches, including the windows, radio, electric mirrors and air conditioning.

Electrical problems can be very costly to diagnose and fix, and so this is an important one.

Headliner

The headliner is the fabric secured to the roof frame. Over time, this fabric tin become loose and detach itself from the lining.

If the headliner is starting to sag in the car you're viewing, it's likely it volition just get worse from here. Replacing it can be costly, and it's one that volition need to be done sooner or after equally it volition make it the way.

Engine bay

Overall condition

Is information technology clean and does it look similar it's been well maintained? Check for signs of rust, specially at the corners where the windshield is attached.

Fluids

Use the dipstick to check the oil level and color. It should be a dark brown color. If information technology'due south lighter in colour, it's likely to accept only been changed. If the oil is gritty, it could be a sign of an issue waiting to happen.

Check the oil filler cap for signs of a mayonnaise-like substance. This could indicate the caput gasket is on the way out; a costly gear up.

Power steering and brake fluids should be between the minimum and maximum markers.

Belts & hoses

Examine the drive belts and run your mitt over them to check they're not damaged in whatsoever way.

Feel the hoses leading to the radiator and other areas to ensure the safety isn't solid. Any white staining is a sign of possible problems in the futurity.

Radiator

Mod cars accept a sealed cooling system, and then they shouldn't need to be topped upward with coolant. Cheque the level in the reservoir is betwixt the min & max markers.

If the engine is cold, open up the cap and take a look at the color of the coolant. Information technology comes in a multifariousness of colors, including blue, green, and red, only make sure it looks clean. It shouldn't exist rusty or milky colored.

Battery

Bank check the expanse around the battery terminals for rust (some are located in the torso).

You lot can also cheque the battery's charge if you bring a multimeter with you lot. Fully charged motorcar batteries should be at 12.half dozen volts or in a higher place. Multimeters are very inexpensive to buy, and can assistance you spot any potential issues with the alternator… which y'all definitely don't want!

Underneath the car

Components

Use your flashlight to cheque all components for signs of damage, rust, or welding. Ask the seller for further information on the welded areas if any are present; you'll need as much information on past repairs equally possible.

Leaks

Cheque the floor where the car is parked for any signs of leaks. If the seller doesn't know what's leaking, y'all could end upwards paying for the cost of finding the leak, also as any parts and labor required to fix information technology.

Tailpipe

At the back of the machine, examine the tailpipe for signs of rust. Also feel the pipage (if it hasn't been driven recently) for residual. This could be a sign that the car is called-for oil.

Bumpers & rocker panels (sills)

Movement effectually to the front of the vehicle and check underneath for signs of impairment. Cars with low ground clearance are often damaged in this area, afterwards years of existence scraped on depression kerbs and speed bumps.

A similar check tin can be made on the rocker panels (sills).

What to check when exam driving a used car

Temperature estimate

Plow the central in the ignition, but don't start the automobile yet. Is the temperature gauge showing that the automobile has been warmed beforehand? If so, the seller could have purposely warmed it upwardly to try and hibernate something.

If the engine is cold, check that information technology starts well. Get out information technology running for a while to test if it comes upwards to temperature nicely. The estimate should rise to the midpoint and stay there. If information technology keeps going and the motorcar starts overheating, at that place is a serious issue.

Once the engine is warm, switch it off and kickoff information technology once again to ensure the car starts well when warm.

Clutch

In one case you get out on the route, check the clutch for signs of wear. This is one of the virtually essential parts, and is likely to be very plush if it needs replacing.

Pay attention to any unusual noises, smells or slippage. It should likewise pull away cleanly every time, non judder.

Transmission

The gears should all select cleanly with no crunching or grinding noises. If yous're testing a manual car, the gear stick should centre itself in neutral.

If yous're testing an automatic auto, ensure all the changes are smoothen and at that place'southward no delay in gear date.

Steering

If the car you're testing has ability steering, it should be easy to operate and not feel besides heavy. Also listen out for any unusual noises whilst steering.

You will need to ensure the motorcar is tracking correctly. Note whether there are any vibrations through the bike as y'all're driving, and whether the steering wheel sits off middle when driving directly.

If it'south safe to practice then (perhaps in a quiet auto park), have your easily abroad from the wheel equally you lot're moving to see whether the auto pulls to i side.

Brakes

When it'southward safe to do and so, examination the brakes by pushing hard on the brake pedal. Annotation whether there are any vibrations, grinding noises, and whether the car pulls to ane side.

Are the brakes responsive, or does the pedal sink to the floor? If it's the latter, at that place could be a leak in the braking system.

Park on a slope and appoint the handbrake whilst in neutral. The car should remain in place if the handbrake is in good condition.

Engine

Is the engine running smoothly, or is it sounding rough? Be sure to turn the radio off and close the windows when driving and then that you can focus on the engine noise.

Note any unusual sounds coming from the engine, and investigate farther if necessary. You tin can also park up safely and pop the hood open up to listen out for anything amiss.

Your overall satisfaction

Are you happy with the style the motorcar drives in general? Does it provide the performance you expected, and is it comfortable enough for you? Did anything irritate yous, or would you be happy doing long journeys?

Questions to ask when buying a used car

It's important to ask the correct questions of the seller when ownership a used car. Here are some basic questions that will help you lot in your purchasing determination.

Why are you selling the automobile?

This is a keen question to examination the seller's response. Is it merely that they've owned the car for a long time and are looking for something new, or are they looking to offload a problematic vehicle?

How many previous owners has it had?

Generally, the lower the better. If the car has had a large number of previous owners, it could again propose that it has caused issues for people in the past.

Can I see the paperwork?

Looking through a used auto's paperwork can give you vital clues as to how well the previous owners maintained the vehicle. You should look out for proof of service history (service intervals tin exist researched online or found in the car'due south handbook) and invoices for whatever piece of work carried out.

Check the VIN specified in the documentation matches the number stamped on the car's chassis. There are plenty of online services that allow you to bank check the history of the vehicle using the VIN.

These services also place reports of damage and protect you confronting buying a stolen car.

Where has the vehicle been kept?

In an ideal earth, the car volition have been kept in a garage whilst not in use to protect information technology from the elements. It's not the stop of the world if this isn't the instance, only if it's been kept on a busy route there may be more risk of paintwork damage than if it's been kept on a driveway.

Y'all can as well enquire to examine the area where the vehicle has been kept for any signs of residue that may take leaked from the car.

Has it been damaged in the past?

Sellers often endeavour and hide previous accident damage, and then it's skilful to grab them off-baby-sit with this question. Of course, if it's a dishonest seller they may not tell yous the truth, so be sure to do the bodywork tests mentioned earlier in this article for peace of listen.

Have at that place been any modifications?

Some people similar to add together their own personal touches to their vehicles, which is fine whilst it's under their ownership. Notwithstanding, their gustatory modality may not match yours, and then you'll need to check you're happy with any modifications that have been made, or you'll end upwards with the boosted price of reversing the changes.

Are there any issues that weren't mentioned in the description?

An honest seller should ever include whatsoever bug in the description, just often adverts don't provide plenty space to do so. Asking this question ensures that you lot're fully informed before making your purchasing decision.

Getting the all-time deal on a used car

At that place are frequently multiple cars on the market at varying prices, so how do you ensure you're getting the best deal on the car you've chosen?

Come prepared

You'll accept done your enquiry earlier viewing the car, then ensure you have a good understanding of what you call up it's worth in comparison to other similar vehicles. Come with a budget in mind.

Make a notation of all the issues you come up across as you're looking at the car, and once you lot've examination driven information technology. Take the seller through each of the bug and apply them as a negotiating point to drive the toll down.

Be prepared to walk away

If you're making an offer, start lower than your maximum upkeep. It's likely the seller will make a counter offer.

You may have your eye attack the vehicle you're viewing, but if the seller isn't willing to encounter your valuation so be prepared to walk away.

There will be more on the market, and the seller may well get back in contact at a later stage to renegotiate.

Tin whatever extras be thrown in?

Small extras tin add upwards. You could inquire the seller to fill the fuel tank before taking information technology off their easily, for case. They may exist willing to do this if it gets the deal over the line.

If you're ownership from a dealer, you could inquire for the car to be serviced earlier you buy information technology. Y'all may also want them to provide a warranty.

Exist prepared to put downward a deposit

If you've viewing a auto but aren't able to drive it away the same day, be prepared to put down a deposit.

Sellers often come beyond 'tire-kickers' and will be unwilling to take the car off the market on your discussion lonely. You take a much ameliorate chance of reserving the machine if you lot can offer them a eolith on the day.

A depository financial institution transfer is meliorate than cash equally there's an electronic trail, and always ask the seller for a receipt. Particularly if you're ownership privately.

Be vigilant

Be aware of common tricks that car sellers pull, and don't give in to high-pressure tactics.

Most of all, stay safe. There are a lot of scammers out in that location and if something doesn't experience right, walk away.

Trust your instincts

Gut feeling is disquisitional in any auto purchase, and if something seems besides good to be true, information technology often is.

Don't hesitate to take a few days to think about whether you desire to brand an offer, even if you actually liked the automobile you lot merely viewed.

In conclusion

There are enough of ways that you tin can prepare yourself for viewing a used car, but most chiefly:

Do your research
Come with a plan
Utilize our checklist
Trust your instincts

There'southward always an element of run a risk when buying a used vehicle, but if you follow our guide and take our checklist with you on the day, you lot are seriously reducing the chances of getting burnt.

Skilful luck!