How to inspect a car before buying it

Some buyers of used cars respond to ads approaching these vehicles with great concern and anxiety, such anxiety is rarely justified, but careful inspection is fully justified

You will need to:
  • Kelley Blue Book
  • Consumer Reports
  • Budget requests for used cars
Steps to follow:

one

Look at the exterior of the car, if the paint is new, ask when the car was painted, beware of cheap details such as € 100 paint jobs, often distracting attention from big problems like internal rust.

two

Check the bumper and wheels for signs of rust, dents or putty, then look for rust on the rest of the vehicle, without forgetting to look at the bottom parts, the outer rust may indicate more in areas that are not seen.

3

Inspect both sides of the vehicle, as well as the back, front and underneath observe any sign of major repairs on the body of the car, look for inconsistencies: Are the edges of the bonnet and the door panels aligned with the fenders and other side panels ? Does the vehicle's frame appear to be aligned correctly? these inconsistencies can be clues to previous damage.

4

Open the door, check the interior for damage to the upholstery, wear and tear of the sun, and general appearance.

5

Lift the hood, look at the general cleanliness of the engine, see if there is rust in the exhaust manifold and oil leaks around the valve cover and the joint head.

6

Check the oil on the rod by rubbing against the thumb (make sure the engine is well). If you feel small particles in the oil the engine can be used or has other problems.

7

Start the engine, it should start immediately.

8

Take the car for a test, check the brakes, they should not scream and they should stop the car at a short enough distance.

9

Test the transmission for the slip, put on the emergency brake, press the clutch pedal and make the changes (if the vehicle has a manual transmission), there should not be any shredding sound.

10

Make sure all the lights (front and rear) work, as well as the windshield wipers, turn signals and the radio.

eleven

Ask to see a current environmental pollution certificate, if necessary in your state.

12

Ask to see a maintenance record of the car, see if the car had oil changes and regular checks (maintenance plans vary by model), also request information about additional work that has been done in the car and ask to see the receipts.

Tips
  • As a final precautionary measure, take the car to a mechanic, who must charge a reasonable fee to check a used car, the seller must accept this, but you may have to leave a deposit, if the seller does not let you take the car, offers to meet with him or her in a garage convenient for both parties.
  • If you give the seller a deposit in order to get the car to be checked, be sure to write an agreement stating that the deposit will be returned immediately if you decide not to buy the car.
  • If the vehicle's mileage seems unusually low, a mechanic determines if someone has tampered with the odometer, if so, the seller must return the money you have paid and may be liable for damages under federal and state odometer laws .