Buying a used car, just like buying a new car, can be a great experience when you have done your research and are confident that the car you are buying will meet your needs and feel comfortable with it. There are seven vital things to check before buying a used car that you determine once you’ve decided on the make and model you want. Doing your research before you hit that checkpoint may involve looking at Consumer Reports data regarding safest, longest-lasting, highest mileage, best comfort, or other criteria that you’ve determined meet your requirements. needs and wishes. These guidelines are for use once you think you’ve found the car you want.
Explore the title. Whether you are buying the car from a dealer or a private individual, it is a good idea to see when the car has changed ownership. If you’ve changed hands more than twice in a three-year period, you may want to ask if there were any problems with the car’s mechanics or if you had an accident. This information is usually on the title itself, so ask the owner or dealer representative to show you the title before you buy.
Check the service history. A car that has records of regular oil changes, brake checks, tire rotations, and regular “checks” to determine its drivability will show that it has been well cared for and should wear out for many more years on the road. When buying from a dealership, buying a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle (CPO) will ensure that it has had a service check and any repairs recently.
Check to see if the car has been in an accident. An accident can affect more than the outward appearance of a car that has been in an accident. The inner workings of the motor, screws and bolts, and even electrical equipment can be shaken and may not show exterior wear until an unexpected occasion. Auto body shops can do an excellent job combining paint and repairing bumpers, but sometimes with careful examination you can see where the work has been done. Just ask.
Verify vital parts are in good condition with a test drive. Brakes, steering, tires, and running engine are important work points when buying a used car, but other considerations to check are flashing lights, windshield wipers, bright lights, power windows, locks, and even Radio. Go to someone, if possible, and have them put on the flashers and bright lights and check the exterior lights of the car.
Check for any fluid leakage from the engine. When you open the hood of the car, before starting the car and even while it is still running, you may be able to see any leaking water, oil, brake fluid or other dripping fluids. Also, go to the rear of the car to make sure the smoke coming out is not a bluish gray as this indicates that the engine parts are worn and may need to be replaced soon.
Check how the car has been used. Low mileage can make a car more valuable, but because cars are designed to last 100,000 miles or more, a 50,000-mile reading isn’t a bad thing. When you can find out how the car was used – traveling long distances every day, business trips across a state or region, or just traveling within the city – you can determine how much wear and tear occurred on the car. If the mileage is low but there is excessive wear on the driver’s seat and floor, you may want to confirm that the odometer has not been tampered with.
Check that you are paying a fair price. A resource called the Kelly Blue Book has been around for 80 years and can give you guidance on what you should pay for your used car. It probably won’t be able to give you a completely accurate picture of the car you’ve chosen because wear, mileage, and other factors may be different for each model featured, but they will help form a range for what it’s worth. Buying a CPO from a dealership may be the best way to buy at the exact price of what the car is worth.
If you have to wait a day or two for all the answers to the seven vital things to check before buying a used car, it may be best to take action if there is a problem. When you buy from an individual, you have no recourse, and even if you buy from a dealer, you have to deal with the hassle of removing it and expecting to have purchased an extended warranty. You want the best used car for the money!