Top 5 Things You Need to Check When Inspecting a Used Car

Purchasing a trouble-free used car can be challenging and it takes more than just luck. You need to do your own research and apply your investigative skills to ensure that the vehicle you are buying is what the seller is really saying it is. 

To determine the actual condition of the car, it's important not to skip on the actual inspection and test drive. During these two events, it's important that you have an idea on how to spot potential problems that could cost you expensive repairs and parts replacements in the future. You can also get a trusted mechanic to help you check the car.

Of course, you might not be able to cover everything during the actual inspection of the vehicle. But make sure that before buying, you should check these five things:

 

1. Vehicle history

The used car you are interested in buying may look good on the outside, but it may have been involved in a major road accident before, been flooded, or who knows what other dark past it may have. You will know for sure by checking the vehicle's history. 

Most sellers would not tell you the details of the vehicle's history but you can get data from law enforcement, insurance companies, and even from the Ministry of Transport.

 

2. Car exterior

The exterior of the car is easier to check because it is mostly about aesthetics. What you are looking for here are dents, rust and scratches. You need to watch out for large gaps and misaligned doors and panels which can indicate sloppy repairs or assembly. 

Check also if the car has been repainted as this is commonly done to hide major problems such as dents and rust. Rust is an important red flag as it can cause you future major repairs. To check for rust, aside from checking the repainted parts, check also the door bottoms, wheel wells and panels.

Another important part to check when running through the interior is the doors. Gently open each door and take note of any loose hinge or weird sounds when closing as they can be a sign of long use or hard use.

Other interior parts you need to check include:

• Suspension - Walk around the car and check if it is leveled. Try to push down on each corner to see if the shock absorbers are working. You will know this if the car will rebound once after pushing it down.
  
• Tires - Check if the car has the same branded tires. Also, check if the treadwear is even across the width of the tread and on both the right and left side of the car. Proper tire pressure is important to your safety and your car's performance and aggressive drivers typically drive in such a way that the wear is heavy on the outside shoulder of the tires in the front. Moreover, tires that are often overinflated tend to wear faster in the middle.
• Sidewalls - For the sidewalls, check for any cracks, scuffing, dents and bulges on each wheel. 

 

3. Car Interior

The car interior also matters because this is where you will be spending most of your travel time as long as you own the car. Once you are ready to check the interior, make sure to tick the following items:

Odor - Do you smell any musty, moldy or mildew odor? If so, it could be a sign of water leaks. Look for a wet spot on the carpet or floor mat. On the other hand, if you are smelling an acrid odor, it is an indication that the previous owner is a smoker. All these different odors can be hard to get rid of.

Pedals - The rubber on the pedals could also give you an indication on whether a vehicle has been driven a lot in the past, without looking at the odometer. If the rubber on a pedal has a worn-through spot, or is newly replaced, that could indicate that the car has been driven a lot. 

Seats - Check if the seats still look great and are not badly worn out. Try to recline the seats to make sure that the levers are still working. 

Controls and instruments - Without starting the engine, turn the ignition switch on. Look out for any warning light that isn't working. 

Trunk - When checking the trunk, use both of your eyes and nose. Look and sniff for water  entry as water entry could lead to rust, and rust to who knows what repairs and replacements it may bring upon your car.

Engine related components - Hoses, belts, fluids, filters, the radiator and the battery play a major part on how a car works. Merely looking at these parts would not tell you the problem, but a knowledgeable car owner or experienced mechanic would know. If you are not confident enough to check these parts, it's a good idea to bring in someone who can scrutinize the overall condition of the engine and its parts.

 

4. Under the Car

Before finishing the inspection, don't forget to look underneath the car. This is where you can check the condition of the structural components of the vehicle. For the basics, check for large dents, rust, or welded parts under the car. This may indicate that the car may have undergone structural damage in the past. And depending on the extent of the damage, it can be a red flag in making a decision.

 

5. Title or papers 

Ideally, you want to buy a used car from its first owner. However, if the history report indicates several titles were already issued for the same car, it means that there were also several owners already before you. If there is only one owner in the past, it is most likely that the car was driven and maintained in a consistent manner.

 

Summary

While it is true that buying a used car has some risks, doing your own research and checking the important things and parts you need to check can help ensure you are getting the best deal.