How to Do a New Car Walk-Around

Once you have found the "one", don't be to eager to sign papers, this can cause you to overpay, I recommend acting interested, but make the salesman wait for it. Ask him to let you look alone while you think about it. This gives you time for a walk-around without the pressure of someone breathing down your neck, and diverting your attention from what he doesn't want you to see.

I begin by walking around the car, checking to see what the paint looks like from different angles. What are you are looking for is runs, ripples, uneven spots, or areas that are slightly a different color. This can indicate that the car has been in an accident or has been repainted, or possibly had body work done. I recommend walking around the car both directions as to get a better look at the car, and don't rush through it, thoroughly examine the car, once you own it you will see a lot more.

Now check under the hood. When you are looking under the hood, look for new parts, bolt heads with fresh wear marks on them, fluid spills around any of the caps, and greasy hand prints around the edges of the inside of the hood compartment. All of these can indicate recent work has been done on the car, the fluid spills can indicate that the car burns oil or leaks something and is constantly topped off, if you see any of these its no reason for alarm, however, these are things you may want to ask the salesperson about which may assist in whether or not you buy the car.

Start the car, with the hood popped. Once it is started, hop out and go back to the hood compartment. Make sure the belts are turning, and then listen for any irregular sounds, such as tapping, knocking, ticking, or squealing. Knocking, is never good. A ticking sound usually indicates the vehicle is low on oil. A squealing sound can indicate a belt is starting to slip, which is usually a cheap fix. Let the car run for 10 or 15 minutes to make sure it doesn't over heat, and if all is well give it a test drive.

When test driving the vehicle, you will want to make sure the car doesn't pull left or right when going straight. Also that the car doesn't make funny sounds when turning sharply left or right. With these things checked, if all is a pass, you may have just found your next car!