Used Car Buying Tips

If you are in the market for a used car you may be a little nervous about the quality of the vehicle you are looking at. This can be especially daunting if you don't know much about cars. If this is your case, try to find someone you know who knows about cars to go along with you when looking at a car. Have them check the car out and give you their opinion before giving the seller an idea of what you think of the car. If you can not find anyone to go with you, ask the seller if you can take a test drive to a local mechanic shop. If the seller does not want to do this, or if there is not a mechanic available in the area, you will have to check out certain areas of the car yourself.

First, walk around the entire car at least twice. Look for accident damage, but not just dings and dents. You should look for areas that do not match the entire body of the car. They will be close to the original color, but you can tell that this spot was painted over. This could be an area that was dented and repaired. Look for good fitment of the front and rear bumpers and all of the body panels. Also, look at the tires and check for uneven wear on all four of the tires. If there are any areas that are wearing unevenly this could indicate that the car has been in an accident and has not been properly repaired.

While you are looking at the outside of the car, note the amount of wear and tear on the exterior. Since the car is used, there will probably be a fair amount of scratches and/or dings. The interior will also show some signs of wear and tear. Sometimes the seats and carpet will be worn, especially the driver's side. If the wear on the car seems a little excessive, try to use it as a bargaining chip when talking about the price of the vehicle.

An important thing to look for in an older car is rust. Rust can spread very quickly in the right climate. Depending on the areas that are rusted, it can be very expensive to repair or replace the parts that are affected.

Now it is time to look under the hood. Check the oil, water level, and all fluid levels. Make sure they are all at the correct levels and are not dirty. Look around at the engine to make sure there is no oil anywhere as this could indicate an oil leak. After looking at the engine, start the vehicle. Make sure there are no knocking or ticking sounds. This is also a good time to make sure all of the lights and signals work properly. Do not buy a car without taking a test drive in it. Make sure the steering is responsive and that the brakes work properly. If these all check out and you feel confident that the car is what you want, make a deal with the seller.