What Should I Look For When Buying a Used Car?
Buying a used car is very exciting. It is fun to drive a different car, and when shopping for used cars, your options are practically endless. However, you need to be vigilant when looking at these vehicles if you don’t want to buy a lemon. There are a few easy things that you can look for when buying a used car that will help you find a great deal. You don’t want to be stuck with hefty repair costs so you need to be sure you are buying a reliable car.
Look at the Tires
A car’s tires say more about the car than you would imagine. Check to see how new the tires are first. Make sure the tread is good and that any wear on the tires is even. Uneven wear patterns on the tires can signify any number of things. If the majority of the wear on the tire is in the middle, it means the tires have been driven constantly while over inflated. Likewise if the wear is greatest on the sides, it means that the car was constantly driven with under inflated tires. If what you see is uneven wear along the entire tread of the tire, the car in question may have steering or suspension issues. You’ll want to know about any suspension or steering issues before you buy a used car so it is important to take a good look at the tires first.
Check the Suspension
First and foremost, the car should be level. Once you are certain that the car is level, go to each corner of the vehicle and bounce it. If the used car’s suspension is in solid functioning shape, the car should only bounce one time. If what you see is a car that bounces up and down, the vehicle has suspension issues that need to be addressed and you should probably look at a different used car instead.
Smell It
Open the doors to the car and take a good smell. Your nose will tell you alot. Mildewy and moldy smells are pretty good indicators of water damage. Water damage is the last thing that you want to deal with when it comes to cars so it is best to walk away from any car that has experienced a decent amount of water damage. Furthermore, you may open the car and smell a foul, smoky odor. This is a good indication that the previous owner was a smoker. Depending on your own preferences this may be a deal breaker or may not be. However, if the odor is still present, you should at least try to get the used car for less than the asking price.
Turn It On
Get in the car and turn the key. Make sure all the indicator lights on the dashboard illuminate, and notice how smooth the engine sounds while the car is just idling. The car shouldn’t sound labored while idling. If it sounds like it struggles while sitting, it will struggle when it is driven too. Since you are in the car and have it on, try all the switches to make sure they work, windows, radio, heated seats, air conditioner, heater, etc. Obviously, you want to buy a used car that is in proper working condition. Be sure to see how good the heater and air conditioner are because they are going to be important features of your daily commute.
Get an Independent Inspection
Even after you give a used car a thorough inspection, you should still take the car to a professional mechanic. They will be able to take an in-depth look at all of the engine and transmission components to be sure the car is in good shape. You don’t want to buy a used car without knowing what condition its in.
When you’re ready to shop for a great used car, come and visit our showroom at Fairless Motors. We have a huge inventory of used cars and a professional sales team that will help you find whatever you are looking for!