One of these days, your budget will allow you to buy a car. But why get a brand new one if you can have some money left over when you buy a used car? You still need to be careful, however, with a used car: there are many things that you need to check out before buying anything. Here are a few things that you should check when you lift the hood up and scrutinize the car's innards.
First, before checking, make sure that the car is on level ground. This will allow you to look for any sagging or off-balance materials in the car. Keeping the car on an incline plane can mask imperfections that could translate into wrecks one day.
Second, check out the trunk. Is there any sign of rust? What about water entry through a hole or a crack? If you see that the trunk has been worn out, then the car might have been used for a long while, and probably abused too.
Third, look under the hoot. Are there rust spots, damaged spots, and dents? The car might have been damaged or involved in a collision. You may also check for the vehicle identification number, which you can find just inside where the hood joins your fender. If this number is missing, then the fender may have been replaced.
Fourth, look at the belts and hoses. Do they have any cracks? Is the radiator hose soft? This could be a sign of a poorly maintained, and hence defective engine.
Fifth, how are the car seats and upholstery? Are there stains, tears, or rips?
Sixth, how is the air conditioning? Does it actually work? If you really need air conditioning, get a car that has R134 coolant. You can tell that it has this by either asking the dealer or looking for the sticker, which you can find on the condenser.
Seventh, check the mileage. Look at the car's odometer. Mileage will tell you how old the car is and how long it's been used. A car will use as much as 15,000 miles in one year; cars will age through both time and mileage. So if you see a car with very low mileage that is already a decade old, then you may still be in trouble.
Inspect the engine for leaks and stains, since repairs for this may be expensive. Is the brake fluid leaking? Is the oil filler cap blocked with a foamy residue? Does the fluid on the transmission dipstick come out red or pink? All these are signs that the engine is older or has not been maintained. Make sure that you check all these.
For more information, talk to your dealer, or a car expert.
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