Top Things to Look for When Buying a Used Car

[nissangirl74]

I want to write a new article for the homepage but I need everyone's input first. I want to compile a list of the top ten things you should look for when buying a used car. Face it. More and more people these days can't afford to go out and buy a new car. They also can't afford to get shafted by a sleazy dealer wanting to make a fat commission or someone from Craigslist trying to pass on their problem to someone else.

Thanks in advance!

and........................GO!

[Jesda]

Blood stains -- Do a taste test to determine whether its human or animal.

[TurboSauce]

Oil levels, leaks, bald/balding tires, body damage, rust (surface&cancer), accident history, service history, and parts cost for the vehicle in question. I.e. the price to replace things such as engine, gearbox, transmission, etc. And then you should go online and google search common problems for the vehicle in question and then cross check if those problems are present or not with the vehicle you're looking at.
You should also check the similar prices for the same vehicle to make sure you're not over paying, and in the case that you're underpaying the current street value you know there's something wrong.

[Jesda]

I'd be suspicious of anything where the owner warmed it up prior to your arrival.

[krazy skwerelette]

Compression test and check all basic electrical functions. Hazards, lights, etc.

[raremotive]

I'd be suspicious of anything where the owner warmed it up prior to your arrival.

Agreed, best when served cold.

From memory my list of checks to do, no order to them:

Check in between body panels, they should have an even gap. If not then the panels have been tampered with. Repeatedly open and close doors to hear a consistent door shutting sound *clunk*. Anything other can mean mis-aligned doors or frame damage. See if the door sticker is still there. See if the VIN matches at other posted locations.

Tires are good place to look. Often times I see outside treads worn out. This means owner drove under-inflated. It's also an indicator of poor maintenance.
Look around rims for curb rash and if the outside wall has a hole-ly worn pattern around the corner of the tire between the sidewall and threads, driver is aggressive with the car.

Looking at the spare tire is also a could be a good indicator if owner had trouble-free operation with vehicle.

Check to see if keys open all doors and airbag switch if equipped.

Check under the car to see if it's still intact, try to spot rust spots. Look under the front of the car, look for signs of bottoming out.

When driving, you should be able to establish the car goes straight even if you let go the steering wheel. If FWD drive in slow tight clockwise and counterclock-wise circles, if car clunks while turning the car will need axle repairs.

Listen to noises, should be normal wind/engine/tire noise. Anything else can be a problem.

How does the transmission shift?

How does the brakes feel? You should be able to peek at the rotors during initial to see their conditions. Pads might be harder to see if the rim is mostly enclosed.

Look at the cigarette lighter heating element and inside the hole on the dash where it plugs into, if quite dirty then most likely car has been smoked in.

Play with the A/C unit to see if it blows cold and hot.

Use the wipers.

Don't listen to the sales person about the car.

Stick to your guts, not your emotions. Stand your position and don't be afraid to walk away.

Keep in mind when buying used, you could be buying someone else's problem.

[asoomal]

With a FWD, floor it when turning sharp corners. Turn the wheels side to side, lock to lock, while flooring it.

It shouldn't clunk or click.

Also, if it is a standard transmission, stick it in the last 2 gears and try to start off a line with it, it should immediately stall, unless you slip the crap out of it.