BY KEVIN SAWYER – Taking the time to inspect a used car before you buy can save a lot of heartache later on. The last thing you want to do is take it out for a test drive before you go through your inspection. So, what do you need to be looking for when you are inspecting any used car?
- Don’t take anything for granted, especially the basic things that should be working properly. Don’t skip over them because they may not be working. Cars that came from warm weather climates, like Florida or California, will be different from those who spent their time in harsh MidWest or New England winters.
- Checking for dents and opening and closing the doors are a must. Do the doors close properly? Check the inside door panels and hinges to see if there is any rust forming. Get underneath the vehicle and check for rust and physical damage that you can see.
- Check the gas cap. Unscrew it and screw it back on. Check the trunk and pop the hood. Is there rust and wear? Do the latches close easily? Check the tires. Stick a penny in the tread. If more than half the penny is showing, the tires are extremely worn down.
- Turn on the lights and the turn signals and honk the horn. Check the outside headlights. If they are cloudy looking then it is possible that they have been weather damaged, possibly the car may have been in a flood. Turn on the inside dome light and make sure it is working. Look at the top left corner of the windshield and check the oil change sticker to see when the last time was that the oil was changed.
- Blast the heat and the air conditioning. Are the fans working OK? Are there any strange smells coming through? Make sure the seats are reclining properly and check the sliders for signs of rust.Check the registration and make sure the numbers match with the VIN numbers that are on the vehicle.
Taking the time to really check out a vehicle you are looking to buy can save you a lot of trouble down the road.
PHOTO CREDIT: Clem Onojeghuo / Unsplash