Things to Check while Shopping for a Used Car

[Adam Smith]

Shopping for cars is an exciting yet stressful task. There are colours, models and above all, the condition of the car to be checked, and it’s anything but a cakewalk. Especially when you’re on the look-out for used cars on sale, there are gazillion things you need to be sure of. Some of the most important ones are:

Take the car for a test drive
Nothing ensures better service than the obligatory ‘test drive’. One can take it to be tested on a variety of terrains and see how well-resistant and well-responsive it is. You’d be able to get a good feel of how the car shifts and responds to sharp turns. It’ll be a testimony to the condition of the brakes with stop-and-go. Other things you should be extremely sure about are: Weird engine noises and electronic malfunctions. The Aesthetics:

Check for damages
The aesthetics of a vehicle play a large part in determining the value of it. For this reason, you should make sure to inspect the upholstery of the seats very carefully, along with any sign of damage or repair on the external body of the car. This means that you should only go for a car if it has been repaired professionally and the signs of repair or damage are not prominently visible. Make sure to open and check the hood and take a good look at the engine and accessories. If some parts are dusty and rust-ridden, it is a strong indication that the car has seen some bad times.  

Check for leaks:
Make sure that no fuel is leaking out of the vehicle. When you’re taking the car for test-driving, make it a point to park in a clean spot and let it run for a while. After a few minutes have passed, move the car and do a visible inspection for any leaking substances. If you see dark black fluid leaking out, it might be an indicator of an oil leak. Green fluid may indicate a leak in anti-freeze, and pink fluid may indicate a transmission leak.

Get it inspected by a mechanic
Before deciding on a final purchase, you need to have your car inspected by a car mechanic. A mechanic is the experienced professional who is going to adequately identify the hidden problems or glitches in the vehicle, and also assist in determining the real or actual value of the car. Going through this procedure is a must if you wish to avoid major technical problems arising from an intrinsic weakness in the structure and machinery of the vehicle.

Owner’s certificate
It is advisable to purchase a certified pre-owned car since it offers the buyer added amount of assurance on quality. A lot of local car dealers who put up used vehicles for sale, stamp them with warranties that extend well into and beyond the ‘initial coverage’ period.

Vehicle History Report:
Last but not least, one should get a report of vehicle history from the car dealer prior to finalising a purchase. A vehicle history report makes you aware of things like: title problems, ownership history, service points, accidents and sabotages, if any. You can get these reports directly from the dealer themselves, or you can order it online.