If you're buying a new vehicle, you can trust that you won't have to deal with any severe problems for several years (unless you bought a lemon, in which case there are laws to protect you). Buying used cars, however, comes with a whole set of challenges. You can never be certain exactly what you're buying, even with a car history report and the dealer's word. But you can make things a lot easier on yourself by choosing a dealer with an excellent reputation and performing a complete inspection before making your purchase. If you're not sure how to do such an inspection, here are some things you should know.
The Exterior
This is the one area of inspection most buyers of used cars know how to perform. Take a full look around and be thorough in your investigation. Ask the dealer (or private seller, if you're going that route) if it has been painted recently. If so, ask them who performed the paint job. This can give you a lot of information itself, as there are certain shops that basically specialize in cheap, turnaround paint jobs. Look carefully at the bumpers and inside the wheel wells for any signs of rust or repair. While there's nothing inherently wrong with a vehicle that has undergone body work, this should be known before you lay out your money.
The Interior
Inspecting the interior is going to come down to personal preference to some degree. Most buyers won't mind some imperfections and damage here and there if it means saving a bundle as compared to buying new. Still, even a cigarette burn in the upholstery or a missing radio button could provide an opportunity for you to negotiate the price down a bit. And there could be deal breakers. Not everyone interested in used cars wants something that looks worn for a bargain basement price. If you just want to avoid the sharp depreciation that comes with buying something brand new, you probably want everything to look as new as possible. In that case, spend some time looking around for any issues.
Mechanics
Unless you have several hours and a mechanic at your disposal, it's going to be difficult to do a thorough investigation of the car's mechanical stability. Still, you can do some things right there on the lot. Pop the hood and evaluate the engine's cleanliness. Check for any rust. Check the oil and examine the consistency. If it is dirty, it could be a sign of further problems. Take the car for a test drive and take note of any issues you have. If you have a cooperative seller and the initiative, get it checked out by a professional.
The Exterior
This is the one area of inspection most buyers of used cars know how to perform. Take a full look around and be thorough in your investigation. Ask the dealer (or private seller, if you're going that route) if it has been painted recently. If so, ask them who performed the paint job. This can give you a lot of information itself, as there are certain shops that basically specialize in cheap, turnaround paint jobs. Look carefully at the bumpers and inside the wheel wells for any signs of rust or repair. While there's nothing inherently wrong with a vehicle that has undergone body work, this should be known before you lay out your money.
The Interior
Inspecting the interior is going to come down to personal preference to some degree. Most buyers won't mind some imperfections and damage here and there if it means saving a bundle as compared to buying new. Still, even a cigarette burn in the upholstery or a missing radio button could provide an opportunity for you to negotiate the price down a bit. And there could be deal breakers. Not everyone interested in used cars wants something that looks worn for a bargain basement price. If you just want to avoid the sharp depreciation that comes with buying something brand new, you probably want everything to look as new as possible. In that case, spend some time looking around for any issues.
Mechanics
Unless you have several hours and a mechanic at your disposal, it's going to be difficult to do a thorough investigation of the car's mechanical stability. Still, you can do some things right there on the lot. Pop the hood and evaluate the engine's cleanliness. Check for any rust. Check the oil and examine the consistency. If it is dirty, it could be a sign of further problems. Take the car for a test drive and take note of any issues you have. If you have a cooperative seller and the initiative, get it checked out by a professional.