What to Look for in a Used Car

Buying a used car can be a fantastic way to get your hands on a great car without paying those new car costs. However, it does come with a few risks. Knowing what to look for ahead of time can save you a significant amount of frustration down the line. Here are 11 things to look for when buying a used car.

Dealership or Private Sale

If you’re in the market for a used car, you can buy one from a dealership or a private seller. With a private seller, you’re restricted in terms of the background research you can conduct on the seller, so it can be hard to know whether they’re legitimate. Buying through a reputable dealership might lower this risk substantially, as you can do some digging before leaving your home to view the car. For example, you can check the following things:

• Online reviews on sites such as Google and  Yelp .
• The full description of the car online.
• Whether the dealership offers extended warranties.

Vehicle History

The vehicle history tells you whether the car’s been in any serious accidents or if it’s stolen. It also lists the details of the previous owners, which comes in handy when buying from a private seller. You can use services such as CARFAX or AutoCheck to find this information.

Title Check

The title check allows you to see who the owner is and whether there are any liens on the car, such as whether it’s still under finance or used as collateral for a loan or property lease. The simplest way to do this is through one of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System title providers. All you need to request the information is a vehicle identification number.

Mileage

The mileage on a car can be a good indicator of its usage. For instance, if the usage is too low, you might have to contend with brittle parts. A high mileage can indicate a car that’s been used to capacity and probably has worn parts. Regular servicing and maintenance are key in both instances, and you can check this in the car’s service history book. Mileage in the range of 9,000 to 12,500 miles per year is considered fair use.

Mechanical Condition

Having a mechanic check the car before making an offer is always a good idea. A mechanic will look under the hood and at other parts of the car to ensure that it’s in good condition and not at risk of a major issue, such as engine or gearbox failure. The mechanic can check whether immediate servicing is required and whether any servicing has been done recently.

The Body

While it may seem like checking out the paint and bodywork of the car is only a superficial concern, it can indicate some issues. For instance, mismatched paint, dents, and panels that don’t quite align can indicate that the car has been in an accident, and if so, it should correspond with the vehicle’s history. When checking the doors, trunk, and hood, it’s important that they open and close easily. You can also check for overspray to ensure that the car hasn’t had any major bodywork. Check for rust and corrosion, too, as these things tend to worsen over time.

The Interior

The state of the interior is a personal choice, but when you’re in the market for a well-kept car, be sure to confirm the following:

• All the seats have headrests that can be adjusted.
• All the latches and seatbelt components work.
• The air-conditioner and electric windows work.
• All electronic and mechanical components are in working condition.
• The seats are in good shape and don’t have holes or tears.
• The hood lining is in good condition.
• All the mats are there, and the floorboards under the mats are in good condition.

A Test Drive

Once you’re happy with the car’s physical appearance, it’s time to take it for a test drive. Make sure that everything is to your liking and that the seat adjusts to the right position, the mirrors can move into place, and you can comfortably reach the pedals.

When you start the car, be aware of any misfires or stuttering. When you’re out on the road, you want to drive for at least 15 minutes to determine whether any heating issues or major faults pop up when the engine’s hot. Things to look out for include knocking sounds from the engine or an excessive increase in the temperature on the thermostat.  It’s also handy to have your mechanic around during the test drive.

The Tires

While the thread might simply just indicate that you need to change the tires, the shape of the wear can indicate possible issues.

• Inner or outer shoulder wear: This usually indicates that the tires need alignment. A simple alignment should fix the issue.
• Central wear: When your tires wear out in the center, it usually means that they’re over-inflated. Be sure to check the car’s owners manual for the ideal tire inflation pressure.
• Edge-shoulder wear: When both sides of the tire get worn down at the edges first, it could indicate that they’re underinflated.
• Diagonal patches: This usually indicates that the tires need to be rotated, as they’re not wearing down evenly.
• Spotty patches: This might indicate that there’s something wrong with the suspension. Before making an offer on the car, have a mechanic check the extent of the suspension damage.

Cost

An important thing to check is whether the car is priced correctly. Refer to the Kelley Blue Book to get the market rate for the vehicle. Other costs to consider are financing, insurance, and ongoing maintenance costs.

Finance Options

If you can’t pay cash for the purchase, check to see whether your lender will finance the car. Some lenders have restrictions regarding the mileage and age of the car.

If you happen to have your eye on one of our used vehicles in Delray Beach, Florida, simply give us a call to discuss possible finance options or follow our online finance application for a speedy response.

Image by Antoni Shkraba is licensed with Pexels License