By learning how to spot mechanical problems with a prospective used car you can greatly increase your chances of finding a really good deal. Most used cars are overpriced and in poor condition as sellers tend to attach emotional and sentimental value to cars. Additionally people tend to sell cars after they have become problematic. Most people do not think to sell a car when it is in perfect reliable running condition.
The first step in used car shopping is to weed out the bad cars and try to find one or a few cars that are in good condition. The best way to do this is to learn what to look for and then go inspect as many cars as you can. The more cars that you inspect the more relative bearing that you will have when inspecting the next one.
There are enough potential problem areas with used cars to fill a huge ebook on the subject. This article serves to provide the most common and most major problems that you should avoid when shopping.
1) The oil of the car should be filled to the full marker on the dipstick and should be golden brown or lighter in color. If the oil is dark or black this is a sign of a dirty engine. This alone is not enough to discount the car altogether but finding a used car with a clean engine would definitely be preferable. It is worth noting that when a car has the oil changed it will appear to be light brown again even if the engine is very dirty. The difference is that a dirty engine will change the oil color to dark brown or black very quickly even after an oil and filter change.
2) Look for signs of overheating in the engine. You can ask directly if the car has ever overheated or if there is a pattern of overheating but not all sellers are truthful. The best way to inspect the cooling system of the car is to open the radiator cap. This can only be done when the car engine is stone cold unless you are specifically qualified to open a hot radiator. The coolant should be full and free of grease, oil, debris or other irregularities. When radiator coolant escapes the closed system that it operates in it will generally become a drip or potentially burn up on the hot engine. When coolant leaks it is usually green and when it burns is smells like burning maple syrup and will cause white staining where it burns. Check specifically the location where the large tube (about 1.5 in diameter) comes off the radiator and meets up with the engine block. This is usually where the temperature thermostat is located and is a common location for leaking and cooling system problems.
3) Check for rust and rot on the frame of the car. Body rust and surface rust can be dealt with however extensive rust or rot on the frame will make the car unsafe to drive. You can also check the floor pan on the drivers side front seat as this thin area of steel is exposed to a great deal of salt and water from the drivers shoes and will tend to deteriorate faster than many other areas of the car.
4) Look for damage from accidents or major repairs by checking the insides of the door frames, trunk lid, and hood and engine compartment for wrinkles in the steel, paint that indicates a new paint job or any signs of damage. A vehicle history report may be able to help you determine if the car has experienced any major accidents or damage.
5) Check all the lights, horn, door locks, windshield wipers and glass in the car. Most areas will require that these items specific to the safety of the vehicle be in working condition prior to you being able to legally begin driving the car.
6) Check the underside of the car for signs of leaks from the engine, transmission, gas tank, brakes and fuel lines. Any leaks will likely need to be repaired or are an indication of a future problem that is still developing.
7) The tires and brakes should be in good working condition and should have even wear on all tires. The brakes should not squeak or squeal and should be capable of stopping the car with ease. Take note during the test drive of if the car tracks straight if you let go of the wheel or does it pull to one side or the other. You can also feather the brakes while driving and determine if the brakes are smooth or if they are warped and wobble and pull the car to the side when in use. The sound of grinding metal when you step on the brakes is a sign that the car has been driven past the point of the brakes being worn and will likely require extensive brake repairs to be driven safely.
There are of course many additional items that must be inspected to buy a used car with confidence. This information will help you to get started understanding what to look for to find a used car that will last and run trouble free with little or no work.
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