Used Car Inspection

Used Car Inspection

Did you get vehicle history report? If not, get the report now. You want to know that the car is worth your time and efforts. If the owner doesn’t want you to run the report first, he’s got something to hide. If you have the report and it is satisfactory, read what you should pay attention to during used car inspection. However, we recommend hiring a reliable independent mechanic for final inspection.

Used Car Inspection Step 1: General Inspection

Always do used car inspection prior to test-driving. First, you don’t know if driving that car is save before you inspect it. You don’t want to test-drive an obvious banger. Don’t take that risk. Second,

cool engine is easier to inspect. Also, potential problems are easier dixcovered when the engine is cool. * Make sure used car inspection is done on the right car. Make sure the VIN in the documents and on the car is the same, without chemical treatment or filing down traces. * Check the documents, the title. Make sure they don’t have a branded title. * Ask for maintenance records. * Your overall visual impression: Does it look beat up or rusty? * Has it beed repainted? If there is even a slight color mismatch on different parts, they have been repainted. Examine the edges of the body, especially the ones adjacent to windows. Sometimes you may notice the signs of overspraying on rubber moldings. This is a repainting sign as well. * Make sure all the parts are aligned properly (headlights, front-end parts, bumper, door gaps, hood edge gaps). Too gaps may imply an accident in the past. Open and close all the doors. * Make sure there are no welds on the car * Look underneath, make sure the frame and other parts are not bent and have no signs of being straightened, or even worse - welded. * Put a sheet of newpaper under the car and check leakages. Black or golden is oil, red or brown is transmission fluid, green is coolant Water drips from the AC condenser are normal. * Turn on the headlights, turn signals hazards lights. Make sure they are evenly clear. Foggy lenses on some of them could indicate moisture inside. * Check scrathces. Slight scrathes are normal, deep ones may result in rust.

Deep scratches on the undercarriage could indicate that the car was used in off-road condition, possible accident or the owner's negligence (the latter is no good either). Damage around dorlocks, especially along with repainting are a bad sign. They may indicate car theft.

Inspect the front wind shield for chips or starting cracks. Remember that small cracks will get bigger.

Make sure tires have even wear. If the wear is different, ask the owner why. Changing tires when the mileage is under 40.000 is suspicious. If front tires are worn off on the corners, that implies alignment problems with steering joints. Try to pull & push the tires on the tops, if you hear a thumping noise, be ready fo face suspension problems that may cost you additional $500. Mark down the info on the sides of the tires. You don’t want them to be swapped by the time you buy the car. Make sure the tires are properly infalted if you are going to test-drive.

Open the trunk to make sure it suits your storage needs and there are no sings of leaks. Fold the backseat to check the access to the trunk. Remove the mat in the trunk and look under it. Uneven, stained surface or signs of leak or may be an evidence of an accident or flood damage.

VIN Number Check from AutoCheck®

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AutoCheck will buy the car back from you if you discover a severe problem in a vehicle (e.g., flood or fire damage, major accident, "Lemon Law" vehicle, major odometer problems) that was reported by a DMV but not included in the Used Car History at Vehicle History Report.

Don't have a VIN? You can still get a report on a car!

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Tip of the Day

Buying a Used Car? STOP!
Did you run VIN number check?
A few dollars spent on vehicle history report from AutoCheck® prevent losing thousands!

Don't have a VIN? You can still get a report on a car!

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Never buy a used car without VIN number check!