When purchasing a used car, you should check several things, including how the vehicle runs. If you do not know enough about engines, you can ask to test drive the vehicle to your mechanic or bring a knowledgeable person with you.
Locate a vehicle and call or email the seller. Ask basic questions such as the condition of the vehicle, about service records and if it has certain options you are interested in. If you are still interested in purchasing the vehicle, make arrangements to test drive the vehicle. If you are purchasing from an individual, you will have to find out when that person is available, but if you are purchasing from a dealership, you can show up any time during the used car dealership's business hours.
Check the outside of the vehicle. Look for dents and other damage that might be expensive to repair. Open the doors and look at the door jambs - if there is a different color paint, that indicates that the car was previously painted. Another place to look for different color paint is inside the trunk.
Check the mileage on the vehicle. If the vehicle shows low mileage, especially for its age, look at the wear on the brake pedals and under the floor mats. A vehicle with 60,000 miles on it most likely won't have a severely worn brake pedal. If you see a severely worn brake pedal on a car with purported low mileage, be very suspicious. Likewise with worn carpet under the floor mats. The seller or another person could have tampered with the odometer.
Start the vehicle and listen to the engine. Listen for knocking and squeaking noises. If you do not hear anything out of the ordinary, test drive the vehicle. Make sure the seller has enough gas in the vehicle to drive it for at least a mile, preferably two. Some noises and problems do not appear until the vehicle warms up.
If you are still happy with the condition of the vehicle, take a closer look at the engine. Look at the belts to ensure there isn't excessive wear. Check the oil. The oil should be clean - medium brown to dark brown. If it is black, even if the seller insists he just changed it, it shows that oil changes have not been done regularly. If the oil has a milky look to it, run and run fast, unless you know how to fix a head gasket.
Check the transmission fluid. The fluid should be bright pink. Smell it - if it is not bright pink and smells burned, the vehicle will either run hard or has transmission problems. You could be facing a transmission job in the near future.
Check the interior of the vehicle. If the interior is in good condition and everything else meets with your expectations, ask to see the CARFAX or ask to have your mechanic check it out, if you did not bring a mechanic with you. If you are satisfied that the vehicle is everything the seller said it would be, strike a deal to purchase the vehicle.
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