What Should You Inspect When Buying a Used Car?

Shopping for a used car is one of the best ways to save on your next automotive purchase. However, if it’s your first time shopping used, you might feel overwhelmed about the process. It can be confusing to know what to look for, what questions to ask, and whether you are purchasing a vehicle you can count on.

Today, we’ll delve into key components to investigate when shopping for used cars. These rules apply whether you shop with a dealer or a private seller. Finally, wherever you decide to shop, bringing along a mechanic you can trust is one of the best ways to have peace of mind during the car buying process.

Go Over the Window Sticker on the Used Car

If you’re shopping at a used car dealer, you’ll want to start by inspecting the buyer’s sticker. This buyer’s guide is required to be attached to every used vehicle for sale on a dealer’s lot. You’ll typically find it on the car window, and it will outline important details about the sale of the vehicle.

The sticker will give you important information, including whether the purchase will be “as-is,” if there is an available warranty, and what costs you can expect the dealer to pay.

Whatever is on the buyer’s guide will cover you despite any provisions in the sales contract. If you do negotiate things like warranty coverage down or adjust additional dealer payments, they must be changed on the buyer’s guide to reflect that as well. As a general rule of thumb, be wary if a vehicle is being sold “as-is.” While it will be priced lower, it means you’ll be on the hook for any issues that arise with the vehicle, even if they happen a day after your vehicle purchase.

Go Over the Body Condition

When looking at a used car, you can learn a lot from the body condition. Look for any dents, scratches, or awkward panels and gaps that seem out of place or misaligned. This could be an indication that the vehicle was involved in the car accident. If you have concerns about previous accidents, your dealer should be able to provide you with a report of the vehicle’s history upon
request.

Rust is another major concern to look for. Inspect for rust by looking under the body and under door panels. Sometimes rust gets painted over, and you can tell if this has occurred by looking for paint that is bubbling and almost chips or flakes off when you scratch at it.

Test the Suspension and Inspect the Tires

You can inspect the suspension system by walking around the vehicle and making sure that the body sits level with the ground and tires. Walking to every corner of the vehicle and pushing down on it will give you a sense of the suspension system as well. A vehicle that bounces back just once means the shock absorbers are in good condition. Bouncing up and down more than once means the suspension system may not be up to par. Keep your ears open for any clunking sounds as you push down because this will clue you in on worn suspension joints or wheel bearings.

Use All Your Senses to Examine the Interior

When you step into the cabin, you’ll want to use your eyes, ears, and nose to narrow down any issues. The car should have a relatively neutral smell. If you smell a musty, mildewy, or moldy scent, this could indicate water damage or a water leak. If you suspect water damage, you can look for wet spots by removing floor mats on the carpet.

A musky or acrid smell can clue you in on whether the vehicle was previously owned by a smoker. You can also look at the vehicle’s plastic surfaces for yellow spots or turn to the ashtray and lighter for more evidence if you believe the vehicle was smoked in. While not always the case, be wary of strong-smelling vehicle air fresheners. Sometimes, dealers or private sellers will use a strong fragrance to mask alarming odors in a vehicle.

Finally, test out the vehicle’s lighting, instrument controls, and power seat system (if it’s equipped with one) and ensure everything is in good working order. Be sure to turn over the engine and look for any illuminated engine warnings, and be sure to test out the air conditioning, heater, and overall sound system.

Get Under the Hood of any Used Car

Checking under the hood is one of the most intimidating aspects for many drivers shopping for used cars, especially those who don’t have much experience with vehicles. Not knowing what to look for or how to inspect the engine could cause you to purchase a vehicle that has mechanical issues. This is where the help of a trusted mechanic can be invaluable.

When looking under the hood of a used car, start by inspecting hoses and belts. Make sure everything is firm but not rock-hard. Keep an eye out for mushy, cracked, or frayed hoses and belts.

Next, you’ll want to inspect fluid compartments. The vehicle’s manuals should let you know where all fluid compartments are and how to check them. Ensure fluid compartments can be properly secured and don’t have any obvious leaks.

Check the oil quality by using the dipstick and make sure the oil comes out dark brown or black with no gritty debris. When checking transmission fluid, the color should be more pinkish and not brown. It should also smell like oil with no tinge of a burnt odor.

Determine the Battery Health

Inspect the battery and make sure it is in physically good condition. If you have a maintenance-free battery, ensure the built-in charge indicator lights are green. A yellow or black indicator might not provide an accurate reading of the entire battery, but it indicates that at least one cell is failing.

If the battery has filler caps, remove the caps and inspect the liquid level. Too low a liquid level means the battery has been overworked and might need to be replaced soon.

Check the Underbody of the Vehicle

Checking underneath the vehicle gives you insight into whether there are any leaks or body and frame issues. When checking under the body, make sure the vehicle is on a flat surface and use a flashlight to inspect the undercarriage. Look for oily leaks, green or red fluid on the engine, drips, dents, welding on the frame, or other imperfections. This is when bringing your mechanic along can prove especially valuable. An experienced mechanic will be able to see issues that you might not pick up on.

The Bottom Line When Buying a Used Car

Although browsing used cars can be scary, it shouldn’t keep you from making what is ultimately a great financial decision. Using these tips and bringing along a mechanic you trust can help you find the confidence you need as you shop for a used vehicle.