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