Purchasing used cars for sale can be scary for many people and if you are reading this post then you probably are about to get a used car for sale or you have one already; it could be foreign or locally used. Getting used cars for sale requires extra caution especially if you are not an expert in the field. You want to ensure that.
Inspecting used cars for sale can reveal hidden things such as rust, burnt-out bulbs, foul smells, leaking fluids amongst others and for you to do this effectively, you need to know how to inspect used cars and be an expert at it.
Here are some things to note when inspecting any cars for sale before you get it:
Do not ever check used cars at night: Checking used cars that have been put up for sale at night will not reveal the true body colour, interior wear or a broken accessory. You might skip some important detail on the car due to lack of light. You would not want to discover later on that you missed an important detail while inspecting the car.
Check the body frame of the used cars: Ensure you look out for sloppy bodywork. You can use a rubberized magnet along the sides of the car and if it won’t stick, there may be a lot of body filler underneath the paint. If you do not have a rubberized magnet, not to worry, you just have to look carefully and knock on certain parts to see how they sound.
Verify the functioning of all equipment in the used car including the car options. Check for trouble codes that often reveal mechanical or electrical problems. With used cars that have been put up for sale, you need to take extra care and look out for improper installation of accessories or modifications.
Confirm the condition of the used car tyres. Look out for uneven tire wear because the wear across the face of the tread can mean alignment problems. The lower the mileage of the cars, the newer the tyres should look. You can compare the mileage of the cars with the tyres.
Check the car’s engine oil: The engine oil of used cars should still be light or dark brown. If black and smells greasy, the engine once had a good run but it does not have one anymore.
Check the car’s automatic transmission fluid with a dipstick: The colour should either be medium red or dark red without a burnt odour. Make sure to check for metal deposits in the fluid as any metal particle feels between your fingers could mean severe wear.
Check for the condition of the brake pads in the cars: Check for rusts and other unusual patterns on the car brake.
Know the car history: Ask if the car has been in a recent accident and know if it was properly fixed. If not, the wheel, for example, may be affected which will make it not track properly, causing the car to pull to one side and cause early wear.
Check the hoses and fan belts in the cars for any cracking: Test drive the car. Pay attention to how the steering feels and the sound as you start the car. When you accelerate or decelerate, check the rearview mirrors for signs of smoking out of the tailpipe.