Are you currently thinking of buying a used car? If so, then you need to know what to look for and what to look out for. Many times a person has no choice but to buy a used car. After all, new cars are so expensive, and they depreciate in value very quickly. It is much more economical to buy a car that is a few years old, rather than one that is brand new. They may even be in similar condition. Here is the problem though, accessing the working order of a used car can be very difficult.
Inspecting the engine is of utmost importance, as this is the most expensive part to replace. Instead of replacing an engine, most people will find that junking it is a better option, or selling it off to somebody that does not know cars. Start the engine up. Does it start easily? Listen to the engine to make sure that it runs smoothly and does not stall out. Pay close attention to how the engine idles as well. If it idles too fast or slow, that could be a sign of a problem. Also, look to see if any of the system warning lights appear.
The next subject of importance is the transmission. Once again, this is a very expensive part to replace. First of all, determine whether it is a manual or an automatic transmission. If you can not drive stick, then this already makes the vehicle a bad choice for you. Automatic transmission vehicles are a little more expensive, but this is something truly depends on the preference of the buyer. If it is an automatic, when you test drive it, make sure that it changes gears smoothly. If it is a manual transmission, make sure you test drive the vehicle on hills to see how well it changes gears.
Brakes are not as expensive to replace, but very important to have in working order. When you test drive the car, make sure that you apply the brakes many times, each time paying close attention to how well the vehicle stops. Try to make a sudden stop as well; does the car pull to one side? Be sure to test the parking brake as well.
Steering is an important thing to check on a used vehicle. While you are test driving it, make sure that it does not pull to one side. Pay attention to how easy or difficult it is to steer the car at different speeds. Test drive the vehicle with no radio and with windows open if weather warrants. This way you can listen for any clunking noises. Make sure that the steering wheel is centered when the car is driving straight.
There are many different things to take into consideration before buying any used car, so this is by no means a complete list. Instead, these are some of the most important things to look for due to price of repairs and safety of operation. Other things to look at include accessories, suspension, tires and body.
By: Everette Jamison
