How to Check the Quality of a Used Car Without Paying a Mechanic
It’s not your imagination – everything is more expensive than it used to be, but especially used cars. Once a safe haven for people without savings and/or credit for a new car, used cars are suddenly worth their weight in gold , and the internet is filled with horror stories about a 2003 Camry with 150,000 miles on it and worth over $6,000.
Buying a used car can be a big gamble even when prices are falling because they are, you know, second hand . Every used car is a mystery box. Unless you’re buying from a dealer that offers a used certification and a limited warranty, you can’t know for sure if the previous owner did regular maintenance, spent weekends riding in local parking lots, or was owned by an amateur mechanic. who firmly believe in the healing power of duct tape. The best way to deal with this anxiety is to hire a mechanic to do a pre-sale inspection of the car. But if you’re already at the limit to afford a car, can you get by without one?
The answer is a qualified yes. If you’re pretty good with cars and are comfortable doing some simple mechanical stuff (and you’re willing to get your hands dirty), you can do a reasonable job of checking a used car without paying a mechanic. After all, a standard pre-delivery inspection by a mechanic is not quite a forensic examination of a car down to the molecules – most of what a mechanic can do is quite within the power of the average person. Yes, a mechanic will always be your best bet before spending a few thousand dollars on a car. But if you absolutely need to save on that fee, here’s what to look out for when checking out a used car.
Do your research first
Before you even touch the vehicle, do your due diligence; you don’t need a mechanic to type something into your computer. First, collect all the basic information about the car: make, model, year, and vehicle identification number (VIN). Use this to check a few basic things:
- Internet reviews. See if there are any common car model issues that you should be aware of – common issues that many people face.
- Reminds. See if there have been any vehicle recall notices on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. Make sure all necessary repairs have been made – ask to see receipts.
- Check VIN. Go to a website like Kelley Blue Book or Carfax and enter the vehicle’s VIN. This will tell you if the car has been in an accident or has ever been “counted” and marked as an emergency vehicle, or if the odometer has ever been shown.
Check out the look
One of the easiest ways to get a general idea of a car’s condition is through its appearance. Obvious damage and rust are, of course, a red flag, but there are also more subtle signs that may indicate that the car has been in an accident or was in poor condition:
- Check the gaps between the panels – if they are uneven, this may indicate poor bodywork. If there is no accident in the VIN report, then something is suspicious.
- Check the glass for cracks or chips. This may not violate the terms of the deal, but it should be factored into the price.
- Is the paintwork uniform? Differences in color and finish (such as roughness) may also indicate that the seller is hiding damage from you. Bubbling paint indicates fast rusting.
- Are the doors, hood and trunk easy to open? Do they fit properly? Are all headlights working properly?
- Check the tire tread with a depth gauge . If the tread is 2/32″ deep or less, they are worn out and replacement should be included in the price. Also check the tire pressure.
- Make sure the tires have even wear (same tread depth). Uneven wear can indicate suspension problems.
- Speaking of suspension: go around and hit the car on every corner. It should smoothly return to its original height. If it’s inconsistent, the suspension can be shot.
- Look under the car with a flashlight – is there a lot of rust or signs of damage? Again, if there are no accidents on the report, that’s a bad sign, and a ton of rust doesn’t bode well for the car’s longevity.
Inspect the engine
If the appearance looks normal, open the hood and check a few basic parameters:
- Liquid levels. Look under the car to see if there are any obvious leaks and make sure all levels (oil, transmission, coolant, brakes) are in order. Make sure fluids are clean and free of sediment or debris.
- Check the battery connections – are they rusted or oxidized? It can be as simple as cleaning and a new battery, but it’s worth paying attention to.
- Make sure all hoses are in good condition – look for taped repairs or hoses that are brittle and stiff. Make sure the clamps are tight and in good condition.
Take it for a test drive
Finally, get in the car and drive. You’ll want to take it for a short drive down the highway to get a feel for how it performs at high speeds, but check the interior first. Are the seat belts worn out? This may indicate that the airbags have deployed at some point, and in any case, this is a safety issue. Make sure all functions work, unless something is revealed, including air conditioning, power, turn signals, apps screen, gas tank and hood, etc. Basically, press every button and turn every switch to make sure everything working. and no electrical problems.
Then take it on your back. You will obviously be on the lookout for any hesitation, wobble, misfires, backfiring, or other signs of engine trouble. If it’s a manual transmission, you want the clutch to be springy and responsive. Make sure the power steering works smoothly and check the brakes. It is equally important to listen and smell the car. Many problems manifest themselves with noise and the smell of burning.
Even such a thorough check will not be as good as an inspection, for the simple reason that a qualified technician knows more about cars than you do and works with them every day. But it should be enough to avoid a total used car buying disaster and save you a few hundred dollars.