For people who need a new vehicle but cannot afford a brand new one, purchasing a used car is a good alternative option. However, there are many pitfalls that come along with buying a used car which means that you have to be very careful to make sure you are choosing the right one.
So, the question is how do you know if it’s a car that’s not going to get you into trouble? What are the things that you should be looking for?
While you can’t really be 100% guaranteed that the car you are selecting will be flawless, there are some warning signs that you should pay attention to, so as to avoid buying a bad used car, and here are some of them.
1. Begin with the seller.
When buying a used car, it is better to purchase it from car dealers, because they usually comply with certain codes and practices. It means the risk of purchasing a bad one is reduced. If you look into buying used cars privately, you need to be aware that it usually comes with a higher risk, especially when the price is friendlier and more attractive. However, this does not also necessarily mean that you are safe when you choose to buy from a car dealer. You still need to be selective of car dealers to make sure you find a good dealer.
You can tell they are a good dealer when they give you an option to take out a mechanical warranty that’s valid for a certain period of time, they give you the maintenance and repair history of the vehicle, and the backing from the dealer in cases when something goes wrong with the vehicle.
Now if you decide to purchase from a private seller, you need to take the time to do some research to ensure that they are trustworthy. Trust your gut and walk away if you smell and feel that something’s wrong.
2. Check for fluid leaks.
It is natural for vehicles to have wear and tear but these things should be corrected before they even put the used car for sale. If there are fluid leaks, it only goes to show that the car used to have suffered from problems that were not corrected right away. This is something that you should be concerned about as it may be a cause of a problem in the future.
3. Observe strange noises.
When you do a vehicle inspection, it will be better if you take an experienced mechanic with you. He should be able to tell from the way the car sounds if it is worth your cash. He should also be able to notice other possible causes of potential problems in the future if he takes the car for a test drive. Maybe these things can still be fixed but having them detected is important so that you can negotiate better about the offer.
4. Observe driveability issues
You also need to have your expert mechanic to drive the car you consider purchasing because you need him to make sure there won’t be hassle down the road. One of the most difficult problems to diagnose and repair are the ones that only happen when you start driving the car. The drive test should give you and your mechanic the general feel of the vehicle if it is responsive and perfect to handle.
5. Check the major parts of the vehicle.
There are certain things about the vehicle which are non-negotiable and this includes the engine, exhaust, and emission system, as well as the transmission. You need to make sure that the integrity of these things is thoroughly checked by your experienced technician. You don’t want to waste your money on a car that is just going to cost you more in the future, especially when it requires major repairs on these major parts.
Purchasing a used car can be risky especially when you don’t have in-depth knowledge before buying one. It always pays to know and it always pays to check to make sure you don’t fall into the trap of buying a bad used car.
