When you're buying a used car, you need to inspect the car as much as possible so you don't end up with a clunker. Knowing what to look for before you start will help you shop and buy with confidence. Try to go during daylight, when problems will be more visible. Also, don't rush through your inspection. If you can, inspect your own car first so you're familiar with the process.
Body
The seams where all of the body panels meet should be straight. This includes the doors, fenders, hood and trunk. All paint should be the same color. Recent painting can indicate a rust problem. Stick a magnet to each body panel, paying special attention to the areas where rusting can occur, such as the bottom edges of the doors and fenders. If the magnet doesn't stick, body filler may have been used in that area to repair accident damage or rust.
Look inside the trunk, wheel wells, and under the hood for areas that may have been crumpled in an accident and straightened. Inspect the row of holes on the underside of the car just inside the outer edge on each side. If the holes have been recently cleaned, or are scratched, this could indicate that the car's frame was straightened after an accident.
The doors, hood and trunk should all open and close easily.
Tires
The tires should all have the same amount of tread and should be the same size and brand. The spare tire should be inflated. If the vehicle has locking hubcaps, the owner should demonstrate how to remove them.
Suspension
Walk around the car to see if it sits evenly. Lean on each corner of the car to bounce it. The car should bounce only once or twice, with no creaking sound, and then stop. All four corners should react the same way.
Gas Cap
Check that the gas cap is present. If it's a locking gas cap, the owner should provide the key. Open the gas cap and verify that there is a fuel-nozzle restrictor. Most states require this to prevent adding leaded fuel.
Interior
Inspect the upholstery for tears and stains. The dashboard should appear in good condition. Adjust both front seats to make sure they move smoothly. Activate the parking brake to ensure that it engages and releases completely. Make sure that all the window cranks or controls, door locks and handles, and dashboard controls are present and work properly. Test the heater, air conditioner, audio system and alarm. The owner should provide the alarm control. Turn on the interior and dashboard lights to make sure they work. If the carpeting or upholstery smells of mildew, there may have been flood damage. Look at the top of the carpet underneath the dashboard. Stains in that area can indicate a leaking heater core or air conditioner.
Engine
Open the hood of the car and run the engine until it warms up. The car should start easily, idle smoothly and should not stall. The engine belts should not look worn. The engine warning lights on the dashboard should not light up. Unusual smells can be caused by fluids leaking onto hot engine parts. Listen to the engine. You should hear the belts whirring, with no clanking, knocking or hissing. Look for shiny or clean areas where a part may have been removed. While the engine is running, look at the exhaust pipe. White or blue smoke can indicate engine trouble. The engine itself should not smoke.
Under the Car
Examine the ground underneath the car for puddles of engine fluid. Antifreeze is green, power steering and transmission fluid are reddish, and oil and brake fluid is dark brown or black. Look at the car's undercarriage for signs of rust. No parts should be missing or loose.
Test Drive
The car shouldn't hesitate when you accelerate. Test the cruise control, if available, to make sure it works properly. The car shouldn't pull to one side while you are driving. The steering wheel should turn easily and the car shouldn't resist or make noise when turning. The car should not shake or rattle at highway speeds. Drive next to a solid center median or a solid side wall, and open the window halfway to listen to the car. You should hear the tires on the road and no rattling from the engine. The transmission should shift smoothly, whether automatic or manual. If the car has a manual transmission, accelerate hard while in third or fourth gear. If the car doesn't speed up, the clutch could be slipping. Step on the brakes to see if they stop the car without pulling to the side. If the car has ABS brakes, stop suddenly to make sure that the ABS activates. If the vehicle has four-wheel drive, engage the four-wheel drive on an appropriate road surface and drive in forward and reverse to make sure the vehicle performs smoothly with no unexpected noises.
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