Although it's a good idea to have a qualified mechanic examine a used car that you're thinking of buying, there are a number of checks that you can do yourself before you get to that point. These simple checks can alert you to the more obvious problems with a used car. You can then get a professional assessment from a mechanic before making your final decision.
Tire Tread
Use a tire tread gauge to check the tires of the car you are thinking of buying. If the tread is low, you will have to add the cost of replacement tires to your budget. You can buy a gauge at an auto parts store.
Uneven Tire Wear
Closely inspect the tires for uneven wear. If one of the front tires is bald on its outside edge and the tire on the opposite side is not bald on its inside edge, then the two wheels are not aligned properly. This is not a serious problem but make a note of it, as wheel alignment will cost upward of $50 at a tire shop.
Puddles
Ask the owner of the used car to move it to a clean location on the driveway. After you've finished looking it over, ask for it to be returned to its original location. If there are puddles on the ground where the car was parked, take a closer look, as something may be leaking from the vehicle. If the puddle is black and shiny, oil is leaking. Anti-freeze will leave green fluid on the ground. If the puddle is pink, it's transmission fluid. Any of these may indicate a serious problem with the car's engine components.
Scratches
Scratches are common on used vehicles and some can be treated easily. If a scratch reveals white material at its lowest point, this means that the scratch has not penetrated the metal bodywork but only the surface paint. A scratch repair kit can fill and repair these blemishes. If you can see a glint of silver at the deepest point of the scratch, the scratch has penetrated the metalwork and could rust later. If you can see a brown color inside the scratch, rusting has already started. Repairing rust will require comprehensive repair, which can be expensive.
Ripped Seats
Check for tears in the seat upholstery. These will increase in size over time, so ask the owner to remove any seat covers so you can take a close look.
Slow Gear Change
If you're looking at an automatic, be alert as to how slowly the transmission takes to shift gears. This means taking a test drive. A slow shift indicates low levels of transmission fluid, which might be caused by a leak.
Noisy Wheels
During the test drive, listen for a deep buzzing sound from the front of the car. This could indicate that the wheel bearings have worn down. A loud grinding sound means severe wear. Wheel bearings are expensive to replace, so take this into account before you decide whether to buy the vehicle and for what price.
Soft Brakes
Feel how far down the brake pedal goes when you press it during the test drive. If the pedal goes to the floor, then the car has soft brakes, which will require attention. The brake system may need brake fluid or there may be a more severe problem. Sound brakes will respond immediately when you press the pedal.
Check Engine Light
Look for the "Check Engine" light on the instrument panel. If it's illuminated, this should indicate that you should not buy the car. Modern cars are extremely complex, often with technology that monitors the engine and other aspects of the vehicle. If the seller has ignored a "check engine" light, there is a serious problem, even if the owner tries to tell you it is a minor issue.
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