How to Inspect a Used Car Before Buying

Some used-car buyers answer classified ads and approach these vehicles with great trepidation. Such anxiety is rarely justified, but careful inspection is wholly warranted.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Kelley Blue Book
• Consumer Reports
• Used-car Quote Requests

1. Look at the car's exterior. If the paint is new, ask when the car was painted. Beware of cheap new details like $100 paint jobs. They often distract from larger problems such as underlying rust.
2. Check bumpers and wheel wells for signs of rust, dents or body filler. Then search the rest of the vehicle for rust, remembering to scan the underside. Exterior rust may indicate more in unseen areas.
3. Inspect both sides of the car 'as well as the front, rear and beneath' for any signs of more major body repair. Look for inconsistencies: Do the edges of the hood and door panels line up with the fenders and other side panels? Does the frame look aligned correctly? Such inconsistencies may be clues to previous wrecks.
4. Open the door. Check the interior for tears in upholstery, sun damage and general appearance.
5. Lift the hood. Look at the engine's overall cleanliness. Look for rust on the exhaust manifold and oil leaks around the valve cover and head gasket.
6. Check the oil on the dipstick by rubbing it against your thumb (make sure the engine is cool). If you feel small particles in the oil, the engine may be worn or have other problems.
7. Start up the engine. It should start immediately.
8. Take the car for a test drive. Check the brakes. They shouldn't squeal and should bring the car to a stop in a sufficiently short distance.
9. Test the transmission for slippage. Set the emergency brake, depress the clutch pedal and shift through the gears (if the car has a manual transmission). There shouldn't be any grinding sounds.
10. Check to make sure all of the lights (front and back) work, as well as the windshield wipers, turn signals and radio.
11. Ask to see a current smog certificate, if it's necessary in your state.
12. Ask to see a record of the car's maintenance. Look to see that the car had regular oil changes and checkups (maintenance schedules will vary by model). Also, inquire about additional work that has been done on the car and ask to see receipts.

Tips & Warnings

• As a final precaution, take the car to a mechanic, who should charge a reasonable fee to check over a used car. The seller should agree to this, but may require that you leave a deposit. If the seller won't let you take the car, offer to meet him or her at a mutually convenient garage.
• If you give the seller a deposit in order to take the car to have it checked, make sure to write out an agreement stating that the deposit will be returned immediately if you decide not to buy the car.
• If the vehicle's mileage appears unusually low, have a mechanic determine whether someone has tampered with the odometer. If so, the seller must refund any money you have paid and may be liable for punitive damages under federal and state odometer laws.