checklist for buying a used car from a dealer?

Question

Can someone please give me a decent checklist of the most important things I should look at when buying a car?

Answer 1

Check for service records, and the way it feels when you sit in it.
Check to see want warranty is on the car and what it covers.
Check the body for holes or rust. and for collision damage.
Check to see how the car starts
Check all lights and electrical functions.
Check under the hood for belts and hoses being worn and cracked and loose.
Check all fluids and levels. if the engine is too clean wonder why?
Check the under carriage for holes and the exhaust for leaks and noise. What colour is the exhaust?
Check the transmission see how it shifts.
Check the handling nd the ride.
Check tires and brakes for wear.

Answer 2

Hi Chick,

Not sure how much this info will apply to Australia, I'm sure some will, so hope this helps.

Education and knowledge is the key, knowing as much as you can before buying a car will help you reduce the risk of buying something that is a "lemon".

Mechanically speaking, you can't foresee into the future on what if anything will break down. This of course is true with even new cars, if they didn't, they wouldn't offer a warranty.

With a used car, the best you can do is to make sure the mechanical condition basics are up to par, this really isn't so difficult if you know what to look for.

Research the history if possible, determine if the oil has been changed on a regular basis, look inside the oil cap if you can and see if you see any oil sludge or caked up oil.

Check the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s web site at www.nicb.org, they have compiled a list of vehicles that have that have been affected by hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. While this list may not include every single vehicle, it’s a good place to start with.

You should also run an online history report, but once again, this database may not be all-inclusive, it’s simply another step in the process of elimination. (See the link below concerning online history reports)

Look at the cooling system as well, remove the radiator cap (COLD ENGINE ONLY) and look to see if the water is rusted or brownish looking which would indicate possible serious issues.

Know how to peform a "proper" test drive and what to look for during, this doesn't include a spin around the block either. A proper road test should include 25 miles of driving, cold and hot, along with different road surfaces as well.

A list of other articles and information is listed below.

Jerry
http://www.usedcarwise.com

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

They now have something called Car-fax where the car is listed on a network and you can find out what work it had done and when.
The things you want to look for initially is
1. symmetry. Making sure the vehicle wasn't in a wreck, look at the car from the front, then the back and see if it all looks even.
2. Check inside the trunk and under the hood for discoloration like it has been repainted covering up a wreck.
3. Oil leaking underneath the car. See if the oil is clean.
4. Starts up right away, no smoke from the exhaust
5. doesn't shake when it drives at all speeds.
6. Best thing to do is bring it to your mechanic and have him look at it and get his opinion.

Answer 5

To each person- Not all purchasers are unhealthy. Private occasion earnings will also be even a better gamble whilst shopping a vehicle. Dealers have many laws and laws to comply with to preserve a vehicle deal official. Private occasion dealers can say and do anything they wish. With no authorized recourse. Most if now not all purchasers will will let you take the vehicle on your mechanic if now not- RED FLAG- pass someplace else. Also, whilst you purchase a brand new vehicle you lose three-five THOUSAND bucks the moment it leaves the lot. A well nice licensed warrantied used vehicle is the exceptional option

Answer 6

hey there the most important things to look for buying a used car is low milelage good body on it check under the hood for any leaks that you can see by eye make sure it looks clean clean interior good tires look for wear on the outer edges if you can ask to see it up on a car hoist to look for any bad holes or anything but if its mechanicly sound and motor looks clean and the body looks good no holes and no rust and runs good with no engine noise this is what i do looking for a new car take it for a test drive get the car all warmed up and go sit and have a coffee and when your done having a coffee look under for any fluid leaks if theres no leaks you know the seals are all good make sure the exhaust is good and not rusted out..LOL here i am writing a book any ways i hope all these points and facts help you out a little have a good one and good luck car hunting

Answer 7

Number one on my check list is to take a used car I like to my friendly mechanic, pay a fee and have the vehicle checked out.

I have learned not to trust used car and new car dealers. If I was standing on a lot, looking at a Dodge Neon and a salesman said to me "Are you interested in that Dodge Neon?" I would get someone to verify it is a Dodge Neon....first.

Answer 8

condition of the car. it was very important since safety of you and your family will rely ont this car. most people have someone known to them who knows more about cars to accompany them while checking the car.

performance and service life.

some legal things. avoiding scams etc.


feel free to post an ad at http://www.carhotdeals.com

Answer 9

check the paint job , in case they covered it up with cheep paint!

cheek the starter if it takes long to ignite the engine or if it starts quick

and ask the dealer what he replaced! and how many miles/kilometers its driven if its done 50,000km its great if its done 100,000 its OK if its done 200,000 its pretty not so good 250,000 forget about the car!

Answer 10

do you get a warranty?
make sure you ask if the car has ever had any accidents....
do they offer insurance included in the car payments......
sales tax included in car payments........