if you were going to buy a second hand car from, say, an auction?

Question

and you knew nothing about cars what would be handy advice to have, I am a woman who knows nothing about cars and I have only just passed my test.

Answer 1

Above are good answers.
Also, look it over well and get one of those books that give Bad, Good, Excellent condition prices of each car (May want to bid the lowest price, may next higher if it look good and you want) I just bid the lowest or betewwen lowest the next higher. Look for "Dangely Things" wires hanging down or not have a place to go, you not want to buy a car with Dangely Things. Look at the Tires for how bad they worn, helps know how well it taken care of. Look at the Oil pull the dip stick, is it Black and Thick? Then it was not serviced well. Start it and see if it run smooth. Look at the Body and Interior, are they examples of normal wear or abuse? My knock around on the body, it looks like you do something, but, you may hear a different sound to show it may have had Home Body work, back off from the area and look for a slight difference in paint. Look in the Wheel Wells for Cracked Bondo, it a body filler when they repaired at home. Most Body Shops will replace the fender. A home fix may use Bondo for it cheap. Open and close the doors and look at the little post that hold them closed. Do they close easy, need slammed, is the post worn very bad? Is the door Aligned well? If, you start the car, hold the brake and put the Transmission in Reverve, does it feel to pull strong? Shift to Neutral, then Drive, 2, 1. Each time wait to see how it pull. If, possiable, as it idle in gear (Be sure you not run over anyone/thing). Just let off the brake and as it move push the brake and listen for a grinding noise, it show it been needing brakes and now it may need rotors. Hope this all help.

Many auto parts stores sell them. The Books are; NADA Guides or Kelly Blue Book. Ask about both. I know the NADA is about $10-15. I not sure what Kelly sell for. It is an important guide when buying like this, so, get one or borrow one that up to date.

Answer 2

Good advice to take someone knowledgeable with you. Beware that the car could have unforeseen problems, or be a real bargain. The first and only car I bought at an auction, my son helped me pick it out. I paid $425 for it, and have been driving it for 7 years now, with less than $1000 in repairs and maintenance during that time. When people go out to buy a car, they often forget to factor in maintenance costs, and get in over their heads. Good luck!

Answer 3

don't do it unless u bring a mechanic some auctions u cant drive it and some u cant even hear it run..its easy to get riped off

Answer 4

Bring someone with you who knows about cars before you get yourself into something that might not work well!