What is the best way to check the status of a used vehicle without solely depending on pulling carfax results?

Answer 1

I'm not sure what you mean by status unless you are speaking of the condition the car/truck is in.

If you know what to look for and how to look for those items that may hinder your search, then you can at least feel comfortable about shopping for a used car, rather it be a dealer or private seller.

For financing you may consider a local credit union or bank rather than a dealership, they typically have lower interest rates.

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 fore see 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.

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.

Visit the web site below, you'll find some helpful articles, tips etc

Jerry
http://www.usedcarwise.com

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Carfax is the best source for data. But every Carfax report also says - get an inspection by a qualified mechanic and do a test drive. The computer data (Carfax) and the hands on data from an inspection combine to be your best approach!

Answer 4

As an automechanic, what we recommend is a new purchase check. We test drive the car, then set it up on a lift and check everything humanly possible, to eliminate the chance that the car is a piece of junk. We charge one hour labor, ($74.50), and give a printed report to the customer. They can then decide if they want to buy the car, and if it needs work, they'll be able to negotiate a fairer price with the seller.
Any good garage should offer this service.

Answer 5

Take it to an ASE Cerified Mechanic or ASE Certified Body shop you trust and have them inspect it and pay them for it...

it is really pretty easy to check a vehicle for prior body damage, repair or concealment of flood damage etc.


I live in Idaho... after the major floods back east in 2001 a local car dealer was looking into buying flood damaged cars by the semi load from back east very Cheap....

having the carpets & uphostery swapped from local wrecking yard.. totaled cars etc

He was asking me if I knew how to refurbish the engines/trans and electrics so he could put them on the lot for resale...

I told him yes I knew how but wouldn't because I feared he wouldn't disclose that these were flood damaged cars he'd reconditioned for resale...

and I wanted no connection to fraudulent acts period...

I refused to do these for him because of ethics and morals

Walt

Answer 6

Best thing is bring a mechanic, let them look at it. Some dealerships will even refund the fee of the mechanic if you buy the car.

Answer 7

THE BEST WAY TO SEE IF THE CAR HAS BEEN IN A CRASH TO MAKE SHURE THAT ALL THE CRACKS ON BOTH SIDE'S ARE THE SAME. AND YOU SHOULD OBSERVE HOW MUCH WAER ON THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL THIS SHOULD REFLECT THE MILEAGE IF MILEAGE TO HIGH AND THE CAR DO'S N OT REFLECT THAT THAT'S NOT GOOD SMALL THING CAN MEAN BIG PROBLEMS SO DOWNT BE FOOLED AND IF IT IS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT IS !