Buyer’s Guide – Ways To Perform a Pre-Purchase Inspect On A Used Car

The number of people buying used cars has grown dramatically over the past few years.  In fact, recent industry surveys have shown that the number of people who purchase used cars has almost tripled in comparison to the number of people buying new cars.

The old stigma that buying a used car was an indicator of poor social status is actually now becoming a very popular trend.

Purchasing of a used car does not necessarily mean that buyers will just take the process of selecting used cars for granted.  It is therefore of great important to understand how to best check a used car prior committing to the purchase.

Below you will find some great suggestions on how to perform a pre-purchase inspection of a car, with many of these tips being extremely simple for anyone to perform:

Take the car for a test drive

Nothing beats a good test drive of a used vehicle.  It can give you the buyer the opportunity to perform some basic on-road tests, which can in fact give you an indication of the actually condition of the car’s acceleration, brakes, smooth gear changes of the transmission, suspension, etc.  It’s worth giving full locking the steering wheel, turning in both directions while listening for any unusual sounds in the front end.

Listen out for any squeaks, clunks or rattles.  You would be surprised how easily it is to uncover any issues even on a short drive, but remember, ensure you have the radio switched off during the drive so that you can pay close attention for any unusual sounds.

Remember, try switching on the air-conditioner, as it is often overlooked during a test drive and can be costly to repair if it isn’t functioning.

Perform a visual inspection

After performing a test drive, you should also look at it closely to inspect for any sign of damage, including signs of aging, rust, poor panel repairs (slight colour changes in panels or panels not aligned correctly), tire condition, windscreen condition and any obvious signs of any oil leaks.

Also, you should check the interior of the car, making sure it is clean and well maintained.  Test the electronics such as the electric windows, interior light, radio and any other gadgets it has to make sure they are operational.

Check the Mileage

A typical drive will typically clock up an average 12,000 to 15,000 miles (20 to 25 thousand kilometres) a year.  This way, you should be able to determine the approximate age of the car by looking at its mileage.  If the mileage is too high for its age, it is worth questioning the owner and if the mileage is too low it is good to make sure the service manuals can actually validate the low kilometres, as you don’t want to purchase a car that has its odometer wound back.

Get Your Mechanic To Inspect It

If possible, see if you can get the car to your mechanic to perform a pre-purchase indpection of the vehicle.  There may be a small involved in this, but I can assure you that it is money well spent, as it can save you lots of money down the track.  A mechanic is the best person to assess the car to ensure it is in good conditions and can often see if the car has been in a major accident.

Search the Internet

This is often overlooked by many, but I tend to like searching the internet for any information I can find on the make and model of the used car I would like to buy.  You can often find great reviews on the vehicle, highlighting some strengths and weaknesses to keep an eye out, as the last thing you want is to buy a car that has a known history of a particular problem.

Get a report from Carfax or Similar Organization

Getting the full history of the car is also one of the best ways to get a true picture of the real condition of the car. A Carfax report (or a report from a government body in your country) will contain all possible information available on a car, in particular the correct owner information, whether the vehicle has a lease, etc.  By taking these basic steps you can ensure you are buying the car from the real owner and know if a bank has a loan linked to the vehicle, as you do prefer a clean title of ownership when you buy.

As you can see, by taking these simple steps and doing some research you can ensure the car you are purchasing is in great condition and can provide you with happy motoring for the years to come.  Enjoy your new “used” car!.