What To Look For In A Used Car

Whether you are looking for a new car or simply to upgrade your car with a used vehicle, it can be both a fun and stressful time.  In light of the current economic climate, the amount of money available to you by the banks may not be enough to even make a down payment on a new car.  Also, with the current tighter credit ratings, you may not even qualify for a car loan, meaning that a used car may be your only option.

Ok, you obviously need a car that will not only get you from point A to point B, but something that will be reliable and economical as far as fuel consumption and repairs are concerned. So the question is - what do you look for in a used car to make sure that you are getting the right car for you?

Vehicle Type: First you need to decide what type of vehicle is best for your current situation. If you've got three kids that require you to drive around them to school, karate lessons and soccer practice, then a two seat sports car may not be the best car for you. If you do intend to use your vehicle to carry heavy loads, then a VW Golf will probably be out of the question. When selecting the type of car you need will help you narrow down the field before you even begin looking for a car. If a car won't properly suit your purpose, even if it's a great deal, it's not the right car for you.

Vehicle that suits you: Once you got a better understanding on the type of vehicle that suits your needs then you can begin to look at other aspects that will have a large bearing on how well a car suits you. You probably have a good idea at this point what type of car you currently like, so it would be a good move to do some research on the makes and models that interest you the most. A quick search on the internet will give you a good idea of how long certain cars last, reviews from current owners of that car and even the most common problems associated with them to look out for. Of course these findings are based on a general overview of the individual models so this information should be used as a guide.  These facts and reviews should at least give you a good idea as to the reliability and strong points of the cars that you are considering.

Looking at the car: When you go to inspect a used a car, even if you are not a 'car person', look for obvious things when viewing the vehicle and during your test drive. The most obvious thing to look out for is the car's odometer reading (mileage). If you are planning on driving your 'new' used car for several years you probably want to steer clear of cars that have over two hundred thousand kilometres on them. Some cars last many more kilometres than others, but few last very well past two hunded thousand kilometres without developing some form of mechanical faults. Other obvious things to look out for includes rust, dents and dings and keep all of your senses open as you drive the car - look, listen to and feel how the car drives and idles. Pay attention for any unusual sounds or rumbling as they could be signs of current or impending problems that you'll have to deal with.

Service History: One thing that is often over looked by many is the service history of the vehicle.  Make sure the car comes with up to date service manuals, as if services are missed, it can be detrimental to the engine or the transmission.  A vehicle that is well maintained as per the manufacturer’s handbook is often a well looked after car.

Get it inspected: Once you've found the car that you feel might be right for you, don't just rely on what you've seen - take the car to a reliable mechanic for a vehicle inspection. It doesn't hurt to make sure that the mechanic is either one that you have personal experience with or that is an independent to the person selling the car. You don't necessarily want to trust a mechanic that has a close relationship with the seller because you may not get the full truth about the car. A good mechanic will see things that you won't - they will be able to tell you of any problems that need to be attended to immediately as well as any problems that are looming on the horizon. Having a qualified mechanics eyes take a close inspection of the used car you are considering will be the only true way to tell if you are getting a good deal on a car that will last.

Good Luck with the purchase of your new “used” car. Remember, a good used car that has been looked after by its previous owner can be as good as a brand new car without a brand new car price tag.  Enjoy your new car!!!