You can save a great deal on your overall transportation budget if you opt to purchase a used car instead of a new one. However, if you do decide to go this route, it’s important that you shop intelligently. The term “used car” can mean any number of things, whether it’s a cheap clunker you find on Craigslist or a pre-owned vehicle that’s practically new from a certified dealer like IPAC Pre-Owned Outlet. Regardless of where you choose to purchase your vehicle, it’s important that you know how to perform a basic used car inspection in order to ensure that you don’t end up with a lemon.
What To Look for When Buying Used
Before making any decisions regarding the purchase of a vehicle, it’s a good idea to go down the following used car inspection checklist. By doing so, you’ll usually be able to catch any damage or defects the vehicle has that are not obvious at first glance.
Inspect the Outside
Your inspection should begin with a thorough examination of the exterior of the vehicle. Sometimes there are clear signs of damage, but in most cases, the seller will have attempted to make repairs and/or hide any major dents or scratches before placing the car up for sale. There are, however, usually ways that you can detect if the vehicle has been damaged, even if it’s not initially obvious.
When you examine the car’s exterior, you may be able to see signs that a filler material has been used to repair holes in the metal, likely after an accident. Dents and scratches are usually repaired with fiberglass or another type of composite material, rather than metal. One way to determine if any such materials are present is to place a magnet up against an area of suspected damage. If the magnet attaches to the area, it’s metal: nothing to worry about. However, if a filler material has been used, the magnet will not hold.
Any serious flaws in the paint job can also be a sign of an unscrupulous used car seller. If the paint doesn’t match from one area to the next or there are signs of overspray from one area of the car onto another, then it’s possible the car was put through a hasty and rushed repair job and may no longer be of good quality.
Check the Doors and Trunk
Another sure sign that a vehicle may have been in an accident that rendered it unsafe to drive is if the doors or the trunk are not aligned properly. If any of the panels on the car seem to be misaligned with one another, this could indicate that some sort of impact knocked them out of place. While it’s possible that this may only be cosmetic damage, a vehicle that has had an impact like this—especially if the used car seller isn’t disclosing it to you—may be unsafe to drive.
During your inspection, you should open and close each door a few times. Do the same with the trunk and the hood as well. Their movements should be smooth, and they should latch closed easily, with minimal force applied. If you discover any difficulty in handling the doors, trunk, or hood, this can be another clear sign that the car was damaged at some point and not repaired properly.
Look At the Windows
The windows of the car should also be in good condition and free of any signs of damage or major repairs. Sit inside the vehicle and attempt to roll each of the windows up and down. Do they move smoothly? Or do they seem to struggle? Sometimes, windows will stall and fail to open or close all the way. This is a sign of a vehicle which has faulty mechanical elements on the inside.
Each window should also have a serial number. The numbers on all the windows should match. If they do not, then you will know that one or more of the windows has been replaced. This can be a sign that the vehicle has been damaged and repaired; it may even denote a vehicle that has been stolen.
Inspect the Interior
The interior of the car should also receive a thorough inspection as part of your checklist. The upholstery in a vehicle tends to hold onto smells very easily. Used cars that have not been appropriately cleaned before going up for sale may often smell strongly of cigarette smoke or carry other unpleasant odors. While these won’t render the car unsafe to drive, they may render it unpleasant for you as the owner, especially if you are not a smoker yourself.
You should also inspect each of the seatbelts to ensure they are in good working order. Each one should easily be able to be latched and unlatched so that any passengers in the vehicle can be safely buckled in.
Look Up the VIN
Any used car inspection checklist should also include a search of the vehicle identification number, or VIN. Nowadays, you can easily do so with your phone while you are performing the rest of your inspection. The VIN is usually located on the dashboard of a car, near the driver’s side. It may also be on the driver’s side door. In either case, you will want to locate the number and enter it into the NHTSA’s VIN decoder.
Entering the VIN into this website will provide you with a great deal of information about the car you are inspecting. It will tell you exactly when and where the vehicle was manufactured. You can also track any insurance information that has been recorded on the vehicle, including any accidents it was involved in. By searching the vehicle’s record in this manner, you will be able to determine if it ever received any damage that may have rendered it unsafe to drive.
Stick With Certified Dealers
One way to make sure that the used car you’re shopping for is safe and reliable is to stick with certified dealers such as IPAC Pre-Owned Outlet. In doing so, not only will you be able to buy from a reputable seller with decades of experience in the business, you’ll also be able to take advantage of a vast selection, reliable financing options, and free delivery.
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