The engine is the most important part of any vehicle. With the car turned off, pop the hood and visually inspect the engine for: fluid leaks, corrosion and cracked hoses and belts. Check the oil and transmission dipsticks for discolouration — oil should be light brown, transmission fluid should be pink or red.
The tire tread should be worn evenly and all four should match. Uneven tread or extra wear on a few of the tires often means poor alignment, which can be a symptom of steering, suspension or frame issues. A poorly aligned car will pull to the right or left when driving. The average car will rack up about 20, km each year.
A car with high mileage with have more wear and tear on its mechanical components. Feel the drive belts to determine whether they are frayed. Engine oil should be dark brown or black but not gritty. If the oil is honey-colored, it was just changed. If the dipstick has water droplets on it or shows gray or foamy oil, it could indicate a cracked engine block or blown head gasket, two serious problems.
Check the automatic-transmission fluid with the engine warmed up and running. On some vehicles, the dipstick has two sets of marks for checking when the engine is either cold or warm.
Power-steering and brake fluids should be within the safe zone. The coolant should be greenish or orange, not a milky or rusty color. Greenish stains on the outside of the radiator are a sure sign of leaks.
These reveal the condition of just one cell and might not give an accurate reading on the health of the whole battery. If the battery has filler caps, wipe off the top with a rag, then carefully pry off or unscrew the caps to look at the liquid level. A low level may mean that the battery has been working too hard.
Any competent mechanic can check out the charging system and do a load test on the battery. Electric vehicles and hybrids: Make sure the battery is fully charged before a test drive, so you can observe its projected range. For hybrids, check the in-car display to ensure that the battery is charging and discharging while you drive. If you can find where the vehicle is usually parked, look for marks from old puddles of gasoline, oil, coolant, or transmission fluid.
Clear water that drips from under the car on a hot day is probably just water condensed from the air conditioner. Tailpipe: Feel it for residue. Tailpipe smudge should be dry and dark gray. Though some rust is normal, heavy rust could mean the vehicle needs a new exhaust system.
Underneath: If the vehicle is high enough to slide under, you may be able to do some basic checks. Spread an old blanket on the ground and look under the engine with a flashlight. Examine the constant-velocity-joint boots, which are the round, black-rubber bellows at the ends of the axle shafts.
If they are split and leaking grease, assume that the car has bad CV joints, another costly repair. Structural components with kinks and large dents in the floor pan or fuel tank all indicate a past accident.
Welding on the frame suggests that a section might have been replaced or cut out to perform repair work. Fresh undercoating may hide recent structural repairs. Before you close the deal, have the car scrutinized by a repair shop that routinely does diagnostic work.
A dealer should have no problem lending you the car to have it inspected as long as you leave identification. If a salesperson tells you that an independent inspection is not necessary because the dealership has already done it, insist on having your mechanic look at it. If a private seller is reluctant to let you drive the car to a shop, offer to follow the seller to the inspection shop. You can then use the report when you begin to negotiate with the seller.
Note that there are no performance criteria for shops listed on the site. AAA-certified garages must meet certain quality standards. It makes sense considering your budget. It makes sense considering your needs. And it makes sense to buy a second hand car from a dealer. You may find a slightly better price from a private seller. Drive away and five minutes later the wheels fall off?
And out of options. Whichever comes first. The same goes for picking up a second hand car at auction. It may or may not come with a warranty. Purchasing a used car from a dealership also makes it easier to trade-in your current car if you have one. Leveraging your current vehicle as a trade-in will not only save you cash off the price when buying a car.
But it also relieves you of the hassles of having to unload it as a private seller yourself. From vehicle history checks to finding a good deal, here is our handy car buying guide to help you along the way. You spend time looking at all the different types of cars, from full size family cars to pickup trucks and crossover SUVs. Then finally, something catches your eye. The price is right. From the car history to the cooling off period. Along with understanding the car safety ratings and its vehicle class.
To help you work out what to look for when considering buying a second hand car, we have put together this handy used car buyers checklist for you to use. While different types of cars and vehicle categories may not all be the same, these checklist items are pretty much universal.
You will be able to quickly and easily check each item off as you go and know exactly what you should be looking for. From seatbelts to wheels, we have you covered. If you're buying through a dealer, though, they may provide a history report for free. Purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned CPO car can be a wise choice because it usually offers the buyer an extra level of quality assurance. KBB states that each manufacturer has different standards for CPO vehicles, but they're typically less than five years old and have less than 75, miles on them.
Generally, the dealer has checked all major systems and reconditioned the vehicle. Many dealers also offer these vehicles with warranties. To help ensure you're buying a car you really like , Edmunds recommends that you don't rush into buying a used car. Take the time to do your research and negotiate. Following these tips may help you choose a used car that meets your needs and fits your budget. Knowing what to look for and consider can help you make an informed decision about your next vehicle.
Someone Hit My Parked Car. What Do I Do? What Is Comprehensive Coverage? Retrieve a saved quote. Skip to main content Explore Allstate. Popular Searches. Allstate We help customers realize their hopes and dreams by providing the best products and services to protect them from life's uncertainties and prepare them for the future. Skip to main content Toggle navigation Log in. Edit location. Select a product to get a quote.
Register new account Pay your bill. Get your ID cards. Video Transcript. Get a feel for how the car runs. Any weird engine noises?
0コメント