Do You Know How to Inspect a Used Car?

By:Chuck Parrish

It seems you have looked at every used car in your area and have finally decided on that one special gem to purchase. Before you plunk down all your change, you need to make sure this little jewel is worth what you are willing to pay and the used car salesman is willing to accept.

Here are a few tips that you can use for an “on the spot” inspection of the vehicle:

1) Body damage – this is a little tricky to determine but you can do some checking. Open the hood and trunk and inspect the paint edges feeling to see if it is rough. Look for overspray on the inside of these areas and also make sure the paint inside the hood matches the outside of the vehicle. Stand in front of the car at each corner and look down the body line of the vehicle checking for waves. Open the doors and look for overspray or a paint line on the door jams.

2) Engine and transmission – pop the hood and look carefully at the engine and do not be fooled by a clean compartment. Look at the belts and hoses, the air filter; check the oil and transmission fluid by sniffing it. If you smell smoke, that could indicate problems. Start up the car and listen to the engine for knocks and metal noises; put the transmission in gear – does it clunk or go smoothly. Look under the vehicle for leaks – if you find water don’t worry that’s just the a/c.

3) Electrical – start the car and turn on all the electrical features making sure everything works properly. Windows should roll up smoothly and quick, door locks should function, the a/c should blow cold, the heat should heat and always check the windshield defroster – if it smokes or has a funny smell, the heater core could be bad. Make sure the wipers work properly as well as the horn, turn signals, hazards and headlights.

4) Test Drive – make sure to check all functions of the moving vehicle including the brakes, steering, suspension, engine response and transmission. Before you take off look at the tires and inspect the wear and tread depth. If the tires have scalloping or damage you should get the dealer to replace them prior to purchase.

5) After the Test Drive – turn off the car, pop the hood checking for temperature issues and smell. Also get back down again and look under the vehicle checking for any residue on any surfaces.

6) Before you buy – take the car to a trusted mechanic and have them go over it as well. Ask for receipts and service or repair invoices as well.

If your potential car purchase lives through all that scrutiny then buy it. If it fails a few tests, you will need to determine the potential costs you might incur and if you really want to buy a vehicle with possible problems.

The bottom line is, it is next to impossible to determine if a vehicle is good or bad, but you can decide whether or not it is worth the risk of buying.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: used cars, used car inspection

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Chuck Parrish, former used car salesman now consumer advocate, reveals
unethical salesman ploys, and how to get cheap used car finance and insurance at
his website
http://www.usedcarangels.com.

Top RVs Articles
1). Diesel Motor Home vs Gasoline Motor Home By : J Bond When considering the purchase of a motor home, one needs to decide whether to buy gasoline (petrol) or diesel. Essentially, there will be very little difference between the two in terms of the interior comforts and road performance, however, there are differences that one needs to consider before making a purchase. To begin with, price is going to be a consideration since diesel motor homes will cost more than motor homes run on gasoline.
2). Vehicle Transport By : Peter Lenkefi A guide to vehicle transport.
3). Is Your RV's Fresh Water Really Fresh? By : Nicky Pilkington Caring for your Camper or Recreational Vehicles fresh water system is simple and easy when you know how.
4). Buying a Motohome – How to Avoid the Pitfalls to Optimise Your Value for Money By : Peter Lenkefi Tips on buying a motohome – how to avoid the pitfalls to optimise your value for moneyand how to avoid the pitfalls to optimise your value for money.
5). RV Loan Mistakes That You Must Avoid By : Jim Johnson Deciding which motorhome or RV to buy often is only part of the buying process at hand. Actually, more money can be lost on making the financing arrangements than almost anywhere else in the deal.
6). What You Should Know Before You Get An RV Extended Warranty By : Jim Johnson The cost of repairs for a motorhome or RV can be very significant at times, and so some people opt to buy an extended RV warranty or service contract to help insure themselves against major repair bills in advance.
7). Different Types Of Motor Homes By : J Bond If you are interested in purchasing one of the many different types of motorhomes, there are several things that you should know about. People with different needs will require different types of motorhomes. First of all you should select among motorhomes that satisfy the size and inside amenities requirements. For example, there are motorhomes that are designed specifically for 2 to 4 people.
8). Using the Sun to Power Your RV By : Rick Solare Jumping in your RV and leaving the rat race for the weekend is an American tradition. Did you know you can provide power to your RV with the sun while getting away from it all? The Sun is Everywhere! One of the biggest misconceptions regarding solar power is that it is limited to large panel systems on roofs. Au contraire! With new nanotechnology, solar power systems will soon be applied with the paint you use to improve your home.
9). RV Awnings – Options To Add Comfort To Your Vacation By : Peter Crump RV awnings add something extra to the experience of travelling and spending time in different areas of the country. You might think that putting up an awning each time you stop takes away time from your vacation, but once you see the awnings suitable for RVs, you will want to buy one. You can find these awnings for sale at retailers that specialize in the sale of awnings and at retailers that deal in RV sales.
10). Lemon Laws May Not Cover Recreational Vehicles By : essmeier Although the price of gasoline continues to climb upwards, Americans still love driving recreational vehicles. They are big and bulky, and get poor gas mileage, but the convenience of driving a vehicle that also contains some of the comforts of home is appealing, particularly since an RV will allow you to stay in national parks and other campgrounds.

New RVs Articles
1). Finding The Best Motor Homes For Sale By : Jo Williams There are some things you need to know before buying motor homes. Motor homes or motorized recreational vehicles (RVs) come in different classes. Two of those classes are usually confused with each other, those being class A and class C motor homes. It’s essential to look at the physical appearance of the motor home in order to determine whether it is class A or class C.
2). Lemon Laws May Not Cover Recreational Vehicles By : essmeier Although the price of gasoline continues to climb upwards, Americans still love driving recreational vehicles. They are big and bulky, and get poor gas mileage, but the convenience of driving a vehicle that also contains some of the comforts of home is appealing, particularly since an RV will allow you to stay in national parks and other campgrounds.
3). Boat Trailer Parts: Finding What You Need For Your Trailer By : Brent Martorella If you are looking for boat trailer parts, you might be wondering where you will find them at. These parts can be found for sale in so many places, that they are not hard to find. However, you will need to know the make and model of your boat trailer you are buying parts for, as well as the part that you need for the trailer. Knowing this before you go looking for the parts will save you time in the long run.
4). Do You Know How to Inspect a Used Car? By : Chuck Parrish Learn the six most important things to look for when inspecting a used car prior to purchase.
5). How To Increase Gas Mileage On Every Visit To The Gas Station By : Glenn Freiboth Is there a cost effective solution to help industry meet environmental regulations and relieve skyrocketing gas prices?
6). Regular Travellers Prefer an RV By : James Hunt Purchasing an RV is perfect for those that like to travel often and for long periods of time. Not only is it fun, but it also saves a lot of money on hotel bills...
7). RV Towing Tips That You Need To Know By : Jim Johnson It probably wasn't long after the first RV was made that someone was trying to figure out a way to attach another vehicle and tow it along too. It sounds simple enough, but there are several important considerations that come into play.
8). RV Equipment And Accessories That Make The Trip More Fun By : Jim Johnson There is an awful lot of rv equipment and accessories to choose from, ranging from the ridiculously simple and cheap to the very expensive. Since the rv lifestyle is so unique and the tasks are so specialized, there are many products that have been produced and sold specifically for rv owners and users.
9). RV Equipment And Accessories That You Can Really Use By : Jim Johnson A modern RV or motorhome is a fairly complicated conglomeration of several systems designed to meet the specific needs of on the road travelers, and there are lots of rv accesories that help support those systems and make you more safe on the trip while protecting your motorhome at the same time.
10). RVing Tips For Staying Safe On The Open Road By : Jim Johnson Driving an RV on the open road can be a challenge even to the best drivers, as the sheer size and bulk of your rolling home will present difficulties that would not be encountered in most cars or trucks.