Buying A Used Car? 6 Important Checks to Perform Before You Commit

Most people don't know what to look for when purchasing a secondhand car. But there's really nothing to be afraid of. If you approach this car buying process with just the right level of caution, you'll soon have the car of your dreams at a price you can afford. To ensure the used car makes practical and economic sense, you'll need to carry out the following important checks.

Inspect the car's exterior

Start with the paintwork. Do you notice any fading, cracks or scratches on the car surface? If there is a lack of consistency in the body paint, it could be a sign that new paintwork was done on the car. A recent paint touch up could mean that the car was involved in an accident and this is a major red flag.

Check for signs of rust

Cars that are more than 5 years old are common culprits. When you notice signs of rust on the car's surface, the rear and front bumpers or any other location where there's metal, it could mean that there's a corrosion problem underneath. Buying a car that has advanced corrosion is certainly not a good idea. You can request your mechanic to come and assess it if you're not sure.

Check the car's mileage

The car's odometer should be able to give you an idea of how long the machine has been in use. Most used cars will have 20,000km – 30,000km a year but this will depend on several factors. Just remember that, a car with low mileage doesn't imply that it's in a better condition. You'll need to check other factors such as how well it has been maintained and whether it has been taken for regular servicing by the previous owner.

Check the used car's history

You can use several sources to check a car's history. If you are buying it directly from the previous owner, then he/she should provide you with a record of its service history. This information can help you identify how well the car has been maintained and the issues it has encountered in the past.

Check the car's engine

You can get your mechanic to help you assess the general state of the engine. A secondhand car engine that's just too dirty shows that it has been neglected. You can also check the color of the oil as well as the noise emitted by the engine whenever you turn on the ignition.     

Source : articlesbase.com