How To Check If A Used Car Is A Lemon

 

Looking to buy a used car? This is particularly a good option for those who want to buy a quality car without splurging on a brand new car. But if you don’t know how to do a thorough check of a used car, you could find yourself stuck with a lemon. A sensible used car buying refers to when you manage to get a good quality vehicle at an attractive price.

What is a Lemon Car?

Technically, a lemon car means a vehicle whose quality is not up to the mark. Such a car would have multiple issues affecting its stability, safety, and usability.

So, if you have made up your mind to buy a used car, here are some valuable tips that can help you get the best.

What is a Lemon Law?

It is a kind of law that allows car buyers to seek a refund or complete replacement if the vehicle they purchased has a major manufacturing defect. The car buyers can seek the help of lemon law experts or lemon law lawyers to claim for damage if their car is found to be a lemon.

Check Its Interiors and Exteriors

First and foremost, do a thorough check of the exteriors and interiors of the car. Look for signs of rust, scratches, dents, and other visible damage. Though smaller dents may not be a point of concern, larger ones may not be a good sign. A lemon car check also recommends inspecting the body panels that should be lined up evenly. Uneven panels could indicate that the vehicle was involved in an accident and the repairing job was not done proficiently.

During a used car checking, open the car’s doors, hood, and trunk to check if they are moving smoothly. Check for the evenness of the paint both inside and outside the car. There should be no color mismatch on the car’s parts. If it is there, the car was most likely repainted.

Regarding upholstery, check the car interiors by getting inside the car and searching for any improper wear and tear. If you find the car has a musty smell, remove the carpet and floor mats to check for water damage or leakage.

Read The Sticker

If you are buying the car from a used car dealer, make sure you get a buyer’s guide. Car dealers must provide this guide with every vehicle they sell. This guide contains information like:

• Whether the vehicle is offered “as is” (meaning the dealer offers no warranties about the vehicle’s condition) or with a warranty
• The portion of repair costs that a dealer will cover under the warranty.
• All of the vehicle’s primary mechanical and electrical systems, as well as any potential issues with those systems

Check the CARFAX

According to a lemon car inspection expert, it is recommended not to buy a car until you have its complete history sourced from a reliable source. You can check for these reports from CARFAX that would reveal details like previous fire, flood, and accidental damage, along with the vehicle’s odometer readings plus any reported service and maintenance records of the vehicle.

Also Read: How to File a Lemon Law Claim in California

Consult Your Car Mechanic

No matter how detailed a lemon car inspection you do, several things are hard to be found by a normal person. Due to this, it is recommended to get the car checked by a reliable mechanic. It is better if you choose a certified third-party mechanic that is involved in vehicle diagnostics. These services are pretty reasonable and prove to be quite worthy in the case of used car checking. If they sense something wrong with the car you intend to buy, look for another vehicle or dealer.

The Conclusion

One of the proven ways to get a good quality used car is to buy it from a trustworthy car dealership. A reputed used car dealer would never want to hamper its reputation in today’s competitive market, and will usually ensure that all its vehicles are of superior quality. However, make sure you carry out a thorough check of the vehicle’s overall condition and test drive it before the final purchase.

If you are looking to buy a used car, but are not sure about it’s condition, consult the experts at Car Inspectors for used car inspection services. For better information about our services, consult visiting our website today.