How to conduct a pre-purchase inspection of a used car?
Buying a car can be an exciting period of life but it should be inspected just before buying it. This is especially true when dealing with used cars. Buying used car inspection is so important for covering all the vital parts and will also help you to get a reasonable price. Do research about the vehicle before buying a used car. Some of the parts and systems to focus on are listed below:
- Checking of the exterior
There are great chances that there may be rust and corrosion caused by salt and water and a used car inspection is imperative in this case. Avoid a car having rust issues as they will only get worse. Check for dents and dings as this could be a clue that the vehicle has had more serious damage. The paint should also be uniform enough without any chips, scratches or unfinished body-repairs or filler which will leave a poor finish. The mirrors should not be cracked and inspect all doors by closing and opening them once so that they close without any difficulty or jamming. A problem here could mean a damaged or bent door-hinge or a significant body-repair.
Look underneath the car and check for any kind of frame damage, bends or previous repairs.
- Inspection of tires
The tires are necessary for running the vehicle so a used car pre-purchase inspection of tires is a must. The Tire ID# information below will tell you the age of the tires including the week and year it was manufactured. Tires come with wear indicators in the tread also which can show you the amount that the tires are worn, so overcome this issue with a used car mechanic inspection. If there are any significant alignment problems then the car is not suitable for purchase. Run your hand back and forth on the tires to check for uneven tire wear which will confirm this.
The Tire ID # in the example above: DOT U2LLLMLR 5107:
The 51 indicates that the tire was manufactured during the 51st week of the year
The 07 means it wasManufactured during 2007.
- Inspection of the engine
Buying used car mechanic checks is imperative even in case of the engine. Make sure the hood closes properly without difficulty. Also verify whether the hood prop has the power of holding the hood nicely without collapsing. Check the engine fuel lines and connections as there should not be any leakage there since fuel leaks are dangerous and could cause a fire. The brake fluid should also be clear-amber. Next, see the expansion tank and its cooling capacity and check for leaks and that the coolant is new.
- Checking for the power belts
Make use of a used car mechanic check whether the belt still has the brand name on it.If not and there are visible cracks also, the belt is old and worn and may fail soon. How to get a car inspected before you buy is very important. Start the vehicle and keep it running with the brakes on. If there are any abnormal “vacuum” noises when you apply the brakes, know that the brake booster is defective or worn out.
Take a test drive before buying the car and after knowing the price you can plan on buying the car. If the car was thoroughly checked out beforehand by a certified inspector, you can stay confident in your decision after buying.