It's also a good idea to ask if the tires have been rotated regularly. Step 3: Lights Next up, check all the lights on the vehicle. Have the seller or a friend get into the car and turn on the headlights, running lights, high beams, fog lights if available and all the blinkers. Have them also depress the brake pedal to make sure those lights work. Physically examine all the light housings to look for damage such as cracks, foggy lenses or water.
One of the signs of a flood-damaged vehicle is water in the light housings. Step 1: Smell The first thing to notice is the odor in the car. The odor should be neutral or perhaps smell faintly of any air freshener item being used. If it smells like cigarette smoke or an animal, you may want to think twice as those smells are notoriously hard to remove.
Another red flag is a musty or moldy smell. This tends to be a sign of either a flood-damaged vehicle or one with some type of leak. If you do smell this odor, make sure to check the interior closely for signs of mold or water damage. Step 2: Seats Check the seats next. Look at the upholstery and see if it's worn, stained or torn. If you suspect mildew from the first step, examine the seats carefully for signs of water damage. A leaking roof or window seals could also cause this, not just flood damage.
Check the controls on the seats, whether manual or power, to make sure they all work properly. Specifically, check the driver's seat adjustments to ensure that you can find a comfortable position. Also make sure all of the seatbelts throughout the vehicle work — strap, buckle and retractor. Step 3: Instruments and Controls Switch the car on into accessory mode. All the warning lights should come on for a second before flashing off again.
Turn the car on and see if any of the lights stay on. Any light that stays on should be checked out. Complete your instrument check by making sure all the controls work how they should. Check the climate control and make sure the heater and AC if available work properly and switch on the audio system as well.
Step 4: Roof Investigate the roof by checking the headliner and trim. Check the seals around the windows and make sure any sun or moonroof isn't leaking.
If the vehicle has a soft top, convertible or removable hard top, make sure to check that everything fits properly and isn't leaking. Check Under the Hood The next goal is to check under the hood. Even if you aren't a mechanic, there are a few things to look for. Look at all the belts and hoses to ensure that they aren't overly worn, fraying or loose from their ends.
1. Do some general used car research
Look at the radiator and make sure it isn't stained or cracked. Check the underside of the hood for signs of fluid dripping off it; if you see this, it could be a sign of a blown gasket or hose that then leaked. Check all the fluids in the car, including the engine oil, transmission, power steering and brake. Make sure the fluid levels are good and that there's no sign of leaking underneath the car.
Oil color should be a warm brown. Dark brown or black suggests that the oil needs to be changed, which might say something about how the car is taken care of. Light brown means it has just been changed. Make sure there are no water droplets on the dipstick or gray, foamy fluid. These could be signs of a blown head gasket or cracked block.
But if there are fluid leaks, then repairing them could cost you more over the long run. Smoke is a bad thing. So are undue noises and knocking sounds that come from underneath the car. These could be indicators of an exhaust system issue. Different cars have different accessories.
Used car checklist: what to look for when buying a second-hand car
So be sure to test things like the air conditioning, fans, parking sensors, reverse camera, power windows, the navigation system and stereo. Safety comes first. So confirm that seat belts are in good condition; that locking mechanisms work and that the belts extend and retract smoothly. Give the steering wheel a check too.
Just to make sure it turns with ease and feels nice and sturdy. Check that all doors open and close easily. And latch firmly. This includes the bonnet and boot, or tailgate. Check the body for any loose, misaligned or mismatched panels. Make sure there is no evidence of rust, crash repairs or hail damage. Inspect the exterior for things like paint overspray, dents, ripples or creases. A faded paint job could mean that the car has spent more time exposed to the elements than it has being properly garaged.
Buying a used car | Car loans | The NRMA
And bumps and scrapes could indicate that a previous owner was overall reckless with handling the car. Use your best judgement to determine whether or not wear to the interior is consistent with the age and kilometres of the car. The car should definitely be clean and free of any odd smells. A clean interior tells you that the car has likely been well looked after. Nobody wants to buy a second hand car with a second hand smell. Again, this all depends on the make and model.
What is considered normal for a hot hatch or saloon might not be the same for an MPV: Roadster or targa. City cars will most likely have less mileage than suburban ones, and family cars can clock up more mileage than a sports car. While the car buyers checklist above is a handy guide to use. Another important consideration to take into account is the used cars mileage. To give you a rough idea of what is considered as good mileage, the following should prove to be useful.
- Checklist when buying a used car:.
- Used-Car-Buyer's Checklist;
- Inspection Checklist for Buying a Used Car;
- property tax records hancock county mississippi;
- Follow our simple steps so you don't end up with a lemon..
- Buying a Car in 21 Steps: Your Detailed Checklist & Timeline;
An average number of kms per year is approximately 9, Using this as a baseline, a car that is 6 years old with approximately 55, kilometres on the clock can be considered as average. If the car has already been warmed up, it could mask issues like poor starting or smoke. Both indicators of engine wear. Test the transmission.
- free download rental car check list;
- Buying A Used Car Checklist & Tips;
- how to find chipset of motherboard;
Try the car out on different surfaces. And try to drive it at highway speeds. Buying a used car from the dealership is a great way to get a good price on a quality vehicle. Tuggerah Sales : 02 Service : 02 North Gosford Sales : 02 Service : 02 West Gosford Sales : 02 Service : 02 Tuggerah Sales. Tuggerah Service. Nth Gosford Sales. Nth Gosford Service.