12 Point Checklist When Buying a Used Car
Getting a pre-owned vehicle is never an easy task. There are a lot more considerations that come with the discount in price when compared with a new car. You can never be too careful though. Whether or not you choose to buy your next pre-owned car from us at Evans INFINITI of Dayton, we’ve compiled what we feel is a comprehensive checklist for when you are buying a used car. Feel free to take a look, and make sure to ask one of our INFINITI experts about anything on this checklist when perusing our lot.
How Much Can You Afford?
Budget is incredibly important when buying a vehicle. It’s likely one of the main reasons you went with a used car in the first place. Instead of just looking for “a car that’s cheaper than a new one” we recommend going into the shopping experience with a range that you plan to spend in mind.
Check the Car For Rust
Aside from looking ugly, rust can present a serious structural problem to different parts of the car. In addition to inspecting the outside of the vehicle for even small spots of rust (which can spread), we also recommend getting underneath the car to get an idea of how much rust there is on the underside.
Check The Exhaust System
It might be a good idea to recruit a mechanic for this task. The slight cost of having a mechanic check the exhaust system could save you potentially thousands of dollars in the long run, as exhaust systems are costly to replace. Also, make sure the catalytic converter hasn’t been stolen!
Examine The Glass
While glass repair isn’t the most expensive repair, driving with broken glass on your car can be more immediately dangerous than driving with other issues, which present more of a risk to your car than to you. We recommend giving the windshield especially, but also the windows a thorough check for cracks and dings. The last thing you want to experience on the road is broken glass!
Check Under The Hood
While there isn’t a lot that a non-mechanic will be able to discern from looking under the hood, you’re looking for anything egregious here. Is there a lot of rust? Are there any detached hoses or caps missing? Any sign that something could be wrong is cause for concern.
What’s Going On With The Engine?
Fire the vehicle up and see how the engine turns over. Does it sound robust? Next get out and check how it sounds when it’s idling. Finally, see how it sounds and feels when you give it a little gas. If any of these checks yield worrisome results, its best to take the car to a mechanic before proceeding further in your used car purchase.
How Do The Seats Look?
Seats can be incredibly expensive, and they say something about you, the driver to anyone who rides in your car. While seat covers can be bought inexpensively, they’re often tacky and reek of the car being too well loved. Check the seats for even small tears, which could grow, or stains that may be hiding if the car is in the shade.
Do A Brake Check
Brakes are an essential safety feature for your used car. It’s wise on your test drive to check how responsive the brakes are at varying speeds. Do they wobble when braking, or stop consistently smooth? Do they allow you to stop fast? How far do you have to push the pedal in to get braking? These are all things to consider that could impact whether or not you purchase a pre-owned vehicle.
Check The Tires
Tires should be first visually inspected to see whether retain full inflation. Make sure this is done on a level surface so you get an accurate view. Next, on your test drive, make sure that you don’t feel any noticeable wobbles in the tires, which could be a sign that one has a leak and is half-flat.
Listen For Odd Noises On The Test Drive
We all know how a new car should sound and feel — relatively quiet. It’s very important to pay keen attention to any out-of-place noises on the test drive of the used car you plan on buying. These can be sometimes benign, but sometimes the sign of a much larger problem.
Find A Vehicle History Report
There are a variety of different vehicle history reports available. These can tell you about different accidents or other incidents the vehicle may have been involved in, as well as different owners the vehicle has had. Make sure it matches up with the story the seller is telling you about the car — if it doesn’t, who knows what else they’re hiding.
Check The Car’s Reliability Online
Some cars have a reputation for lasting hundreds of thousands of miles, while others have a reputation for breaking down at around a certain number of miles. Check message boards and articles online while shopping to see what people think about driving the car you plan on purchasing long term.
This checklist of some of the factors to consider when buying a used car is by no means comprehensive. We’ve compiled some of the most important things to look out for though when buying a used car. There are many of us who don’t want to deal with this hassle, though. Luckily, when you’re buying a pre-owned vehicle at Evans INFINITI of Dayton, you don’t have to. Our team of experts goes through the painstaking process of inspecting your car bumper to bumper and makes sure it performs well on the road too. For luxury Dayton used cars bought with peace of mind, look no further than Evans INFINITI of Dayton. Proudly serving Dayton’s surrounding areas including: Springboro, Centerville, Miamisburg, Beavercreek, Kettering, Englewood, Monroe, Tipp City, and West Carlton.