used cars how to buy a used car and what to look for and what is ok

So, your car is dead and you NEED another one.  Have you thought about buying a used car?  It’s not a bad idea.  You could probably pay cash for one, right?—and that sure would be better than making payments on a new one.

Buying a used car can be a great idea and a lot easier on your budget than paying the price for a new vehicle.  But before you run out and buy one, you need to be in the right frame of mind.

Don’t fall in love with a car.  You need transportation, not a love affair.  In other words, check the car you are looking at thoroughly.  Base your decision to purchase on performance, not style or looks.

Before committing to purchase a particular car make sure you know how much it will cost to insure it.  If you don’t have to make payments, you may only be required by law to carry liability. That could be a real budget saver.  (Do remember the type of car you buy will influence the price of insurance.)

If you can, get a mechanic to take a look at and give you an opinion about the car you’re interested in.  If you find the cost to get this done is exorbitant, here are some things you can look at to assess its condition:

Inspect the car exterior first

 

Check the body for obvious signs of repair.  If a car has been wrecked, it’s possible you will encounter body trouble as repairs age.  I had a friend who bought a used car that looked good and it drove nice, but when it rain it leaked around the windshield.  Be careful.

Check tires for cracks and sidewall deterioration.

Check back of wheels for moisture around the brake drum cylinders and calipers for break fluid leakage.

Make sure all the locks work.

Check for rust in trunk and engine compartment.

Check under the hood

Look for signs of leaks on the motor.

Check motor oil for color and smell.  It should not smell burnt.

Check transmission fluid for color.  (If the car has an automatic transmission the optimal time to check the transmission fluid is while you have it running.)  Regardless of whether the car has an automatic or manual transmission,  turn it on and let it run for about 10 minutes without racing the motor—it should run smooth.  And by the way, did it start right up or did you have to play with the starter.

Check the interior

Is the upholstery decent?

Are there signs of leaks around the windows or from the engine compartment?

How does it smell?  Odors originating in the engine compartment probably mean trouble.  Odors from the upholstery or carpet may be permanent.

Test all the controls and accessories.  Do they work?

Make sure all the windows open and close.

Take the car for a test drive

While you have the car on the road, pay attention to the sound and feel of the engine.  Make sure it passes from one gear to the next smoothly.

Get as much information as possible from the seller

Ask the seller why the car is for sale.  Not everyone will be honest with you, but give them a chance. What you are listening for are their complaints and stories.  Has the car been in the shop a lot?  Or, was it wrecked last year?  (That might not be so bad, but it is information you should have before you make a decision to buy or not.)  You should also ask about warranties.  Is there are any warrant left from the original purchase?  Perhaps, the owner bought an add-on warranty?  Sometimes these can be transferred and you could benefit.

Ask if maintenance records are available.  You are looking for a car that was well maintained, not one that belonged to someone who (for example) may have changed the oil once a year—if at all.  Try to find out how many and how often “routine maintenance” procedures were actually done.

Were there any repairs that had to be made frequently?  Does one headlight burn out more often then the other?   How about the fuses—do they last?  Ask as many of this type of question as you can think of.

Just one word about carfax:  If you can use this service, do.  They provide a great deal of information.

Know the value of the car you are looking at

Don’t pay too much for the car.  You can ask your bank how much they would lend you to buy the car you are looking at; usually, a bank will lend 80% of the value of car.  As a service to their customers, some banks will research the retail value of the car, but it’s not hard to do it yourself on line.  (Another good resource for finding a fair price is the NADA, National Automotive Dealers Association, Blue Book.)

Here is a closing tip:  Do not be pressured.  

Buying a used car is really no different than making any other informed purchase.  Know your needs.  Research and search for quality.  Look for a good deal.