Buying a Used Car? Watch for These Red Flags!

Buying a car is a big investment. Going through the second-hand market makes it possible to get a less expensive vehicle than a new one. While getting a good deal, it’s important to check the key points of the car before buying it. Carantee makes sure that you get a good deal and check all the key points of the car before buying it. 

If you are buying a ride, here is a list of 10 important points to check for a smooth buying process. Even if you’re thinking of selling a car, this list can help you understand how the potential buyer thinks.

• Quick Navigation

  • 1 Check the car’s maintenance
  • 2 Check the condition of consumable items
  • 3 Exclude damaged cars
  • 4 Confirm the serial numbers of the car
  • 5 Judge the condition of the body
  • 6 Know the causes of certain anomalies
  • 7 Hunt for changes
  • 8 Check the interior condition
  • 9 Take a test drive 
  • 10 Don’t worry, open the hood!
  • 11 To Sum up
  • 12 Share this:
  • 13 Related

  Check the car’s maintenance

The first thing to note is the history of the car. That is, the follow-up that the owner has done on the car and the overhauls that he has carried out. 

To do this, you can rely on the invoices and the maintenance book. If the owner doesn’t have either, that’s not a good sign.

You can also perform intermediate maintenance (like checking engine oil, oil filter, an inspection of all fluid levels) to check that everything is up to date and that there are no parts to change. 

• Check the condition of consumable items

If there are any changed parts, always ask for the invoices. This will allow you to have an idea of what to expect (change of the timing kit, brake pads, and discs, tires, etc.) and so estimate the extra costs the following years of purchase.

There are some parts, such as the timing belt, that you should change after a certain number of years or kilometers (variable according to the models and manufacturers). Besides, the costs of such operations are high. 

Use these observations about the condition of the auto you want to buy to negotiate the price with the buyer.

• Exclude damaged cars

Make sure the car you want to buy hasn’t been in an accident. When the seller shows you the invoices, search for changes to the headlights, windshields, or body parts, this should make you cautious.

Of course, the owner could have changed these elements for other reasons, but they are the most affected in an accident. 

Parts changes can be due to a minor accident, such as a slight collision, but it can also be due to a more serious accident that affected certain mechanical parts of the car or the chassis.

You should know that damaged car ages less well than an average car and will be much more difficult to sell due to issues related to car value.

• Confirm the serial numbers of the car

A very important thing to check is the serial number of the car. It is written on the registration card, on the label located on one of the front doors of the car, as well as stamped on the chassis. Apart from this, one must also check that the vehicle is registered and if not, then one must get it registered online with vehiclerenew.com where you can Quickly and Easily get your vehicle registration online without waiting in line or leaving your home.

These 3 numbers must be the same. Otherwise, it indicates a stolen car – and you probably don’t want to buy a stolen car!

• Judge the condition of the body

You should look at the bodywork carefully. If the exterior has slight scratches or dents, that doesn’t affect the mechanical condition of the car. The aesthetic aspect of the car is not essential but allows to know if the owner takes care of his car.

• Know the causes of certain anomalies

The best example of this is checking that the front tires and the rear tires are worn evenly. Uneven wear at the front or rear can have several causes, for example, a defect in parallelism.

Also, a bouncy suspension can point to the need for near replacement, just like a snappy gearbox or a slipping clutch; all are signs of tired parts.

• Hunt for changes

Check that the car is original. If you don’t like modified cars, check if the engine has been tuned.

Having an original car is essential to avoid insurance problems, warranty denials, and latent defects.

Also, if you noticed modified rims ask for the reason or for other work that has been done on the car. 

• Check the interior condition

The presence of stains or signs of wear on the seats gives information about the car. This can be useful to know if the car has been well maintained or if it has received unfavorable treatment.

If you see a car with low mileage, but the interior appears worn ( seats, steering wheel, gear lever), be careful; the mileage displayed may not match the mileage of the car.

• Take a test drive 

Taking a test drive (at least 15 minutes) is the best way to verify that there are no strange noises and that the handling is good. 

The gears should shift smoothly, the clutch should have normal drag, and you shouldn’t feel any suspicious vibrations.

If during your test, light comes on, take the analysis further. Sometimes this can hide a small flaw, but it puts you in a good position to negotiate. 

Make sure everything is in order, the turn signal and headlights are working properly, and the windshield wipers, power windows, air conditioner, GPS, and car audio are also working. 

• Don’t worry, open the hood!

Checking certain mechanical points is essential. After the test drive, check under the hood for odors (oil, coolant, etc.). 

Remember to check whether there are oil stains on the engine. Otherwise, the surface will be covered with dust and grease.

You can also check that there are no oil leaks by looking for oil stains under the car.

To Sum up

Don’t worry; we know the list is endless, but buying a car is one of the most important decisions you make in your life, and you need to think about it carefully before doing so. We hope your efforts are fruitful and you find the perfect ride.