If you want to buy a used car, then this matter must be approached with all responsibility.  It is necessary to carefully check many nuances in order not to fall for the bait of unscrupulous sellers.  Otherwise, you can choose a low-quality copy with a bunch of problems that cannot be used normally. Today, used cars can be purchased both directly from the former owner and in car dealerships.  The financial factor usually plays in favor of choosing such vehicles.  However, the lack of basic knowledge and illiterate actions when choosing a car in the secondary market can result in serious troubles and unplanned expenses.

 In order not to make a mistake, do your research and learn as much useful information as possible about the chosen car model.  Learn about the most common vehicle problems and how much a potential breakdown repair can cost.

 What to do when buying a used car:

1. Check vehicle history with free VIN decoder.

 VIN decoder is a service that will allow you to find a huge amount of useful information about a car in just a couple of minutes.  In order to use it, you need to know the VIN, go to the program’s website and enter the data into the search bar.  In this way, you will find out if the car is stolen, how many accidents it has been in, what its real mileage is, whether it has legal problems and much more.

2. Examine the exterior of the vehicle

 An external inspection is carried out only on a clean car and in good lighting.  First, make sure that the car has not been repainted to hide the traces of the accident.  Check if the paint shades are different, if there are any traces of soil in the body cavities, on the windows and rubber seals.  You can determine the re-painting with the help of a special device – a thickness gauge that determines the thickness of the paintwork and its compliance with factory specifications.

 When inspecting the body, note areas with traces of rust, especially on doors and fenders.  The centers of corrosion can also be under the rubber seals of the glass.  If the number of areas affected by rust is unacceptably large for the declared age of the car, it is better to refuse the purchase.  It is important to check the width of the door and bonnet gaps.  If the joints have a different width, then the car has probably been in an accident, and the owner decided to hide it.

 Pay attention to the condition of the tires.  When inspecting the car during the day, do not forget to check the headlights.  Check the operation of the lamps, the integrity of the glass.  Please note that if the headlights fog up, the electronics in the car may be faulty.

3. Inspect the engine

 Traces of oil and rust under the gearbox and engine are the first sign that something is not right with it.  Check hoses and belts for cracks.  Using a dipstick, we check the level and density of the oil, inspect the filler cap.  There should be no water or metal particles on the probe, but plaque on the cover.

 A serviceable engine runs without whistling, grinding and rattling sounds.  Extraneous noise is a sign of a malfunction that threatens to turn into a major overhaul.  Check if the engine runs stably at idle speed.  If it stalls, then the reason is faulty spark plugs, injector nozzles or an electronic engine control unit.  These faults are very costly to repair.

4. Inspect the salon

 Before inspecting the interior, find a plate in the engine compartment that shows the mileage at the time of the last oil change and compare it with the meter reading.  Honest sellers do not twist the mileage.  If there is no data for comparison, then judge the escape by indirect signs – the condition of the driver’s seat, pedals and belts.  On cars with low mileage, these elements will not be worn out much.

 Check the steering wheel play by turning it left and right with the engine off.  Steering wheel free play will be a problem on the road, so if the wheels do not move when turning hard enough, the play is too large, which means repairs will be required and, most likely, it will be expensive.

 Inspect the dashboard to see if any light is constantly on, warning of a malfunction.  Pay attention to whether the power windows, heated seats work.  The air conditioner must operate normally and no unpleasant odors should appear during its operation.

5. Take a test drive

 Try to test drive in conditions that are as close as possible to your daily trips.  During a test drive, hidden problems of the car may become clear.  Listen to various sounds, see if the vehicle is going straight, if it is tilting to the side.  See if the steering wheel vibrates at high speed, if the car pulls to the side when braking, and how the suspension reacts to obstacles.

 Checking a car is a necessary aspect that needs to be done before buying.  This will help you identify any malfunctions that could negatively affect operation in the future.  Only with the help of high-quality and rigorous testing will you be able to find a quality copy without serious problems that will serve you for many more years.