How To Find Flaws While Buying Used Cars

Updated: Friday, January 4, 2013, 11:56 [IST]

Buying a car is fairly easy job, as we discussed in our previous How To article - Car Buying Guide: Buy A Car In 6 Steps. However, buying a used or pre-owned car can be a tricky thing. While the carmaker will give you all sorts of guarantees and assurances about the quality of a new car, the same assurances cannot be taken while buying a used car.

Used cars will generally have some flaws that will escape our eye if we do not take a proper look. So how do you know the used car you are planning to buy does not have any major flaws and problems? Here are some tips that will help you identify the possible flaws in a used car.

Exterior Look: Have a thorough look at the car's exterior appearance. If the used car has uniform paint all the way around it and the paint's shine is good, then you can say the car has been properly maintained and taken care of.

Always check for difference in the paint colour of different body panels of the car. If you notice a slight difference in shade of the paint on any location, probably a paint job has been done to rectify a scratch or a dent.

Run your fingers between the gaps of the door seams and hood and see if there are any rough edges or gaps. If yes these are indications of an accident and a repair paint job.

Tyres: Have a look at all the tyres and see if the tyres are evenly worn. Check the outer and inner sides of the tyre for damage. To see if the tyres treading is sufficient, put a coin inside and see how deep it can go. If it does not go in too deep, it indicates the car will need a new set of tyres.

Engine: You can now have a look at the engine compartment. Open the hood and see how clean the area is. If you notice any leaked oil, it is a clear sign of under maintenance. Check if the engine belts fit well and are not worn out. Also check if the fluids are at sufficient levels.

Check the engine oil's colour. If it is black and dirty, then it is a sign of the car not being properly maintained. Dirty engine fluid is also a problem sign. Go through the previous service records thoroughly to identify any engine problems.

Test Drive: After having a close look at the car, now its your turn to test drive the car to know its running ability. You can also read our tips on test driving a car by clicking here.

To begin with, check if the car starts and stops smoothly. Listen to the engine's sound for any signs of disturbance. Drive the car and check if the brakes are working fine. If there is a vibration in the car while applying brakes, then it is a sign of the brake pads beginning to get worn out.

Also check for any squeaks and rattles. If such noise does exist, drive the car on a rough road to see the extent of cabin noise. If the noise is high, it is a sign of loosely fitting body panels and doors.

Interior: You must check all the interior fittings and switches. Ensure every feature is working fine and switches do what they are expected to do. If you are music lover, then you must have a close look at the entertainment system as well as speakers. Play different songs to see how the system works.

Following the above tests, you will be in a better position to judge if the used car you are planning to buy is fine and you will be able to bargain for a price it is worth.

Hope the above tips on how to find flaws while buying a used car will be useful to the readers of Drivespark.com.

Article Published On: Friday, January 4, 2013, 11:17 [IST]

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