What to Look for When Buying a Used Car

If you’re in the market for a used car and are looking through Craigslist, OfferUp, or the Facebook Marketplace, there are some things you should look for when inspecting a car you’re interested in. Some of these you probably already know of but all in all I want this to serve as a reminder and guide for everyone.

First, check the fluids. Have some napkins or used cloths on hand and check the oil fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid (if applicable), and coolant. Used cars won’t have the cleanest fluids but I think what you really want to stay away from is very dark, almost black, transmission fluid, and dirty coolant. Check to be sure that none of these fluids are leaking as well. It could be costly trying to find and repair a leak.

Next, check the tires, needing to buy new tires can run you upwards of $300, so check the tread on every tire. What you want to see is that all the tires are the same make and model, and that they are wearing evening. Turn the steering wheel all the way to one side to get a better look at the front wheels. If you run your finger across the tire and it’s flush all the way, the tires are gonna have to be replaced asap, so consider that when making the purchase.

Also, check for any quick fixes in the engine and under the dash. If you see something that looks a little iffy, just ask yourself, “Was it manufactured like this?”. If the answer is no, I’d recommend staying away from it. It could be costly down the road. Also, make sure all the accessories work. Power windows, crusie control, locks, and other things. And take it for a test drive. Drive both through the city and on the freeway. Make sure to listen for any noises and pay attention to how it brakes.

Now, if you don’t have a jack, I highly suggest going with a friend who has one. It may be uncomfortable asking to jack up the car, but you can get a lot of information on the suspension and other components just by jacking up the car. With the car lifted, give the wheels a shake with your hands at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, then again with your hands at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock. You don’t wanna feel any play. If you do, you could be looking at costly diagnosis and repair. I highly recommend taking the time to do this because it could be dangerous driving the vehicle if there is something wrong with a bearing or axle.

Also, check the date on the battery. An old battery might need replacing soon. Check that all the exterior lights work. Headlights, turn signals, high-beams, brake lights. Also, check that the VIN on the door panel matches the VIN on the dash near the engine. If these don’t match, you know the door has been replaced and that could indicate it was in some sort of accident.

Lastly, get your hands on a decent scan tool and scan the engine for codes and check to see that all the monitors that are available are in a ‘ready’ state or are in ‘ok’ conditions. Now, I uderstand that some of these things won’t be as important for you, and that’s okay. If the car seems like a good deal to you and you’ve done your research on it, then more power to you. Just take what you find helpful and feel confident in your next used car purchase.