How To Buy A Car: 5 Things to Check For

May 12
18:44

2021

Maggie Bloom

Maggie Bloom

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Buying a car can be an intimidating process. It's a significant investment, and you want to be sure you're getting the most value for your dollar.

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It's also essential to find a reliable vehicle and will last a long time to come. Nothing's worse than ending up with a lemon. To help make the process less overwhelming,How To Buy A Car: 5 Things to Check For Articles take a look at these five tips on how to buy a car.

1. Discover the Vehicle History

Knowing the vehicle's history can help you to avoid future problems. Look at documents to discover when the car was first purchased and how many owners it's had. Running a report on the vehicle identification number or VIN can tell you whether it's been in any accidents and if there are recalls on the vehicle. Also, be sure to check out the blue book value to make sure you're paying a fair price. The seller should disclose any known problems at the time of sale; otherwise, you could obtain a New York personal injury lawyer and file a claim if something should go wrong that could have been prevented.

2. Look Under the Hood

It's okay if you're no mechanic; there are still problems even an amateur can spot by looking at the engine. Keep an eye out for things like corrosion, fluid leaks, and worn hoses. You can discover a lot by inspecting the fluids themselves. Transmission fluid should be reddish pink, and oil should be light brown. Noticeable discoloration could indicate a problem.

3. Inspect the Frame and the Body

There are a lot of do's and don'ts of car buying. One thing you should do is inspect the vehicle's frame. You're looking to make sure it is sturdy and even. Fenders and doors shouldn't stick out or be sitting at unusual angles. Make sure the doors open and close quickly, as well as the trunk. Step back and be sure that it appears to be sitting evenly on level ground. Check out the bumpers for indications of an accident, such as dents or looseness.

 

The body itself can tell you a lot about a car's condition. Chips and scratches in the paint can be an indicator of having run into objects. Extensive rust could be a real problem that may lead to a failed inspection in a year or two. Be sure to check under the car as well. Anything dangling or hanging from the frame should be addressed.

4. Kick the Tires

Needing to replace the tires on a used vehicle may not be a big deal. After all, normal wear and tear are to be expected. However, you'll want to take a closer look at the existing tires to get a good idea of how the vehicle performs on the road. There are some signs to look for that can tell you quite a bit. You want the tires to be worn relatively evenly. This is a sign of proper alignment. If there is uneven wear across the tires, the car may have a suspension, steering, or frame problem. 

 

These can be expensive repairs. If the vehicle has been driven for a long time with bad alignment, the problem could be pretty extensive.

5. Take It for a Drive

Finally, there are some issues you won't be able to detect unless you take the car for a spin. A test drive lets you know how it handles, whether it has good acceleration and if the brakes are in good working order. You can also see how the steering handles, taking note if the car pulls in either direction. 

 

How does it perform on roads with curves? Be sure to take a test run on the highway if you can to be sure it can get up to speed. Listen for knocking, pings, or loud noises. Speaking of listening, it's also a good idea to check out the radio and auxiliary system. These things can be costly to replace.

 

Now that you've read these tips, you have the information you need to approach the car buying process confidently and with know-how. Getting a good deal on a reliable vehicle isn't difficult when you know what to look for.