By Ann Smith
Some motorists are dreaming of a particular car, but cannot afford it. The purchase of a used car is the right solution, which implies an obligatory inspection of the vehicle. If, due to some reasons, you cannot hire the professionals to make it for you, here is a step-by-step guide you need to follow to make a car check yourself.
How to Inspect the Car Right
Before you start the inspection of the car, it is recommended to make a complete VIN lookup and check its history using online services. For instance, the FAX-VIN report will reveal all the information hidden by the owner about a specific vehicle. For example, you will be able to check if the car was stolen, got into an accident, its real mileage, and so on. As soon as you define the legal background of the vehicle, you can proceed to practical inspection. We recommend you to focus on the following:
1) Body condition
Carefully examine the entire body of the vehicle, especially problematic parts (wheel arches, car bottom) for rust and rot. It is better to check the vehicle during the daytime, and in this case, you will see all the tints and determine whether the car was in an accident or not. If the vehicle is more than five years old and there are no chips on the body, this is a bad sign, and most likely, the body has been completely repainted to hide severe defects.
2) Car bottom
There must be no puddles of oil, antifreeze, or any other liquid under the auto. For a used vehicle, small oil stains are not something extraordinary, but leaks or drops are unacceptable.
3) Engine
If the engine is shiny, it is more likely that it was cleaned and polished for sale to hide defects. Inspect the motor for leaks, check the oil level, and antifreeze. It is crucial to start the engine cold. Pay attention to how quickly the car starts up, whether there are extra-sounds and twitching when it is working on a cold, and how the arrow on the tachometer behaves.
Test Drive
If it comes to the test drive, first of all, check the brakes, including the extreme braking. Pay attention to the gearbox, and the speeds should be switched on without extra-sounds. Check the reverse gear. Drive through small pits and bumps to check a suspension — it should cope with everything without any problems. Test the steering wheel at maximum.
Finally, if you inspected the vehicle on your own and you liked it — we still recommend hiring a specialist who will conduct expert diagnostics. Thus, 99% of potential defects will be identified, and you can bargain with the seller or refuse the purchase. This option will save you from buying trash. Good luck!
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