There’s a right way to buy a used car, according to ChrisFix. That means doing your research and having the vehicle checked by a professional before you buy it. You can look at a vehicle yourself, but with all the computers, it’s better to let the dealer check it out.
How do I find the perfect car?
Use the Vehicle History search function to search for millions of used and new vehicles available near you. Enter the year, make, and model of the vehicle; then click through some of the listings to read reviews and comments about that model.
Not every car is the perfect car, even if it’s the make and model you are looking for. If the car has too much wrong with it, you could end up putting more money in it than it’s worth. To learn more about buying a used car the right way, keep reading.
Starting the Process of Finding a Used Vehicle
Before you even start looking, you need to determine which make and model you want. Whether you need a new truck or you want a daily driver that’s good on gas, doing research saves you from buyer’s remorse after you buy something that ends up being a vehicle you don’t like.
Once you determine which make and model you want, then you need to learn about the model in general. Each make and model has its own issues. You can find common problems by looking at recalls. Part of buying a vehicle is ensuring that any recall has been taken care of.
The next part of the process is learning what people say about the make and model. Reviews by professionals, car magazines, and even current owners are an important part of making a good decision.
Finally, when you want to get right down to the nitty-gritty, read customer comments and reviews about the make and model of your choice.
Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to go car hunting. Whether you do it online or in person, you’ll be armed with the knowledge to choose a model that meets or exceeds your expectations. It’ll be harder for someone to talk you into another model that might have more issues.
Inspecting the Vehicle
When you buy a used vehicle, you can expect to have to put a little money into it, even if it’s for something as simple as an oil change. However, you don’t want to put thousands into it – you could have bought a new vehicle for that.
Before you even start the vehicle, lift the hood. Look for:
- Oil leaks.
- Signs of other fluids leaking, including antifreeze, power steering fluid, and brake fluid.
- Worn belts and hoses.
- Dirty oil and transmission fluid. In many cases, if the transmission fluid smells burnt, there’s a problem with the transmission. Dirty oil – it’s black instead of light brown or brown-tinted – means the previous owner might not have changed the oil often enough.
- Insulation is missing on wires and other signs of rodent infestation. Mice often chew on wires, which could lead to problems.
Once you make a visual inspection of the engine bay, look at the outside of the vehicle.
Look for:
- Broken lights
- Bald tires or tires with uneven wear
- Weak suspension
- Brake dust or brake fluid on the wheels
- Peeling clearcoat and scratches in the paint
Test Driving the Vehicle
Once you inspect the vehicle, you’ll have a good idea of some of the maintenance you’ll have to do. The next step is to test drive the vehicle. When you test drive a vehicle, drive it more than a mile or two. Drive it long enough that it gets to operating temperature.
While test driving the vehicle, listen for noises, including:
- Squeaking brakes and clunky suspension
- Squealing belts
- Air leaks
- Grinding brakes and wheel bearings
- Squeaks and banging in the interior of the vehicle
If you hear anything that you’re not supposed to hear, you’ll probably have to fix it. If you don’t know how to check a vehicle’s noises, you’ll want to test drive the vehicle to your dealership and let them check it.
Additionally, while driving, check:
- That the heat works
- That the air conditioning works
- That all of the gauges work
- That the brake pedal and clutch pedals feel good
- That all the windows, power mirrors, and other accessories work
Test drive the vehicle at all speeds – but don’t break the speed limit and get a ticket. You want to drive slowly and take it out on the highway. Some problems only show at low speeds, while others might show at higher speeds.
Visiting the Dealership
Even if you find only minor things wrong, unless you are an experienced technician, you should take the vehicle to the dealership to have it checked out. The dealership can put the vehicle on the computer to check all of its systems.
While you can visually check many things on a used car, you can’t check the electronics. No matter how long you stare at electronic components, they’re not going to look broken. The main purpose of this is in the event someone pulled the bulb out of the check engine light.
Some dealerships, such as the Maserati dealership in the ChrisFix video, also have a pre-purchase check to make sure the seller isn’t trying to pull a fast one.
Visit Vehicle History
Learning general information about a vehicle goes a long way in helping you choose the perfect vehicle for your needs. If you need a vehicle with a ton of legroom in the rear, you want to know if that Honda has it before you waste time looking at it.
You want to know if a truck gets good fuel economy before you waste time test driving it. You can find vehicle reviews, customer reviews and comments, and more at Vehicle History. Visit us to research your next vehicle purchase.
