Friday, October 15, 2010

What to Look for in Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car can save you a substantial amount of money compared with buying a new car. When you buy a used car, you have to be careful to make sure that you get a quality vehicle. Before buying a used car, a few factors should be evaluated.

Vehicle History Report

    Before buying a used car, you should get a copy of the vehicle history report. A vehicle history report lists all of the major events that have affected a car. For example, if the car has ever been in a wreck, you can find out by reading the report. If the car has ever had any major repairs or overhauls, you can also find out this information through the vehicle report. You can look up the report using the vehicle's VIN number.

Body Damage

    If you do not have access to the vehicle report, you may not know if the car has ever been in a wreck. When a car has been in a serious wreck, it can significantly affect the way that it drives. One way to tell if a car has been in a wreck is to look for damage on the outside of the body. In some cases, it may simply be a small dent, while in other cases, it could be hiding bigger problems. If the front of the car looks damaged in any way, it can lead to serious driving issues.

Under the Hood

    Under the hood of the car, you will find several clues that can tell you whether this would be a quality vehicle to buy. Look under the hood and inspect the engine. You need to check the oil, the transmission fluid and the general condition of the engine itself. If you do not know anything about engines or cars, do not hesitate to hire a mechanic to take a look at it for you.

Test Drive

    Before buying a used car, you need to take it for a test drive. A test drive will give you a good idea of how the car runs. If the car has any serious mechanical issues, you can sometimes find them during a test drive. If you have trouble getting the car started or it does not drive smoothly, you may want to avoid purchasing the car.

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