How to Inspect a Used Car

Shopping for a used car can be a nerve-wracking experience. Once you've found a vehicle you're interested in buying, you can save yourself both money and headaches down the road if you know How to Inspect a Used Car.
Car Inspection Tips
1. Ask to see the car's title and maintenance records.
2. Check to see if the tires are evenly worn.
3. Be sure the VIN number on the engine and dash matches.
4. Check under the car for leaks.
5. Look for signs of smoke or leaks while the car is running.
6. Bring a tape or CD to be sure the stereo works.
7. Be sure the seat belts function properly.
8. Take a test drive.
9. Get a car history report from a service like Carfax.

Introduction
- So you're thinking of buying a used car? No matter where you may be shopping, on a used car lot, via the classifieds or online, it's helpful to know what you're looking for when inspecting a used vehicle.
- A little bit of investigating before your purchase can help make sure you're paying a fair price, plus help you avoid any unpleasant surprises after you've purchased the vehicle. Allow plenty of time for the inspection, since it's likely to take over an hour to complete if done thoroughly.
What You'll Need
- Notebook and Pen
- Paper Towels
- Heavy, Thick Cloth
- Small Mirror
- Flashlight
- Bendable Refrigerator Magnet
- CD or Tape (to test the stereo)
Step 1: Ask Questions
- Many people make the mistake of being overly polite when shopping for a used car. People are sometimes afraid to thoroughly inspect the car in front of the seller or even ask questions. A car is a big purchase, and you, as the buyer, have a right to know everything there is to know about the car before you decide whether or not to buy it. If the seller acts offended by your interest in the details, it may be a sign that they're hiding negative information about the vehicle.
- Here's a list of questions you should ask the seller:
1. Does the vehicle's title have any liens against it?
  - Ask to see the title and check if the vehicle is listed as "salvage" or "buy-back."
2. How often was the oil changed?
3. How many owners has this vehicle had?
4. Has the vehicle been involved in any wrecks?
5. Does the vehicle have any flood damage?
6. If required by your state, does the vehicle have a current smog certificate?
7. Are maintenance records available?
8. Why is the vehicle for sale?
9. Was the car kept in a garage or outdoors?
Step 2: Check the Vehicle Exterior
- It's not just about appearances—you can learn a lot about a vehicle from the exterior alone. Also, the exterior of the car can give you a good idea of how well the car was cared for in general.
1. Examine the windshield for cracks or chips.
2. Check the paint job. Is it brand new? Check to be sure the seller hasn't added a fresh cheap coat of paint to cover areas of rust. Remember to check the underside of the car for rust, too.
3. Touch your magnet to the vehicle in common rust-prone areas of the vehicle like the bottom of the door panels, around the gas cap and the wheel arches. If the car has areas of body filler covered with paint, the magnet will not stick to them.
  - An exception, of course, is if the entire body of the car is made of fiberglass.
4. Check to see if the tires are in good condition and evenly worn. If they are unevenly worn, it could be a sign of a problem with the vehicle's suspension or alignment.
  - The tires need replacing if a penny inserted into the tread doesn't fit in past the top of President Lincoln's head.
5. Jot down the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the engine, dash and other body parts it's listed on. They should all match. If they don't match, this car was most likely involved in a major collision.
6. Push down on each corner of the vehicle several times, then let go. If the car bounces more than once, it most likely needs its shocks replaced.
7. Look down both sides of the vehicle and check to see if the doors and frame line up. Also look at it from directly in front and behind. If the panels don't line up evenly with the frame and bumpers, the vehicle may have been involved in a wreck.
Step 3:Check the Engine
- The engine, obviously, is one of the most important parts of your car. If it breaks, you're not going anywhere, no matter how great the car's exterior looks. Making sure that the engine is completely cool before beginning, here are some ways you can look for signs of trouble when examining a used car's engine:
1. Check under the car for spots where the car has been leaking fluid.
  - A coolant leak will be yellow-green.
  - A black or brown spot means an oil leak.
  - A transmission fluid leak will usually be red or reddish brown.
  - The only leak not to worry about is water dripping from the air conditioner. This would be coming from the front passenger side.
2. Locate the oil dipstick and pull it out. Wipe the dipstick clean with your paper towel, then reinsert and remove it. The oil should be at an appropriate level, and honey-brown colored, not black and not milky brown.
  - Touch the oil on the dipstick and rub it between your fingers. It shouldn't feel gritty.
3. If the car has an automatic transmission, locate the transmission fluid dipstick. The fluid should be sweet-smelling and pale red or pink, not brownish.
4. Remove the radiator cap (it's extremely important that the engine is completely cool before you do this) and look at the radiator fluid. This fluid can be either red, green, yellow, or orange, but a rusty color is a bad sign.
5. Check the brake fluid levels. Low brake fluid could mean a leak, or be a sign of poor overall vehicle maintenance.
Step 4: Start the Vehicle
- Before taking the vehicle on a test drive, start it and let it run for a few minutes with the hood open and parking brake on. If at all possible, have the seller of the vehicle or a friend start the vehicle while you stand behind it to observe.
1. When the car starts, a few drips of water coming from the exhaust pipe are nothing to worry about, but no smoke should be coming from the exhaust pipe.
  - Bluish smoke indicates burning oil while whitish smoke could be the sign of a coolant leak. Black smoke may mean too much fuel is being supplied to the engine.
2. Hold the piece of heavy cloth you brought with you over the exhaust pipe to block its flow. When you do, it should make the car's engine sound like its struggling and going to stall. If it has no effect, that means the vehicle probably has a leak in its exhaust system.
3. Walk around to the front of the car and look at the engine while its running. Check for any signs or smoke or leaks.
  - Be careful not to get too close to the engine, and remember that any loose fitting clothing could easily get caught in the engine.
Step 5: Check the Vehicle Interior
- Shut off the engine and close the hood. Start the vehicle again yourself, and leave the vehicle running while you examine the interior.
1. Make sure no "Check Engine" or other warning lights are illuminated.
  - If a warning light is illuminated, have your mechanic run a diagnostic test to determine the cause.
2. Check to see if the stereo works by playing a CD or tape you brought with you.
3. Test the windshield wipers, heat and air conditioning, mirrors, and any power seats or windows.
4. Test the brake lights, turn signals, and headlights. Be sure they're working on the outside of the vehicle as well.
5. Make sure all of the doors and windows open and close properly.
6. Open the trunk, and check if the vehicle includes a spare tire and jack.
  - A musty smell in the trunk could mean the vehicle was flooded or had water damage at some point.
7. Check for tears or holes in the upholstery.
8. Look at the car's floor mats or carpeting, and the wear on the brake pedal. Does the amount of wear seem consistent with the mileage on the odometer?
9. Push the brake pedal to see how it feels. If the brakes feel spongy or mushy, the car needs brake work and is extremely dangerous to drive until that problem is fixed.
10. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, check out the transmission by setting the emergency brake, depressing the clutch, and then shifting to each gear one by one. If you have difficulty or hear grinding noises as you do this, there may be problems with the transmission.
11. Check to be sure all of the vehicle's seat belts function properly.
12. If you're overpowered by the scent of car air freshener, the seller may be trying to hide some persistent, nasty odor.
Step 6: Test Drive
- Try to arrange to take as long of a test drive as possible and to drive the vehicle in as many conditions (city traffic, highway, hills, etc.) as possible. Before you begin, turn off any fans, radios, or other sources of noise.
1. Listen for any noises that signal engine problems, like knocking, sputtering, or misfiring.
2. The brakes shouldn't feel spongy or squeak when you use them.
3. If you're test driving a vehicle with power steering, there should be no whining noise when you turn the steering wheel.
4. Notice how the transmission shifts. It should be smooth and quiet.
5. Check if the cruise control operates properly.
6. When you accelerate, check in the rear-view mirror for smoke.
7. The car shouldn't pull to either side at any time.
8. Look for an opportunity to drive the vehicle about 25 mph next to a solid wall or solid center median. Open the window. The only noises you hear should be the wind and the tires.
Step 7: Post-Test-Drive Check
- When you're finished with your test drive, leave the car idling with the parking brake on and give it a final inspection.
1. Look under the vehicle. Are there any new leaks?
2. Notice any smokey or burning smells coming from under the hood.
3. The car should idle smoothly and not sound like it's struggling.
4. Check one more time for any smoke coming from the tailpipe.
Before You Buy
- If, after inspecting the used vehicle, you're still interested in buying it, there are a few more steps you should take before making the purchase.
1. Order a car history report from a service like Carfax. This report can tell you whether the car has been involved in a wreck, flooded, stolen, or used as a rental car.
2. Have a state-certified mechanic put the vehicle on a lift and inspect it.
  - This kind of pre-purchase inspection usually costs about $50-$100 dollars.
3. Get price quotes on everything that does need fixing. You can use these repair costs when negotiating your buying price.
4. If you're uncomfortable with the idea of all the unknowns involved in buying a used car, consider a certified pre-owned vehicle, which have been pre-inspected and often come with some kind of warranty.
Resources for How to Inspect a Used Car
- AutoCheck.com: Used Car Inspection
- CarFax.com: CarFax Vehicle History Reports
- Cars.com: Inspecting a Used Car
- CarSmart.com: How to Inspect a Used Car
- eHow: How to Inspect a Used Car Before Buying
- MotorTrend: How to Buy a Used Vehicle
- MSN Autos: Used Car Pre-Purchase Checklist
- Samarins.com: What to Look for When Buying a Used Car
- Yahoo Autos: Certified Pre-Owned Cars
- Young Money: How to Inspect a Used Car
- Wikipedia: Vehicle Identification Number
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