| There are a few major items to check out when | | | | could mean the car has had a hard life off the normal |
| buying any used car from private sellers and they are | | | | roads. This could mean extra stress on steering and |
| listed below. Follow these guidelines BEFORE you pay | | | | suspension components. |
| the deposit and you will reduce your chances of | | | | 4. Look at the paint color. The most serviceable |
| buying a headache. You want this car to run cheaply, | | | | color, and best for resale generally, is white. Darker |
| keep its resale value, be reliable and look good. | | | | colors may look good but they show the dirt more |
| Ready to start? | | | | and are harder to match if you need minor panel |
| Look over the car generally first. If you think it is | | | | repairs. |
| suitable, follow these steps. | | | | Check the Motor. |
| Check the Title. | | | | 1. If you are not sure how to do this, have a qualified |
| It is no use paying good money for what seems to | | | | motor mechanic or your road service organization |
| be a bargain, when in a few weeks or months the | | | | check it out. If you want to do this yourself look in |
| car is repossessed due to unpaid debts attached to | | | | the following areas:a) Does the car blow smoke at |
| it. There are several ways to check this out | | | | start up?b) Is the motor very oily and dirty? Does it |
| depending on your local circumstances: | | | | look too clean, just washed?c) Does under the oil |
| 1. Check the owner details with your local or state | | | | filler cap look like the oil is a milky mixture, not |
| government agency and whether there is money still | | | | black?d) Does the radiator show bubbles being |
| owed on the vehicle. | | | | formed in the water when the motor is running?e) |
| 2. Some agencies can also advise whether the car | | | | Are the other fluid levels low? |
| has been written off or wrecked, and then rebuilt. | | | | If any of these problems show up then you may |
| Definitely stay away from a car that has been | | | | need some more expert help. |
| "reborn" since your resale value will suffer when you | | | | Check the Gearbox. |
| try to sell it eventually. | | | | 1. Again, if you are not sure how to do this have a |
| Check the Authenticity. | | | | qualified motor mechanic or your road service |
| 1. Look at the Registration papers and ensure that | | | | organization check it out. If you want to do this |
| the registration plates, the chassis number or vehicle | | | | yourself look in the following areas: |
| identification number and engine number are | | | | Automatics -a) Is the oil level on the dipstick correct |
| EXACTLY the same as the Registration details. | | | | and clean?b) Does it change gears correctly when |
| 2. In older cars look at the chassis number on the car | | | | driven?c) Is the gearbox clean and not showing oil |
| and ensure it has not been tampered with. Make sure | | | | leaks?d) Does it sound OK when being driven or is |
| it looks genuine - not extra clean and just repainted. | | | | there a whine at certain speeds? |
| This could mean that the number has been tampered | | | | If you cannot say Yes to these questions you may |
| with by grinding off the old number and replacing it | | | | need some expert help. |
| with a new one. Stay right away from a car in this | | | | Manuals -a) Is the gearbox clean and not showing oil |
| condition. | | | | leaks?b) Does it sound OK when being driven or is |
| 3. If the car has log books and/or owners purchase | | | | there a whine at certain speeds?c) Is the gear |
| papers all the better. Look through them carefully | | | | change smooth and quiet?d) Does the clutch work |
| and check these details against the answers you | | | | properly, with no shuddering at take-off? |
| receive from the questions you ask in 4.). | | | | If you cannot say Yes to these questions you may |
| 4. Talk to the owner(s) and ask the following | | | | need some expert help. |
| questions. If you notice hesitancy or you think they | | | | Check the Interior. |
| may not be genuine be very, very careful.a) How | | | | Look for these potential problems.a) Always check |
| long have you owned the car?b) Do you know any | | | | upholstery under seat covers - no matter how nice |
| of the car's history prior to your purchase?c) To | | | | they look.b) Look for seat belt wear.c) Do all the |
| your knowledge, are the miles or kilometers | | | | gauges and controls work properly?d) Is the |
| genuine?d) What repairs or work have you had done | | | | headlining in place correctly, not dropping or coming |
| to the car? Do you have receipts for the work? | | | | undone?e) Does it look cared for, or has it been |
| Check the Car Body | | | | neglected? |
| 1. Look for rust. This is the major risk when buying | | | | There are other components such as suspension, |
| second-hand cars. If you are not sure how to do this | | | | brakes, air-conditioning and steering that can also cost |
| have a qualified panel-beater or rust repairer check it | | | | significant amounts of money to repair or replace, |
| out. If you want to do this yourself look for the | | | | but these are usually serviced by experts. |
| telltale signs of bubbles under the paint or brown | | | | These are just some basic checks that you can do |
| orange color in the following areas:a) Under the | | | | when looking to buy a used car. Use your common |
| mudguards or fenders.b) Around each door, especially | | | | sense. Keep in mind, as with any private purchase, |
| under the door.c) In the floor. Lift the mats and | | | | Buyer Beware. If you think you are out of your |
| carpets if you can, and check out carefully.d) Around | | | | depth in any of these major areas, it may be better |
| the windscreen, where it meets the body.e) Around | | | | to have the vehicle checked by an expert. |
| the roof, especially in the gutters. | | | | These are just some general tips and hints from my |
| 2. Look for panel damage and/or repair. Do the | | | | experiences in buying and selling cars over a long |
| panels match properly? Is the paint color consistent | | | | period of time. I am passing them on to you to help |
| on every panel? Has the whole car been repainted | | | | you with your personal finances. You need to be able |
| recently? If it has had a recent paint job, what is it | | | | to save money wherever you can. |
| covering? It could be covering cheap rust repair or | | | | For hints on how to bargain when buying a used car |
| panel work. | | | | from a private seller see my other article titled "How |
| 3. Look under the car. Is it straight and clean? If it's | | | | to Save Real Money When Bargaining With a Private |
| very dirty and the under floor is bent out of shape it | | | | Seller for a Used Car". |