Buying a used car can be very stressful. Why? Because you don’t know what it’s been through and maybe you’re not a car expert and can look at telling signs that would leave you to believe a car has been through something in the past. Of course there is the Lemon Law but how can you avoid that situation is better than going through the stress of exercising the Lemon Law. Sure they have carfax.com, but how far are you willing to trust it? Lets take a look at some issues that could help you determine if the car is a lemon, dud, or if it’s being over valued.
Always Test Drive
This is a no brainer. Give the car a run and drive it. Roll the window down so you can get a good listen to how it runs as well as if the brakes or axles underneath make any funky noises.
Tires
Tires can be expensive. Make sure you take a close look and see how bald, old, and when the last time they were replaced. The last thing you want to do is pay top dollar for a car and then invest another $500 in new tires and installation.
Check for Weathering
If you live in an area where hurricanes are frequent, this is big. Where there are hurricanes, there follows flooding. Check the trunk to see if there is any odd smell of mildew. It will be a telling sign if the car sat in water during a flood.
Always Check Under the Hood
The last thing you want to find is a engine with gum, tape, and cardboard holding it together. Make sure it all looks clean and proper.
If you’ve done all of the following, it’s always a good idea to take the car to a mechanic and have them take a deeper look at the car as well. A car is a huge investment, and you want to make sure you get it right the first time.