When shopping for a used car the obvious goal is to locate a reasonably priced vehicle that is relatively free of mechanical deficiencies. As part of the buying process you must inspect the vehicle to determine the condition. Many people elect to have used cars inspected by a mechanic previous to making a purchase offer however there are limitations to this process.
It is not practical to pay a mechanic to inspect every vehicle that you consider a possibility to buy. Specifically the cost and time associated with the inspection, coupled with the fact that the majority of used cars are overpriced and require extensive repairs to make them roadworthy, make this an impractical enterprise. In order to maximise the cost versus benefit of paying a mechanic to inspect a used car you must be able to determine, at least somewhat, a viable used car option.
If you are able to determine a likely candidate for a good deal on your own, this can help to narrow the field of potential vehicles down. If you are able to determine which vehicles require repairs which are too expensive to consider buying then you will drastically reduce the amount of wasted time and money you spend hiring professionals for their opinions.
Listed below are the most common as well as most expensive vehicle repairs that you will encounter when used car shopping:
New Transmissions - A new transmission in a car requires specially qualified mechanics and often will cost more than replacing an entire engine. This is especially true for automatic transmission cars. When considering buying a car with an automatic transmission it is essential that you research the specific year, make and model of car you are looking at to determine if it has a reputation of premature failure with the transmission. In person, the most accurate test you can do to is to smell the transmission fluid by checking the transmission fluid dipstick. The transmission oil should be red and will become discoloured over time from heat, dirt and mechanical wear. If the transmission fluid smells burnt this is a clear indication that advanced transmission wear is present and this vehicle should be avoided. Additionally a test drive that allows the car to shift into every gear is essential. Listen for any sounds emanating from the transmission such as whining as you accelerate. Also note if the vehicle changes gears smoothly. Any cars with leaks in the transmission system should be avoided. Unlike the engine where small oil leaks are not uncommon especially in higher mileage vehicles, leaks in the transmission are a big problem and should be avoided.
New Engines - Much as you would expect new engines in a car are very expensive. Even rebuilt engines or replacing a blown engine with a used motor can be one of the most costly items that a used car could require. The oil in the engine will be your biggest insight into the condition of the engine overall. An engine that leaks oil is an indication that the car has been abused or not properly maintained in the past. Check the oil in the car, which should be clear-ish and light brown in color. Black oil is a sign of engine deposits and grime and are an indication that the inside of the engine is dirty. A car that has not had regular oil changes will have black oil even shortly after a fresh oil change. Oil that is coffee coloured, or milky brown, can be an indication that radiator coolant is leaking into the engine. This is a sign of internal engine damage from either a cracked head or leaking head gasket - both things that you need to avoid if you are looking for an engine that will last for any reasonable period of time. Another indication of this problem can be found by looking in the radiator itself (NOT to be done while the engine is hot, or even warm unless you are trained at how to do this as it is dangerous). If you find evidence of oil mixed in with the engine coolant, or evidence that the coolant level is lower than what it should be you need to skip this vehicle and move onto the next
Rust & Rot - The third most expensive repair that you can encounter with a used car is extensive rust or rot anywhere on the car. Rust is considered the cancer of used cars and can cause extensive in so many ways that it would be impossible to list them all. One of the worst areas for rot would be on the frame of the car itself as repairs to this are exceedingly difficult and time consuming to perform. Some vehicles with advanced rot to the undercarriage and frame will be beyond the scope of fixing and you may find yourself with a car that is not drivable at all. Always inspect used cars in good light, and be sure to have a good flashlight with you to inspect the underside of the car. Especially in cold weather climates where road salt is commonly used you will find many used cars that are rusted beyond the point of repair.
There are of course many other items, both mechanical and otherwise, that must be inspected before you can purchase a used car with confidence. These are simply a few of the more common failures to look for and avoid when used car shopping.
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