Your research has enabled you to find a vehicle that meets your expectations. Now that you have chosen a used car , you then have to take the step of checking it before concluding the transaction. But what mechanical elements should you check on this used car? What is the proper procedure to avoid missing hidden defects? To detect useful defects in the negotiation of the purchase price of the vehicle, discover our advice.
Pay attention to the announcement
First, start by watching for inconsistencies in the classifieds on the Internet. In the event that you notice a mismatch between the description of the car and the price offered, suspect a deception, especially with low-value cars.
Also, don’t forget to check if the seller mentions recent maintenance work on the car or if he carried out the technical inspection . The latter, in particular, tells you that the belly vehicle meets the minimum technical and safety requirements, which is more reassuring. Sometimes the advertisement indicates work to be carried out later on the vehicle. While this is always better than not knowing, note that the extent of this work is often downplayed by the seller. Do not rely solely on his statements to assess the costs to add to the purchase price.
Inspect the vehicle from all angles
Once in front of the car, start your inspection from the outside by scrutinizing the bodywork to detect any scratches, scuffs and signs of denting. Then scan the windscreen to make sure that it does not bear any impact that could affect the driver’s field of vision.
When checking the mechanical elements of a used car , just look for signs that could suggest that the mechanics or the structure of the vehicle hides defects that could prove to be serious .
After examining the trunk, the tailgate and the diffuser glasses of the headlights and turn signals, scrutinize the doors, then check the interior of the car . When you reach this level, take the opportunity to get a good idea of the condition of the passenger compartment : seats, headliner, carpet, dashboard, etc. Then ask to carry out the road test.
Make sure of the integrity of the car
The verification of the vehicle itself completed, check that all the elements related to the vehicle are present . In this regard, check the presence of the spare keys, the user manual, the tool kit and the jack, the key for any wheel locks… This will allow you to avoid costly expenses later , because these small elements are difficult to find, and the manufacturers sell them at exorbitant prices.
Investigate his past
As long as you have access to all the necessary car documents , try to reconstruct the vehicle’s history by combing through the service book. The latter informs you about various repair work undergone by the car.
Check the history of a car
The analysis of the revisions , the presence of regular maintenance , as well as the repairs in the event of accidents provide useful information to control the general condition of the used car. Do not hesitate to trace the changes of ownership either .
It must be admitted: not everyone has the knowledge required to carry out a complete examination of a car on their own. Sometimes it is necessary to call on the services of used vehicle inspection professionals . The use of these experts allows you to obtain reliable and useful information not only in the negotiation of the purchase price , but also in the conclusion of the transaction.
The main thing to remember
We are not immune to a bad surprise when buying a second-hand car. Many buyers have unfortunately been victims of hidden defects which led to the cancellation of the sale. To avoid this, we invite you to take your time before buying your new used car and, if possible, to be accompanied by a specialist. Thorough verification is more than necessary. This is why we have listed a few tips that will allow you to buy your car with complete peace of mind.
