It is strongly discouraged to purchase a used car without a thorough preliminary check. It may happen that in just a few days or weeks, hidden defects will make themselves felt, and you will have to spend a considerable amount on repairing an unsuccessfully selected car.
Instructions
Step 1
Inspect the car only during daylight hours. If the seller convinces you to check the car late at night, by the light of the lanterns, you better look for another option. The fact is that in low light, you will not be able to see even some obvious defects.
Step 2
Sit to the right of the hood and carefully inspect the side of the car, then repeat the same action on the left. As a rule, it is from this point that some defects are best visible: small dents, slight changes in paint color, etc. Then carefully inspect the entire body for damaged areas.
Step 3
If it seems to you that in certain places there are differences in the color and texture of the paint, drag over them with a magnet. If the force of attraction is very weak, then these areas have been treated with a putty.
Step 4
Pay special attention to moldings, decals and other accessories. Usually they are used to decorate the car, but some sellers specifically attach them to hide defects in the body. Plastic thresholds can be evidence that the original ones have already begun to rot.
Step 5
Assess the geometry of the body. You will not notice minor inconsistencies: special equipment is needed to determine them. But you can inspect all gaps and doors. The width of the gaps should be the same along their entire length. All doors should open and close without difficulty and approximately the same amount of effort should be applied to slam them.
Step 6
Check the shock absorbers. To do this, you need to forcefully press each wing of the car in turn: the car should rise, then slightly lower and then rise again. If the vibrations continue, then there is something wrong with one of the shock absorbers.
Step 7
Examine the salon. Perfectly clean carpets, seats and dashboard are rare, so dirt shouldn't be overlooked. Better take a look at the upholstery of the doors and the ceiling: is it of high quality, will it be necessary to change it soon, etc.
Step 8
Check the clutch and transmission. Both must function correctly, without delays and extraneous sounds. If, when you press the clutch pedal, an unpleasant pungent smell appears, you should not buy a car.
