An assessment of the current condition of the car may be necessary when preparing it for the sale or buying a used car, as well as before a long trip. During the inspection, the external characteristics and indicators of the engine are taken into account.
Visual inspection
First of all, it is necessary to assess the condition of the body paintwork. For this, it is recommended to inspect in bright light. In this version, all the disadvantages of painting will become noticeable. For example, if the shades on different elements are different, this could mean damage has occurred. Then they tried to hide them under a new coat of paint.
With active use of the car, the surface is often damaged by gravel and small stones. Usually, after that, chips remain on the doors and hood. When contacting a skilled specialist, such defects are quickly eliminated.
When inspecting a vehicle, it is worth opening all the doors and looking at the bolts. They must be screwed all the way in without fail. Ideally, the trim fits snugly throughout the interior.
The joints of the elements in the factory interpretation represent traces of spot welding, which cannot be repeated in the conditions of the workshop. Thus, uneven seams indicate a recent replacement of an element.
Pay particular attention to the spare wheel well. An accident that deforms this part may cause changes in the geometry of the body. With such malfunctions, it becomes impossible to perform toe-in and camber-out. For such checks, special equipment is used.
The condition of the clearances of the boot lid, headlights and bumper is also important in assessing the condition of the vehicle. They must be the same on both sides. If there are significant differences, then the car was damaged in an accident.
Assessment of engine condition
It is recommended to check the undercarriage of the machine at specialized sites with the participation of experienced mechanics. They have a set of special devices that facilitate this process. However, not every potential car owner can afford to pay for the service.
It is better to start the inspection with the gaskets. The presence of oil leaks indicates the need to replace this part of the engine. The oil filler neck must be clean, like the rest of the engine compartment.
The inside of the cover that has black deposits indicates that an oil change is required. It should be noted that the spent composition negatively affects the engine components. For an additional check for a malfunction, you can start the car and see how the oil reacts to this with an open throat - splashing drops means a motor malfunction.
In any case, experts also recommend taking into account the speedometer readings and the condition of the interior of the car.
