When buying a used car, a thorough inspection is important. It can help you discover hidden flaws and predict upcoming maintenance and repair costs. In addition, car diagnostics (both independent and performed by specialists at the service station) will reduce the initial sales price.
Instructions
Step 1
Check the documents for the car. Verify the engine, body and vehicle identification number (VIN) numbers on the documents. Examine the signs carefully: uneven signs, sloppy rivets and weld marks around the number stamped in the metal are typical for cars with a criminal history.
Step 2
Carry out a visual inspection to determine if the vehicle has been repaired after an accident or not. Inspect the body front fenders fasteners. If the washers are displaced, paint is knocked down on the edges of the screw heads and the influx of body sealant, which is applied to the joints of the fenders, is broken, this will be a sure sign that the body element has been repaired. Traces of paint on the edges of the glass seals and a drop in its layer under the rubber seal will indicate that the car was painted after repair. The replacement of glass after an accident may be "hinted" by the detachment of its plastic edging.
Step 3
Examine the car interior. Evaluate the real mileage by the "sitting" of the driver's seat, the condition of its upholstery, the scuffs of the steering wheel and pedal pads. A sure sign of a car accident is the sealed steering wheel hub lining, which means that the airbag has deployed. Peel back the floor covering and check for corrosion. To check the attachment of the front seats to the underbody of the body, shake them back and forth. If you see swelling on the dashboard, stains on the upholstery of the seats and the upholstery of the passenger compartment, accompanied by a characteristic musty swampy smell, then the car has been in the water for a long time.
Step 4
Start the car engine. It should start up easily within 1-2 seconds and work without interruptions and side noises. Confirmation of severe engine wear will be the blinking or constant lighting of the control lamp showing the oil pressure. The condition of an automatic transmission indirectly reflects the level, smell and appearance of the transmission fluid. Check the operation of the power steering: when turning the steering wheel of a running car, the gain should be less than when the engine is off. If the amplifier drive belt is worn out, you will hear a sharp squealing sound.
Step 5
Determine the condition of the shock absorbers by inspecting the suspension struts for fluid leaks and wet spots. Uneven tire wear is evidence of malfunctions in the chassis, improper wheel alignment, or violation of the geometry of the body. Pay attention to brake discs: old rust and rough surfaces will reflect malfunctioning brakes and jammed calipers. Also check the quality of the attachment to the body of the exhaust system. If you see greasy soot on the inside of the exhaust pipe, it will mean increased oil consumption and may indicate severe engine wear. Inspect the dash panel from the engine compartment for wrinkles and dents. Peering into the trunk, fold back the trim and floor mats.
Step 6
Take a test drive to assess the driving behavior of the vehicle. Close the windows and listen for extraneous sounds. A crunch when smoothly moving forward and backward with the wheels turned to the sides will indicate malfunctions in the constant velocity joints. Knocks when trying to gently steer the vehicle forward or backward while the parking brake is applied is an indication that the power unit mountings are out of order or there are looseness in the chassis. Perceptible vibrations and clutch slippage will be harbingers of the need to replace it. Engine humming during acceleration or deceleration is a sign of a faulty transmission. The operation of the automatic transmission must be carried out without any extraneous noise and vibration.
