The following are the very important things that must be rigourously observed when you presumably an average person without any form of technical automotive knowledge wants to buy an automobile.

1.Don't let the aesthetic,that's the shimmering or sexy look of the car fool you. Usually, vehicles prepared for sale are deliberately burnished to glimmer.

2.Be very observant, immediately you turn the key on(just simply by turning the key one stroke, no cranking sound yet and the engine isn't working yet), make sure that all the images on the dashboard are lighted up. Why? Some Smart Alec car sellers sometimes remove or tape over the bulbs, inside the dashboard, of the warning signs.

3. As soon as the engine is cranked within a few seconds, it must not be up to a minute, the entire dashboard signs' lights must go off.

4. If you notice the CHECK ENGINE light going off simultaneously with the ALTERNATOR light and/or the OIL PRESSURE,then something is wrong.
5.Once the engine has been cranked and is running at idle, the person/s in the vehicle must not feel any discernible vibration. If you feel any form of vibration, it's either bad engine mounts/s, or bad transmission mount or the engine is misfiring.
6. If the vehicle has an automatic transmission system,simply engage the gear with your foot firmly on the brake pedal, you must not feel any sudden shudder or jerking. It should be a smooth engagement with the vehicle simply trying to move in the direction("" forward and "R" backward) of the gear engaged.
7. If all the above observations have been satisfactorily met, while the vehicle's still running smoothly in idle, put on the AC(air conditioner). The needle on (or counter of) the RPM guage must still remain at the same position, allowing for maximum of fifty, over or below(not up to a movement between two stroke marks of the RPM guage). This is a good load test on the engine.
8.Before you make any payment for, or on, the vehicle: look through the lower region of the automobile's windscreen, literally in front of the steering wheel, or on the door frame of the driver's side, for the 17-digit VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)log on to http://www.carfax.com/, to get the vehicle history( service,ownership;incident-like accident/s etc).
If you are happy with the report and all observational and physical test explained above, satisfied, you can then pay for the car.
]http://automedicsafrica.com/new/?p=816
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bless u my bro for this public enlightement ...

It's a good read. Thanks.

Finally, a gd post making front page...rather than daily updates from Tonto Dikeh's publicist and some front page wannabe's posting pix of "who wore it better"!

Wht abt plane?

automedics:

2.Be very observant, immediately you turn the key on(just simply by turning the key one stroke, no cranking sound yet and the engine isn't working yet), make sure that all the images on the dashboard are lighted up. Why? Some Smart Alec car sellers sometimes remove or tape over the bulbs, inside the dashboard, of the warning signs.

Is this second point peculiar to Nigeria/Africa or everywhere?

Interesting piece of information. So if I check my father's car's VIN, I should be able to know who the car belonged to?

tanx

Thanks , very good post !

Nice one...

Good One Sir. I will be joining your next set of students very soon to acquire more knowledge. Knowledge is POWER.

How I wish buyers can heed to your advise,majority of them are looking for cheap cars forgetting nothing good comes cheap.

Hi,pls wat causes the sudden shudder/jerking.regards..

Good post,keep it up.

Bless you brother this is realy good

nice post

korrect post tanx
but does this apply in Nigeria too? the 17-digit VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)log on to carfact.com, to get the vehicle history"...

Hmmm, Car purchase is a long-term capital expenditure, so i'll rather buy a low budget (cheap ass) "tear rubber", than risk being duped.

Thanks bro! Text ur account number for a job well done

8.Before you make any payment for, or on, the vehicle: look through the lower region of the automobile's windscreen, literally in front of the steering wheel, or on the door frame of the driver's side, for the 17-digit VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)log on to carfact.com, to get the vehicle history( service,ownership;incident-like accident/s etc).

This is a nice post, i really enjoyed it. However, I tend to go against para 8.
Do I hear why? I'll tell you....
In this part of the world, we don't keep effective and detailed records of repairs
and pimping carried out on vehicles.
once again, your no.1 to 7, very accurate and impressive.

Story! Carry an experienced mechanic to see the car if possible two different mechanics at two different dates.

Give them food, them go tell you car wey still dey bam. Then dont buy a car on the first day you visit a car shop. Check the car several times.

There is also a way of knowing stolen cars, from a tampered chasis number below the windscreen or on the driver's door.

Jus what I need

@op I logged on 2carfax.com,it only states my car has 25 history records and nothing more.where do I get to view d records?

Timely post!

You will be charged when you log on to carfact.com 4any info on ur car,its suppose 2b free.

God bless you really good! @automedics.......ur post was just so timely for me!

NICE 1

Yeah, it's fine to av a good knowledge of this but it is better if u still take a trusted expatriate with u cos dose boys could go to any length to deceive one.

Very nice tip