Purchasing a used car can be very confusing due to the numerous things you need to consider, especially if it is your first time to buy a car.

There are many things to look for when purchasing a used car but one important factor is to give the car a physical check before making your final decision.

Before you buy a used car that fits your budget and needs you need to know exactly what to look for and how much you expect to pay for the vehicle you want, as knowledge of what you want gives you much bargaining power when negotiating the price of the car.

Make sure that the car is on a level ground before checking it out

This is to ensure that you will be able to clearly check the tires and to see if there is anything sagging on the car.

Carefully check the paint job of the car, taking note of any rust spots, dents or scratches

The car should be clean so the paint condition is visible. Look at the sides of the car from end-on for waviness; that indicates paint work. Run your finger along the edges of the joints between panels; roughness indicates residue left from masking tape.

Check the trunk of the car to make sure it is still in good condition

It should not show any sign of rust, or water entry due to cracks or holes. Wear inside of the trunk indicates usage of the car.

Check the tires

The tires should be worn evenly and they should match. Look at the surface of the tire for feathering (bad alignment). Bad alignment can be caused by worn steering/suspension components, the pothole down the street or frame damage.

Never buy a frame damaged car

Check the saddle (connects the front fenders and holds the top of the radiator). It may be welded or bolted in. Inspect the bolt heads at the top of the fenders inside the hood; scratch marks indicates that the fenders have been replaced or realigned (after a crash).

Try to get under the car when it is safely raised and inspect the exhaust system or any under-body rust

Look for any black spots on the exhaust system because this can indicate leaking. This is also a good time to inspect for frame or unibody damage.

Check the exhaust with your finger. Greasy grime means important problem. Turn the car on. White vapor (not in a cold climate) is a bad sign too.

Check under the hood of the car for any indication of dents, damage or rust

These can all be signs that the car was either poorly taken care of or damaged. Each fender, just inside where the hood joins, should have a decal with the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of the car. If the decal is not there, it does not necessarily indicate the fender was replaced; the location of the VIN is manufacture-dependent.

Check the hoses and belts

They should not have cracks. The radiator hoses should not be soft.

Inspect the engine for any sort of leaks, or corrosion

On the engine block, look for any dark brown oil stains, this will indicate that there is a leak in a gasket, and could possibly lead to an expensive repair in the future. Check the brake fluid, and reservoir to make sure it is not leaking. The belts should look new (i.e. not have cracks or signs of drying). Old belts can snap.

Remove the oil filler cap

A foam residue on the inside indicates a leaking head gasket. Forget that car.

Pull the transmission dipstick; the fluid should be pink or red.

An old car may be dark but it should not look or smell burnt. It should also be full (check with the engine running).

Check the timing belt

This is the most important belt in the engine, and is also the most costly to replace. If the car is equipped with a steel timing chain, you don't have to worry about this. Normal lifespan of a timing belt is from 60 – 100+ thousand miles; this depends on the manufacturer.

Go inside the car

Check the seats and upholstery of the car for any tears, rips, stains, or other type of damage.

Check to make sure the air-conditioning of the car is working well by turning it on

If air conditioning is a must, buy a car with R134 coolant. Most cars fitted with R134 are 1993 or newer and have a sticker on the AC Condenser.

Check the odometer of the car for the mileage

This is important because the mileage indicates the car’s age. On the average, a normal driver will drive between 10,000 to 15,000 miles (16,000 to 24,000 km) a year; however, this depends on many factors. Remember, cars age by time and mileage. Buying a 10 year old car with very low miles is not necessarily a good thing. If it was driven more than 20,000 miles annually, ask about how it was driven. Long trips and highway miles put less wear and tear on the vehicle than the stop-and-go traffic in the city.

Find out if the car has a computer on board

For a car that has an on board computer, pay attention to the warnings right when you start the car or when you turn the key or the start button.

Verify the lights and all the regular functions of the car when not moving

This includes: any sensors for parking, back parking camera, radio, CD, music installation, etc. Confirm all mechanisms and locks on windows, doors and the trunk work. Try the windshield wipers, air conditioning and heat. Test the stereo, GPS system, CD player and any monitors.

Test drive the car before making any final decisions

This is perhaps one of the best ways to know the condition of the car. Hence, a buyer should make all effort to do a test drive first before coming to any decisions. Test-drive the car to make sure it shifts into gear properly without stiffness. Try the four-wheel drive, if available.

Be sure to check the brakes of the car by pressing down hard enough on the brakes to decelerate rapidly, but not enough to slide

Try this going around 30 mph (48 km/h) in an area without traffic. You should not feel any vibration from the brake pedal, or hear any squealing or strange noises. Brakes that pulsate indicate the need for having the rotors resurfaced or replaced and new pads installed. It should not swerve; this can be caused by a bad brake caliper or worn steering components.

Check for small trepidation at 45 / 55 / 65 / 75 mph (121 km/h)

Slight trepidation during a small speed interval may mean wear at the direction mechanical parts. These may include joints/arms etc. This may go together with uneven wear at the front tire(s).

Check for sounds, trepidation or clunking noise when making a 90 degree turn

Do this at low speed. This means again, wear at the front direction level: joints need to be changed.

Review history

Check out the car's service history which should give you some information regarding the performances, repairs, and problems of the car. Ideally, the current owner would have kept a record of the times when the car needed servicing and should be willing to show you this information. Some cars do not have maintenance records because they maintained them at home. This should be fine as long as they can prove they maintained the car properly. There are instances where used cars are sold because of past accidents or negative experiences. Request the Vehicle Identification Number so you can buy a history report from a company such as CarFax. Make sure the car has not been in a major wreck. Ask to see all maintenance records, if available, to confirm the vehicle was maintained as recommended by the manufacturer. Confirm the car passed its most recent emissions and safety tests. Ask a dealership to see if the car has ever been recalled for safety violations or mechanical problems, and if so make sure the problems have been corrected.

Bring someone who knows cars

It is a good idea to bring along a trusted friend with a good background of automotive know-how to check things that you are not sure of. If you do not have a trusted friend in the auto industry you can pay a mechanic to complete an inspection on it for around 75 – 100 bucks. Make sure this mechanic has good reviews so you will not get scammed into thinking the car is a lemon.

Do not pay the asking price

A used car is a negotiable item. Do not feel the need to pay the price they are asking. The dealer bought this car at a low price, and is turning around and selling it for much more than they purchased it with the notion that they might have to lower that sticker price. Depending on the quality of the vehicle, feel free to offer a price. Be sure that it is a reasonable offer. Try to buy a car that is less than they tell you. Most people try to buy more car than they can really afford. Remember, no matter how good that car is today, it is going to require maintenance in the future. Use parts of the car that are unfavorable to your advantage. If a car is not the color you are looking for, tell the dealer of how you like the car but its colour is deterring you from buying it.

Finally, as you inspect the car be sure to record all items which are damaged or will require replacement. If needed also remind the buyer that you will be taking the vehicle to your own personal mechanic so they do not think the list is for theirs. After you have collected a list of what you believe the car will require you can telephone auto parts stores to check the price and availability of replacement parts. Once you know how much the car will cost to repair if you buy it you can make an informed decision on what you would like to pay as well as increase the likelihood that the seller may reduce their asking price.
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