Having your own car is nothing less than a necessity in the modern era. You need to have a reliable form of transportation to commute to places. Moreover, initially, buying a car may seem like an expensive decision, but in the long run, it will be a lot more economical and budget friendly since the cost will be lesser than the money you would spend on fares, taxis and buses.
If you are someone who cannot afford a brand new car, buying a used car can be an excellent option for you. There are plenty of second hand cars that have an excellent condition and can be bought for a fraction of a cost as compared to a brand new one.
But you have to carefully examine and inspect the car before you finalize the purchase. This article will serve as a comprehensive checklist that will guide you through the process and help you ensure that the used car you are buying is in an optimal condition.
Checking The Engine
Engine is indeed the most critical component of the car. You should carefully inspect the engine to analyze the condition of the car and determine whether it is worth buying or not. Check the consistency and color of the engine oil. If the engine oil is too thick and dark in color, it indicates that the engine is not in a good condition.
The engine should be checked for a standing car and also after taking the car for a test drive. During the test drive, hear closely to find any abnormal sound in the car engine. A knocking sound or crackling is also a sign of a poorly maintained engine.
However, if the engine oil looks liquidy and is of a light brown color and you do not notice any abnormal sound in the car’s engine, it means that the car’s engine is working perfectly and you can buy it.
Checking The Body And Paint
The next step is to examine the body of the car. Do you notice any dents or scratches on the car’s surface? Used cars do have slight marks on the body but if the seller never mentioned them, it means that there is some underlying issue with the car and it is best to avoid purchasing such a vehicle.
Checking the paint is also extremely important. You can either use a gadget to gauge whether the car is in its original form or it has been repainted or you can use the knocking method to check the status of the car’s paint.
Examine The Tyres:
Check the tyres of the car to evaluate their condition. If the tyres appear to be too worn out, it means that they will require an immediate change. If the car is good overall and you can afford the tyre change with the purchase of the car, there is no harm in opting for a used car that has worn out tyres.
However, if you want to continue using the car as it is without spending money on the tyre change, it is best that you look for a car that comes with tyres that are maintained and can be used for a couple of months.
Accidental Cars
Some cars face severe accidents. After the accident, the owners can get the car fixed to make it appear as if it is in the perfect working condition. However, the internal parts of the car may be damaged. Make sure that you ask the seller about the condition of the car. It is highly recommended that you avoid buying accidental cars as they require a lot more investment and care and will end up costing you a huge sum of money.
But if you find that the car was in a very small accident, and the overall inspection reveals that the internal components of the car are doing well, you can still consider spending money on buying such a car.
Conclusion
Buying a car is an important decision. Rather than making a hasty choice and buying the first used car you come across, make sure that you put in some time and effort to pick the right used car for yourself. Do some research and find a couple of cars that fall within your budget range.
Once you have some options to consider, personally go to inspect the cars. Do not rush through the inspection process. Take your time and check the car inside out. If you find that the car looks alright, it is still recommended that you call in an expert or professional mechanic to have a look at the car. Only after getting a go ahead from a professional should you actually consider buying a car. The car you are buying may be used, but you will have to ensure that you get the best car possible.