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The first thing that you should check when buying a used car is the engine. Simply start the car and keep it running on idle. Pop open the hood and remove the cap that covers the spot where you put in the oil. Place your hand a few inches over the hole but don't let your palm touch the rim of the hole. Count for ten seconds then take a look at your palm. If you find any traces of oil on your palm, this means that the valve, piston or piston ring of the engine has developed a flaw and needs to be overhauled. You can probably purchase used cars with flawed engines at half the price but the cost to get the engine in shape could be pretty high.
The second thing to check for is the brake system. A sedan usually has two brake discs in front and two drum brakes at the back. Brake discs work with a caliper or clamp that grinds break pads against a metal disc to slow down and eventually stop the motion of the car. You can usually see the discs on the front wheels through the rim of the tire. Drum brakes are hidden inside a metal casing. When the brake pedals are stepped on, pressure is applied to contract the circular construct of the brake pads to grind against the brake drum. When it comes to braking power, the brake disc is more efficient than the drum brake. Most super cars will use brake discs instead of drums.
The third item on your checklist should be the suspension and shock absorber systems. A car should not produce any noises from underneath when running with the exception of the wheels against the pavement. If you hear some metallic clunks or vibrations underneath when test driving the car, this usually indicates a problem with the suspension system. This means that some rubberized components like gaskets should be tightened or replaced if necessary. Shock absorbers are named as they are because they absorb shocks or jarring motions generated by uneven, unpaved roads or potholes on the roads. You will know that the shock absorbers are not functioning properly when the whole car produces a jarring sound and motion every time it hits a bump on the road. This means that those shock absorbers need to be replaced. Always replace all shock absorbers at the same time. Running with even one bad absorber will ruin the others.
Check the rubber hoses, the rubber coating of electrical wires and the rubber gaskets around doors, windshields and any other rubber that you can see. If the rubber is too hard, brittle or has become somewhat whitish in color, the rubber needs replacement. For electrical wires, it would be better to replace as much of the electrical wire system to freshen up the cars electrical distribution system. One reason your headlights are dim is because of old wires that doesn't carry as much current as it used to.
Finally, give the body of the car a once over. Look for rust spots on the outside, inside and underneath. Rust is like tooth decay. You can't remove it just by brushing. You need to remove the decayed or rusted area and replace it with new material. Usually, car dealers will just replace a whole car panel instead of just the rusted part if the decay has affected a large area. This makes replacing rusted panels more expensive.
Used care sales persons will price the car at slightly higher than market price values. Try to get a price reduction as they have already calculated a discount into the price just in case you ask for it. If you can contract a certified mechanic to join you in buying a used car, so much the better for you.
For myself, I prefer buying a car directly from its owner rather than a used car sales person. Some unscrupulous sales people will make the car shine like it's new but neglect to repair any internal damages. |
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