Sizing Up Cars From Used Car Dealers

Sizing Up Cars From Used Car Dealers, When you are purchasing your next used car, it is important to have some handy tips for the decision. After all buying a car new or used is one of the most important purchases that you will make in your life. You deserve the very best and most for your money when purchasing a car from used car dealers. Here are some tips to make the purchase go more smoothly.

Shock Absorbers Test

Shock absorbers are nearly impossible to see and most of us do not know how to tell if they need replacing soon or not. Use the palm of your hands to press against the corner of the car you are thinking of purchasing. Most likely the shocks are bad or will need replacing soon if the car bounces in an up and down motion when you release the corner. Ask the used car dealers to replace the shocks before leaving the lot.

Examine the Tail Pipe

Worn rings and bad valves are very costly to repair and replace on autos. The majority of warranties will not cover this expense. Examine the tail pipe and make sure that it is relatively clean. If there is black soot or gummy material on the tail pipe this is a good indicator that the valves or rings are going to need replacement. You are better off selecting a different car on the lot.

Examine the Fluids

You do not have to be a mechanic to check the fluids of the car. Examine the radiator and radiator fluid to check for any rust. Ask the used car dealers to turn the car on and let the engine idle. Check the transmission fluid to make sure that it is not a brownish color or have any foul odors. Check the oil to make sure that it is not white or have white bubbles in it when you remove the cap. Also, the oil should read as full on the measuring stick.

If you find problems with the fluids or the radiator these can be a sign of hidden mechanical problems. This will be a used car that you want to completely avoid purchasing because the used car dealers will not be able to fix all the potential problems that you might have later down the road with this particular auto. You can find more auto advice at http://www.carmild.com
Mileage Check

Unfortunately some used car dealers or individual sellers will tamper with the odometer to lower the mileage indication on the used car. Examine the interior of the car and pay close attention to the driver's side for wear and tear. For example, if you notice that the break peddle or under the floor mat near the gas peddle has a lot of wear and tear this could be an indication that the very low mileage on the car is a result of mileage tampering. Also, check the front edge of the driver's seat and even the door handle for wear and tear to see if it is what you would expect with the number of miles indicated on the car. If the two do not add up, it is better to go shopping with other used car dealers in your area and completely avoid the one that you are at.

Flood Damage and Leaks

Any type of flood damage is required to be reported by the used car dealers or owner. However, this part of the car's history might be hidden. The other difficulty that you can run into is a car seems perfectly fine and then the first hard rain the car is wet on the inside. Sit inside the car a couple minutes and smell it. Flood damage or leaky cars will have a musty smell to them even after they have been thoroughly cleaned.