Inspect a Used Car in 3 Easy Steps
After doing all your basic analysis on reconnoitering for a second user automotive, you have got currently affected one step nearer to the proper used automotive for you. Now, you need to pay a visit to the seller and inspect the vehicle personally to ensure that it is a fault-free purchase.
Although it sounds easy while reading but it’s one of the most difficult and important exercises in finalizing the right used car. As all of us are not car experts, some common issues haunt almost all of us. Questions like, How to inspect the car thoroughly? What points to cover and what to neglect? How do I make sure that I am not buying a faulty car? needs to be answered.
We will take up all of these and more during this article through a step by step approach on what you need to do when inspecting a used car.
1. Check out the exteriors first
First things 1st, the exterior is what you primarily witness and needs to be checked completely from all angles.
Before being a critic, just observe
Take it easy and take it slow. Before you spot any irregularity or dent on the outside, it’s important to first observe the car on the whole. Just take a fast walk-around and observe areas like the front bumper, headlights, grille, windscreen wipers, side turn indicators, wheel arches, windows, and the boot as well.
Now check for any dents and repair work
When you are going for a used car, it’s a given that you might encounter some minor dents or scratches, to say the least. This is something that you can neglect for the time being as the seller can get that all fixed for you at the time of purchase. Your concern ought to be to examine for any major accidental injury which may be detected from the facet by inspecting areas like joints on the doors still as under-the-side black plastic casing. By taking it off, you will come across punching holes that are done from the manufacturer’s end. An automotive that has undergone major repair won't have any punching holes. You will either see a welding joint or a completely smooth surface.
When going for a rear check, lift the carpet floor inside the boot and take out the spare tire as well. Now, check the metal sheet floor simply to a lower place the spare wheel for pasting areas. Pasting done from the manufacturer’s finish is going to be a bit rough and widespread. Now, if the car has undergone major damage from the back, you won’t find any pasting details or if the repairer is smart, you can get a completely smooth surface which can be a matter of concern on the work done. A roof should also be checked. Stand at a height from wherever you'll be able to see the roof. In case of minor dents, ask the seller to fix it. But if you encounter a significant irregularity within the style, it can be a sign of accidental repair done to a car.
Examine paint difference and check for rust signs
The paint of the car also speaks about any alterations or damage done in the past. Original mill paint is going to be equivalent across all the panels of the automotive. Do a careful examination for any distinction within the look and feel of the panels by rubbing your fork out the painted surfaces. Factory paint will be very smooth due to multiple coatings, while an aftermarket paint job is done will leave a rough surface.
Once the paint check is finished, scan corners, joints, and under-body areas as well for rust signs. Do not mind-bending down and using a flashlight if required when inspecting under-body parts of the car. Rust can be detected by corrosion marks which are dark yellow and brown. The probability of rust signs is maximum on cars that are used in areas that encounter heavy rains or floods.
Check tire conditions along with make and year
Tires are the only point of contact that a car makes with the road. Hence, their healthy condition corresponds to a better economy and performance of the car. To begin with, first, check for the brand on all the four tires including the spare wheel as it should be of the same manufacturer. If there's a twin on the brand, raise the vendor for the rationale. The average life of a tire is around 30,000 – 40,000 kilometers ideally, post which it needs to be replaced.
Apart from this, you can also check for a tire’s age which is printed on the sidewall mentioning the month and year of manufacture. By comparing the year of manufacture of the tires to that of the car, you can get a better understanding of its running. If you are going for a car that has roughly done 40,000+ kilometers, you should ideally get a new set of tires as the first set would be worn out by now. But in case if you are going for a year old car which has 10,000+ kilometers on the odometer and the tires are still brand new, that calls for some suspicion regards to changing the tires despite a lot of kilometers still left on them.
2. Now go for an under the bonnet inspection
After the outside check, pop the bonnet open and take your time to inspect various elements inside.
You can focus on the key areas below:
Match metallic parts color
If the car has undergone any major accident, the first thing you can notice is a repaint work under the bonnet, especially on the nuts and bolts. Examine the metallic area carefully. Ideally, metallic and fabricated parts should be of the same color scheme as the car but there will be a marginal difference in the tone inside, so don’t worry about that.
Engine oil inspection
Engine oil is a vital component for healthy engine life. Check its level carefully, when the car is cold and not running, by taking out the transmission dipstick from the engine’s side mounting.
The engine oil ought to be clear and will reach the second marker on the gage.
Rub it with your hands to check for any smudge. If you witness a dark color that means engine oil needs to be replaced.
Fluids level check
Fluids such as brake and coolant fluid play a very important role in the overall performance of a car.
It is necessary to ascertain if they're crammed to associate degree acceptable level and possess the right formation.
Both brake fluid and also the fluid reservoirs square measure clear in nature that makes it straightforward to ascertain the fluid within while not gap them.
Make sure each square measure crammed until the goop indicator as mentioned on the skin of the reservoir.
Brake fluid color should be very light whereas a coolant can have either a red, green, yellow or blue color. If you come across dark color on any of the fluids, that indicates a replacement.
Do an engine belt check
Faulty engine belts can cause an enormous amount of damage to the car so it’s important to check their condition and ensure a healthy running.
When the automobile is cold and also the ignition is off, inspect the belts for wear and tear and ensure that it’s free from any cracks.
3. Step inside and check the interiors
Now it’s time to finally step inside and monitor the overall features and details on the offer.
Spend some time inside
The moment you step in, take your time checking out the entire cabin by seating at multiple seating positions including the front and the rear seats.
While doing that, look around and check if you find anything out of place.
A seat check is a must
The entire time that you just can pay within the automobile is going to be on the seats itself, so it’s important to do a check for areas such as stains, holes or scratch marks.
If you come across any, notify the seller. When you are at it, recline and retract the front row seats repeatedly to ensure a smooth movement.
Once you sit, do check for cushioning and under-thigh support padding to see whether it’s comfortable or not.
Explore and check interior features
Start with the central console and also the dashboard by sound each button and rotating each dial gift.
Check the functioning of each feature if it’s working properly or not.
Do not prohibit yourself to merely associate degree AC and audio unit check.
Further, move to the driving force seat options and check all driver accessible options as well as the handwheel controls (if any) and also the Multi-Information show (MID) further on the
instrument cluster.
Don’t avoid the floor, check it thoroughly
Start by checking the condition of all the ground mats and so take away them and examine the ground beneath.
It should be free from any rust or additional tampering. Do not hesitate to sniff out any foul smell, dents or crack on the floor.
Any such sign will indicate rust or deuterium oxide conditions like rains or flooding that an automobile might need competent.
To quickly brush-up everything, always remember to inspect the car on the above three aspects i.e.
1.Exterior check 2. Under the bonnet check and 3. Interior check. Taking the help of all the above pointers will guide you towards the right used car.
Once you're glad and you continue to wish to be double-positive, you'll forever get a trusty supply like a famed mechanic to try to do a check for you.
Source
Katie Wade
Director of Land Rover Repair in the UAE