Shopping for a used car comes with an entirely different set of issues that new car purchases don’t usually include. Even if you’ve found a make and model with a reputation for lasting long out on the road, the status of key components changes with each vehicle based on how they have been maintained and treated. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to ensure you’re not driving off with a set of costly problems. Read on for the things to look for when buying a used car, according to an expert.
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1 | Look for any immediate warning signs.
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Scoping out a potential used car purchase can feel like an intimidating process. But even before you get into the vehicle history report, you can perform a quick check on your prospective purchase in five minutes or less.
In a recent TikTok video, an expert from the team at Gills Point Tire and Auto Service provided a quick and simple checklist of things to look at when you’re considering buying a used car. The first one simply involves looking at the dashboard.
“Start it up and see if there’s a ‘check engine’ light,” the technician says. “If there is, it’s a bad sign.”
2 | Turn on the flashers.
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Of course, it’s not just what’s lighting up on the dashboard that matters. The next step involves making sure all the lights on the vehicle are in working order, which you can do by turning on the hazard lights, headlights, and high beams.
With everything switched on and illuminated, you can immediately see if any of the important bulbs have burned out before you drive off, he says.
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3 | Look at the tailpipe.
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While you’re near the trunk checking your tail lights, you can also perform one other important item on the checklist.
“Look in here and see how much carbon is built up on the inside of your exhaust,” he suggests. “Sometimes, it can be a telltale sign that there’s engine damage.”
4 | Check the tires.
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The old adage about kicking the tires may not be something that’s taken seriously anymore, but it’s still important to see what condition your wheels are in before you buy a used car. In this case, you’ll just need a quarter to get the job done.
“Use George Washington’s head on the tire tread. Stick it in there, and if you don’t cover up a little bit of his head with the tire tread, your tires are probably going to need to be replaced,” he shares.
Then, get a little bit deeper by poking inside the hubcap and checking the brakes.
“See if you can see anything on that pad for your disc brakes if you have them,” he suggests, checking they haven’t lost the contour on top that makes them effective. “Make sure there’s a little bit you can see so you know you have some stopping power.”
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5 | Get under the hood.
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Even if you’re not a skilled mechanic, there’s plenty you can tell about what shape a car is in by getting into the engine. In fact, one of the best tests you can run is about as simple as you can get: checking the dipstick and looking at the oil.
“You’ll get to see the quality of the maintenance from the previous owner, the quality of the current oil [and] whether you have to do an oil change or not now,” he says, adding that this is his “favorite part” when running checks on used vehicles.
Still, you should keep your eyes peeled for one other important indicator. “If there’s lots of brown varnish built up from built oil onto this dipstick, it’s an indicative sign that also exists inside the motor and might need some maintenance,” he warns.