Consider purchasing a vehicle to be a game of poker, with the seller as your opponent. He may be bluffing or he may not, but just like you would in a casino poker room, you must attempt to read the seller.
Always remember to keep your eyes and ears alert while discussing secondhand automobiles. Make certain to ask several questions.
In a casino, you risk your money in hopes of a large return, but when purchasing a car, you just want to receive your money's worth; you want a vehicle that will be dependable and trustworthy. You do not want a vehicle that will not start on chilly days or that stops after a half-hour of operation.
Check the undercarriage and engine compartment for corrosion. Rust is cancer for a vehicle. Once discovered, rust will spread until it is removed and replaced. Under the vehicle and in the engine compartment, rust is unavoidable; nevertheless, it should be limited to the surface. This implies that if you apply a wire brush to the damaged area, the rust will be removed and you will be left with clean metal.
Check the car's body for ripples and bubbles in the paint, which might indicate that it was involved in an accident or that rust was improperly fixed. It is normal for a person selling a car to have rust patches sanded down and painted over to give the vehicle a new appearance. However, after a month or two, the paint will begin to bubble as the metal rusts again.
Examine the engine and mechanical components under the hood of the vehicle. The engine should have little or no motor oil. If you see huge accumulations of oil in a particular region, it is likely that a head gasket will need to be replaced due to an oil leak.
All rubber and electrical components should be inspected for cracks. Cracks in rubber components indicate that the rubber is old and brittle and will likely need to be replaced in the future.
Make careful to ask the owner whether he has all receipts for repairs performed on the automobile.
Another essential piece of advise is to give the vehicle a thorough test drive. Do not be afraid to drive the car aggressively with the owner in the car; they will likely understand. If they disagree, there may be something wrong with the automobile that the owner is attempting to disguise, and you should look for another vehicle.
Many people will tell you that purchasing a used automobile is a gamble, but if you examine each vehicle thoroughly and are not impetuous, you can eliminate any risk and assure yourself a jackpot vehicle.