Gem or Lemon We have gotten a few emails about buying used cars and what to look for. So it seems like a good topic for a blog, actually a three part mini series (you know like when we had only 3 major t.v. stations). I always advise to keep the car overnight and get it to your mechanic during that time. Even if he can only spend ten minutes with it, he will immediately know what to look for. In the event your mechanic is taking a sabbatical, here are some great tips when giving a used car the once over. Vehicle history reportIf it is at all possible get a copy of the vehicle history report. A reputable used car lot will even provide one if you make enough fuss. It is not a cure all but it gives you valuable information. You might want to know if this vehicle was involved in a high speed chase and ended up in the lake. “The Body” Let’s start with the exterior of the vehicle. Take a slow stroll around the vehicle and look at its appearance. Check it from all angles, does the car sit level or one side looks lower? Often if the vehicle was often driven with a full load, the rear springs sag over time. Do the wheels appear straight? Over time, the wheel alignment can change, as the suspension parts wear out. Take note of any of the following: scratches, dents, corrosion spots, faded mirrors, worn wipers, missing hubcaps. These may seem minor, but when negotiating price you may ask for these items to be fixed or a percentage deducted from the final cost. Inspect the paint job. Do any of the panels (door or fender) look shinier than the rest of the vehicle? Then it might be freshly painted. Does the texture of the paint feel different in one spot? Once again, it might have been repainted. An original paint job should look natural and uniform around the vehicle. Does the vehicle have any of rusty spots? If it is extensive, I wouldn’t purchase the vehicle. Even if you repair these spots, the corrosion will reappear later. Check next month for the next exciting episode, same bat time, same bat channel
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 00:12:36 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015