How to inspect a used vehicle before buying

Buying a used car can provide you with an excellent vehicle for a low price; most new cars immediately lose value as soon as they are driven off of the lot. Buying a used car can also make you the owner of someone else's nightmare. Take your time with your purchase to get the best vehicle that you can afford.

First steps:

If you are making a purchase from a car dealer ask for a vehicle history report. They should be able to provide this. Know the market before you start shopping by looking up Blue Book values and comparing advertisements in your local paper and on-line. Do some research on the Internet about the type of car you are interested in. Many times you will be able to find information about particular problems that are unique to the model or manufacturer.

If you are not experienced in car inspections bring along a friend that is. Better yet ask if your mechanic can inspect the vehicle before you close the sale. Most dealerships and many private sellers will allow for an inspection before purchase.

Under the hood:

When checking under the hood there are many things to look for. How clean is the engine and does it show signs of oil or antifreeze leaks? If the engine has just been cleaned you may want to take a closer look, it could be a sign of problems. Check and smell the engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid and antifreeze. None of these fluids smell good but if you notice a burnt smell there is a problem.

Take some oil from the dipstick and rub it between your fingers. It should not be gritty or have metallic residue. The same applies to the antifreeze. Also check the antifreeze for any signs of oil. The brake fluid should appear fairly clear without signs of contamination.

Body and interior:

Check the body of the car for rust. Depending on the age of the car and your location some rust may be acceptable but you should check the extent of it. Check for slight differences in paint color, this can be a sign of body work that indicates the vehicle was in an accident.

The interior of the vehicle can also give you many clues about its condition. Check the odometer. Do the numbers line up or are they a bit uneven? If they are not in a straight line it is a sign of odometer tampering. Unfortunately this method does not work for digital odometers. In this case check for excessive wear on the brake and gas pedals. If they look completely worn down but the mileage is under 100,000 there is a problem.

Wheels:

Check the tires for wear. If the tire wear