15 Things to Be Aware of When Buying a Used Car

There are at least 15 things to be aware of when buying a used car, not the least of which is the price. Be aware of red flags.

What can you afford?

There’s no need to break your wallet for a car that you can’t afford. Be aware of the price tag, especially when it comes to your finances.

How much research have you done?

Don’t walk onto a car lot without knowing what you’re looking for. Be aware of what you need, what you want, and whether any of the cars on the lot check off these boxes.

Be wary of whose opinion you take

If you have a friend or a family member who knows what they’re talking about, take them along. But be wary of anyone who uses terms and words without explaining them.

Check that the car is on level ground

This does matter in a big way. Dealers are well-versed in how to position a vehicle or present it to buyers to give them the best angle or look.

Always check underneath the car

This isn’t a fail-proof way to check for leaking fluids since a dealer can easily make superficial fixes. But if you find rust, evidence of leaking fluids, or anything similar, then walk away.

Pay close attention to the body of the car and the areas you can’t see

If there’s a bent part, something that’s been recently fixed, or anything that doesn’t look right, question it. Even if you don’t know anything, question everything.

Check the exhaust system

Any big greasy spots or grime around or on the exhaust are things to be aware of. You don’t want something that’s going to cost you extra to fix once you’re off the lot.

Always check the frame

On a used car lot, it’s fair to say that some cars are going to have a few dings and dents. But beware of any huge issues that look as though they’ve been shoddily fixed.

Always look at the windows, all of them

Dealers will often try to keep your attention on them, and there are many reasons. Listen to them talking, but keep looking at every part of the car, especially the glass.

Has the car been through an emissions test

First, know something about the emissions standards where you live. Then, make sure that the car you want has passed a recent emissions test.

Check under the hood

Indeed, you might not know what you’re looking at if you glance at an engine. But grease spots, broken parts, and other issues aren’t hard to see.

Check for leaks, and corrosion, and listen for funny sounds

This is when you need to bring someone who knows something with you if you don’t know much that is. Someone who knows what they’re doing will be able to point out this kind of stuff.

Hoses and belts, are they working?

A crack in a hose or belt is a huge red flag. Any dealer that tries to push this off is not your friend.

Transmission fluid hue does matter

If it’s black, walk away. If it’s a fairly orange-red color, then it’s been taken care of.

If there’s a funny smell to the car, ask why at least

You don’t want to be rolling around in a moldy, rotting hulk that will fail you at the worst moment. Plus, it’s tough to focus on driving when your nostrils keep twitching.

What condition are the seats in?

It’s not the most important part of a car, but it is still fairly important since you do need a place to sit when driving. Also, make sure there are no cracks, tears, or uncertain stains.