How to Inspect a Used Car for Purchase
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Date: 2021-02-01
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Comments and reviews: 10
Anonymike
If you are a home mechanic, the important thing is always drive train integrity. Anything else mechanical (brakes, drive axles, cooling system leaks, minor electrical problems, even most oil leaks) are pretty easy to fix. Timing belts can be easy or difficult depending on the model but the number of models that have timing belts decreased rapidly after about 2010. Timing chains are good but are very vulnerable to lack of oil changes and usually harder to replace than a timing belt. Tires to me are not a selling point. You end up paying for someone else's choice of tires. It's better to pay less and get your own tires. With as little driving as I do these days, I would not want to pay for someone else's near-new high-end touring tires when a decent low end all-season tire would do me just as well. It is entirely flat where I live and there is never ice and snow on the roads either. Same with someone else's recent shop brake job. To me an ideal used car is one with a good drive train that needs new brakes, new tires, and a new timing belt that the owner has just decided to move on from rather than pay shop prices to do these recurring items.
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If you are a home mechanic, the important thing is always drive train integrity. Anything else mechanical (brakes, drive axles, cooling system leaks, minor electrical problems, even most oil leaks) are pretty easy to fix. Timing belts can be easy or difficult depending on the model but the number of models that have timing belts decreased rapidly after about 2010. Timing chains are good but are very vulnerable to lack of oil changes and usually harder to replace than a timing belt. Tires to me are not a selling point. You end up paying for someone else's choice of tires. It's better to pay less and get your own tires. With as little driving as I do these days, I would not want to pay for someone else's near-new high-end touring tires when a decent low end all-season tire would do me just as well. It is entirely flat where I live and there is never ice and snow on the roads either. Same with someone else's recent shop brake job. To me an ideal used car is one with a good drive train that needs new brakes, new tires, and a new timing belt that the owner has just decided to move on from rather than pay shop prices to do these recurring items.
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ImTheDaveman
Detecting if the frame is warped: With front wheels straight - measure by hand width (or small measuring tape) the distance from the front of the tire to the fender. Do the same on the other side. If both sides are the same - it's good. If they are not the same, there's a good chance the frame is warped. Also, you want the VIN number to check the car's history and to see if it's stolen. If the car has no VIN number - don't buy.
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Detecting if the frame is warped: With front wheels straight - measure by hand width (or small measuring tape) the distance from the front of the tire to the fender. Do the same on the other side. If both sides are the same - it's good. If they are not the same, there's a good chance the frame is warped. Also, you want the VIN number to check the car's history and to see if it's stolen. If the car has no VIN number - don't buy.
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large
ASK TO TAKE A USED CAR TO YOUR MECHANIC. If they say no, walk away. Just looking at a car as portrayed in this video just isn't enough. It won't tell you if there are problems with the engine, suspension, front end etc. This video may be a good starting point but the few bucks that you pay a mechanic now may save you thousands of dollars in the end.
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ASK TO TAKE A USED CAR TO YOUR MECHANIC. If they say no, walk away. Just looking at a car as portrayed in this video just isn't enough. It won't tell you if there are problems with the engine, suspension, front end etc. This video may be a good starting point but the few bucks that you pay a mechanic now may save you thousands of dollars in the end.
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Adam
When you go to check the car, I like to knock on the common rust areas, like you would knock a door. A hollow feeling mal-type sound is what we want, like when you knock the hood. Anything that isn't that type of sound has cause for concern
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When you go to check the car, I like to knock on the common rust areas, like you would knock a door. A hollow feeling mal-type sound is what we want, like when you knock the hood. Anything that isn't that type of sound has cause for concern
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John
Here is another tip Jaguars are money pits. Unless you have to have one move on to a an American or Japanese made car. Or budget for repairs because any Jag especially an old one will be constantly having problems and going in for repairs.
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Here is another tip Jaguars are money pits. Unless you have to have one move on to a an American or Japanese made car. Or budget for repairs because any Jag especially an old one will be constantly having problems and going in for repairs.
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Louis
Not really useful the damages that you showed could cost nearly nothing the expensive parts are the engine, transmission, steering. If you don't pop the hood and check what's inside you can't even think of buying it
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Not really useful the damages that you showed could cost nearly nothing the expensive parts are the engine, transmission, steering. If you don't pop the hood and check what's inside you can't even think of buying it
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3wheelmaniac
I also check the date code on tires. Tire shops usually won't service 10+ year old tires. Look for weather checking on the tires too. It may have lots of tread but could be to old to be safe and reliable.
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I also check the date code on tires. Tire shops usually won't service 10+ year old tires. Look for weather checking on the tires too. It may have lots of tread but could be to old to be safe and reliable.
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abifarin
The electronic systems, checking up with the exhaust fluid, sound of the engine when running, leakages when it is raining, and strange Noises. And other systems that supports the health of the car.
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The electronic systems, checking up with the exhaust fluid, sound of the engine when running, leakages when it is raining, and strange Noises. And other systems that supports the health of the car.
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oussama
thats why i hate poeple who know alot of about cars always try to down the price what do you expectt a car tthat like 5 and above years old ofc they gonna have scratches and stuff
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thats why i hate poeple who know alot of about cars always try to down the price what do you expectt a car tthat like 5 and above years old ofc they gonna have scratches and stuff
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Sharptooth100
The only used cars I go for are the Toyota Camry's. Even an expert Toyota mechanic and car restorator love to restore old cars like new, even restoring the original engine.
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The only used cars I go for are the Toyota Camry's. Even an expert Toyota mechanic and car restorator love to restore old cars like new, even restoring the original engine.
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