A CAR is typically the biggest purchase for a household. Buying it may be a very exciting task but if you have limited expenses then it can create a hole in your wallet. People usually go towards used cars when they can’t afford their desired car in its brand new condition. So if you’re thinking about buying a used car but feel intimidated at the thought of it then, fear no more! In this article I highlight just the right tips to help you through your journey of buying a used car.
Figure out your budget
The first step towards buying a car is to figure out how much you can spend without being constrained by your budget. Also consider getting a loan and think about how much of the total amount wills it back.
Check the engine oil
Check the engine oil on a dip stick. Does it have a creamy consistency to it? If it does, that engine has some major problems and you’d want to walk away from that vehicle.
Check the transmission
When testing the transmission, first you want to put on the emergency brake, then when you’re starting the car, put the foot brake on and when you’re shifting from park into drive or reverse, notice if the transmission takes longer than 2 seconds to engage, specially, if it’s followed by a jolt or jerk. If so, the car’s transmission is wearing out.
Tires
Turn the steering wheel fully to reveal the front tire. You want to look at the inside edge. You’re looking for a very distinct wear line with fine metal wires coming out of it. Most people miss this very common hazard. According to Tire Reviews platform, these kind of tires are unsafe and you shouldn’t drive your vehicle on these tires. If rest of the car is in a good condition and you want to purchase it then you can always get the tires replaced. You can check out great quality tires at Tyre Shopper that is a top rated tire retail store online.
Dash lights
There are three very important dash lights that absolutely must come on and then go off when you start the car. Those are the air bag light, engine light and the ABS light. If those lights don’t come on then the vehicle has been tampered with and your safety is at risk. You don’t want to find the hard way in an accident in which your airbag doesn’t inflate. Under no circumstances should you buy that vehicle.
Vehicle identification stickers
There are hidden vehicle identification stickers on each panel of the car. They are approximately 11 in total. Not all manufacturers put VIN stickers on the panels of their car but if you find one on a panel then it should be on every panel of the car. If any of these stickers are missing, painted over or the numbers don’t match the rest then the car has been in an accident or repaired. For your safety this could be a deal breaker. The vehicle may not have the same structural integrity it had before the accident occurred.
