Buying Used Vehicles - Tips to Avoid Trouble
To avoid purchasing a car with hidden problems, consider the following buying precautions:
Buyer Beware!
- Excessive wear and tear in the interior, regardless of what the odometer says, is a clue that the car has seen some miles. Look for:
- Brake pedal pad worn through the metal beneath
- Driver's seat outer edge is worn through
- Water leaking in directly under the floor mats
- Damp, musty odors are indications of leaks in the windshield, weather stripping or heater core.
- Cars that ride lower in the front as compared to the back indicate worn springs.
Safety First
Do not be fooled by the mileage on the odometer! To see if the instruments have been tampered with, look for fingerprints or scratches inside the plastic covering. Mile numbers that don't line up properly on the odometer offer another fraud clue. This may be a crude attempt at getting you to buy a vehicle that has far more miles (and problems) than what the low mileage would suggest.
- Vehicles that bounce when pushed on indicate worn shocks and struts.
- Tires with worn outer edges from the front end represent the need for an alignment.
- Clanking noises when the vehicle is in gear point towards a problem with the drive shaft universal joints.
- Repainted body panels. Check this by looking at the colors of adjoining panels to see if they match the front fender.
- Motor oil that is not full indicates that the engine may be leaking or burning oil.
- Knocking and ticking sounds that increase as the engine speed increases represent major problems and costly repairs.
- Transmission fluid that is black or brown may indicate internal damage.
- Banging, grinding or squeaking noises indicates a damaged or broken transmission mount.
Whether new or used, buying a car is an investment.
Make sure your vehicle is properly protected by calling TrueNorth today. We are happy to educate you on our insurance solutions for your auto, home and life. For more information, please visit our auto insurance resource page today!