What You Need to Know About Used Cars
Everything You Should Know About Used Cars
Buying used cars in Newton KS is a financially sound decision if you want to cut costs. The process is also not as scary as it was in the past, especially as cars are now more reliable with better manufacturer practices. More than these, other factors like improvement in insurance write-off records, MoT history, and updated outstanding finance records make it easier to spot a bad investment from a mile away.
With technological, manufacturing, and practice improvements, more people can purchase used cars with less fear. However, this doesn’t mean used car buyers should not keep important performance and safety checklists close.
The right performance and safety checklist can help you make the right decision. Below are the essential things to check and remember when buying a used car.
Check the Engine
Car engines are the powerhouse upon which the vehicle runs. A bad engine is a bad investment, especially as it can cost you a lot of money to fix. When buying a used car, you should focus on its engine, performance, and current state.
While inspecting the used car’s engine, focus on the following important issues;
- Leaks
Engine leaks are one of the easiest engine problems to spot. Leaks could be due to different fluids running inside the engine and may indicate possible issues that could later cost you a lot of money. During the inspection, look underneath the car for signs of an oil leak. You can also watch out for sludge on the tarmac under the car.Â
Open the bonnet and check around the engine for brown colorations, usually a sign of oil leaks. You should also check the various oil gauges, from the gearbox fluid to the coolant, engine oil, brake fluid, etc., for shortages.
- Oil
Oil checks are a general car maintenance practice. Check that the dipstick is reading the correct oil levels before deciding. Also, pay attention to the oil color and consistency. Green or white colored oil is indicative of a deeper problem.
- Head gasket
This is also known as the cylinder head and engine block. This engine part prevents engine oil or coolant from entering the engine’s cylinder. Ensure that the head gasket isn’t blown, as this could cause leaks leading to issues like smoky exhaust, loss of engine power during operation, or total engine failure.
- Exhaust smoke color
The exhaust smoke color indicates the engine’s health. A blue smoke points to possible oil leaks within the car’s engine. Black smoke means the engine is burning too much fuel, while white smoke at the start of ignition may be decent, especially on cold mornings and after initial ignition.
Check the Gearbox and Clutch
Unlike the engine checks where you are fully concentrated on what you see, the gearbox and clutch checks are more about what you feel. You may not need to do much of a clutch check if you’re purchasing an automatic vehicle.
For manual vehicles, the clutch is an important point. It controls the gear functions and should be in perfect shape. Start by depressing the clutch pedal and watch how the vehicle responds when you lift your weight off it. Usually, the vehicle should start moving when the pedal is depressed midway. Having to push your foot all the way down before the clutch engages isn’t a good sign.
You should also watch out for how easy it is to switch gears. This is an important consideration for both manual and automatic transmissions. Ensure that the vehicle switches gears up and down seamlessly as you pedal accordingly.
Please Note: CVT cars are a bit different as they do not shift gears. However, there is a gear shift that helps drivers mimic the gear shift feeling. Keep this in mind if purchasing a CVT vehicle.
Bodywork Checks
Having checked the important internal and performance parts, proceed to the bodywork for inspection. Your used car’s bodywork inspection should be as thorough as possible, after all, this contributes to the safety, value, and aesthetics of the car.
This check uncovers deformities or dents on the vehicle. Start by looking through the car’s exterior for any signs of repainting or replacement panels. These can usually be detected from a slight change in color tone, panel gaps, etc. Panel replacement or repainting may suggest the car has been in an accident.
It is important to be able to differentiate extensive repairs from the common car park dings and dents. You should also check for rust or bubbling paint on the metal body parts. If confined to a small area, these problems may not be a big issue, depending on preferences. Other areas to pay attention to include the wheel arches, the gaps between panels, and the front and rear parts.
Wheels and Tires
Your external check should also cover the wheels and tires. Always remember that these checks can help you negotiate a better and fairer price based on the vehicle’s condition. When checking the wheels, ensure that none is bent, cracked, or damaged. Grazes from curbstone contact are fairly common, though.
Check the tires too to ensure they have the right thread and lifespan. Pay attention to cuts, gouges, splits, or bulges – they are not good signs. The tire thread should also be at least 1.6mm deep around the whole tire.
Uneven tires are often indicative of poor suspension alignments. This could be caused by many factors, including an accident, hitting a pothole at speed, etc. Tires that are worn around the middle or both edges indicate consistent under or over-inflation. Such tires need to be replaced immediately to prevent safety issues.
Interior Checks
With the engine, body, and wheels looked over carefully, you can now move on to the used car’s interior. The interior determines your comfort and you want to make the best of it.
Check for the car’s mileage to start with. Ensure that the car has a pretty decent mileage on it. Used cars with higher mileage often cost less and may require more frequent maintenance. Use this information to drive down the car’s price during negotiation.
You should also consider other important interior factors like the upholstery, the roof, air conditioning, steering wheel, seat bases, entertainment system, navigation system, and other electric features.
Other important parts to inspect include the following;
- The trunk
- Dashboard and warning lights
- Electronics and electrical parts
- Used car documentation
The above checklist helps you to comprehensively assess a used car to determine whether it’s right for you and for the price demanded. Visit https://www.conklincars.com/newton-ks-car-dealership.htm to buy your used cars today.
Name, Address, and Phone
Conklin Used Cars, 1400 E 11th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67501, 1500 E 3rd St, Newton, KS 67114, 2700 S 9th St, Salina, KS 67401 Hutchinson, Newton, Salina Kansas 67501, 67114, 67401, 877-882-3315
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