Things to Consider when Shopping for a Used Car

Maybe it’s your first, maybe you just lost your previous car, or maybe you’re looking for a second set of wheels. In either case, you’re looking for a good deal on a used car. Well a good deal is one thing, but a good car is far more important. Especially a on a quality used Audi, Volkswagen, BMWs, Mercedes or other import that can save you thousands of dollars and only being a few years old. These types of high quality cars, require high quality maintenance, oils, and usually fuel. Here are some things to look for when buying any used car. First of all, the paint. If someones trying to hide something, it could be difficult to see at first glance. Look for paint overspray in the wheel wells or trim pieces. A job done professionally should leave very little trace of any overspray, and this ensures a proper seal in the paint too. (So it doesn’t rust) Another easy check is the tires. Walk around the car and check if all 4 are the same brand and model. It’s also a good idea to scope the wear pattern and whether they are wearing down in the tread evenly. And while you’re down there, look into the wheel well and check for rust. You don’t want to see anything unusual, and any rust at all should be treated if you do end up buying. The last three are pretty standard, but let’s talk about them. Get a CarProof. It’s a small investment in making sure you’re not stepping into any big surprises. On some cars it’s clear that you’ll expect to see some damage, by these we mean cars that state so on the title as a “Rebuilt.” If the car is being sold road worthy, then you can be rest assured it went through more safety and alignment checks than a car that was never branded after an accident. They use precise machines to measure and check the alignment to make sure it’s exactly as it’s supposed to be. So if the CarProof shows a lot of damage on it and it’s not a Rebuilt you be better get some clarification and be even more cautious. The good news is that a Rebuilt vehicle is usually an amazing deal. That leaves us with 2 more important things, the first is the Safety Certification. This is needed if you want to get a license plate for your car, so you better not buy a car that doesn’t have it included, no matter what the seller tells you. You could end up spending a lot of money to get it certified. Last but not least, you need an E-Test, and be prepared to have one done every 2 years going forward. This test checks your emissions, and every car needs to have one, unless it’s a classic car ;) So now you know what to look for, next week we will tell you what to expect from your car now that you have one. In the meantime, remember that we are your go-to mechanics and excellent alternative to the dealer for your vehicles’ needs.