How to Physically Inspect a Car Before Buying

by Govind Goswami I am passionate about taking

Buying a car is not an easy task especially if it is your first time. People tend to make a careful choice in bringing this dream come into reality. Whether you are thinking of purchasing a new car or buying used cars the rise in prices has made it a tough job. If you are a first timer in purchasing a car it’s better to educate yourself with every nitty gritty of car purchasing, especially if it’s a used car without jumping straight into the trap of the companies and the dealers.

First impression is very important for potential buyers and used car purchase calls for a thorough inspection before purchase. There are various ways for properly inspecting used cars. Let’s take a look at a few of them:

· Check in open, bright places- Often dealers might keep the used car in dingy, low lit areas to cover up any minor flaws that can meet the eye in the open. Hence even before you start inspection make sure that the car is parked in a bright and open area. Also one should carry some essentials like torch, calculators and measuring tapes which might come in handy during the inspection.

· Take a walk around the car- A quick scan of the car is the first step towards inspection of its exterior. Look for any dents, scratches, colour chipping etc which is a potential turn off.

· Look for rust- Rust and corrosion are the worst enemies of a car. Make sure to check for any rust settling in the car. This is not limited to just the visible parts. Check the underbody of the car to ensure all are in perfect state. If you find any corroding parts it’s a big NO for purchase.

· Look for modifications- If you are looking through a particular car variant you should be well acquainted with the car parts and its types. So if you find any aberrations its indicative of the fact that the car part has been changed due to a potential damage previously. Try and purchase cars which still has the original car parts intact.

· Check the tyres- Tyres can also tell you a lot about the car and the way it has been maintained. Carefully inspect the side wall for the year of manufacture printed on the tyre. Almost all manufacturers brand their tyres with the month and year of manufacture. You can compare the year of tyre manufacture to that of the car and get a better insight on the running as well.

· Check the engine- There are many things to go through during an engine check-up. One should check the oil levels, brake fluids, coolant level, clutch wire, hose pipe and stress belt before purchase.

· Check the interiors- People always like to opt for cleaner cars which have been well maintained. Any flaws like dirty carpets, torn seat covers, dirt, stained seats and broken car parts are a huge turn off and a complete no-no for the customer. It is very important for you to check every inch of the car to make sure the dealer is not using a temporary cover up for the sale. If any defects are detected you can ask for buffing the car, shampooing the carpets, degreasing the engine, and more.

· Further inspection and test drive- Also make sure that all the meters and indicators on the dashboard are in working condition by starting the car and taking it for a test drive.

One might not be too competent when it comes to proper inspection of cars especially if they are low on knowledge about it and in such a case it is better to take expert opinion. Always take a personal mechanic with yourself who has an elaborate knowledge about car parts prior to finalizing the deal.