How to Check if a Car is New or Used?
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Methods to distinguish between new and used cars are as follows: 1. Inspect the exterior: 1. Check if the body paint color is consistent and if the surface curvature on both sides is smooth. View the paint reflection at a 30° to 45° angle to see if it is uniform. If there are discrepancies, the car has definitely been repaired, and the repair quality is poor. 2. Place the car on level ground and stand 3 to 5 meters directly in front of it to observe if the shoulder height is the same on both sides. If not, it indicates that the body frame has been repaired or the suspension and shock absorbers have not been properly fixed. 3. Observe if the gaps between the engine hood and the fenders are even; check if the door edge gaps are consistent; inspect if the gaps around the headlights and taillights are uniform and if their condition matches. 2. Inspect the interior: 1. Check if the seats and upholstery are clean and tidy, and if they have been replaced or disassembled. Verify if the built-in headrests and accessories are complete. Test all switches to ensure they function smoothly and without issues. If the dealer has refurbished the seats and interior, be extra cautious, as the car may have significant problems. 2. Before starting the car, turn the ignition key and observe if the dashboard lights display normally without any missing indicators. Most modern fuel-injected cars have a fault warning light feature. All indicator lights should illuminate when the key is turned. If any light fails to turn on, the owner may have intentionally removed the bulb to hide a fault. 3. Test drive: 1. When starting, check if the engine starts easily, based on your driving experience. If the starting sound is heavy, it may indicate issues with the starter motor, battery, or related mechanical parts. 2. After starting, first check if the steering wheel (power-assisted) has consistent resistance when turning left and right and if the turning angle is reasonable. When making a turn or U-turn, observe if the front wheels rub against the tires when the steering wheel is fully turned. If so, the car may have been in an accident, and tire rubbing against the wheel line can pose a safety hazard.
