What are the considerations when buying a used car?

[VonArya]

Key considerations when purchasing a used car are as follows: 1. Choose reputable dealers: Always buy from authorized dealers to ensure effective after-sales support if issues arise; also be cautious with online used car platforms—while they can be trusted, don't rely on them entirely. 2. Pay attention to mileage: This mainly applies to decommissioned commercial vehicles, where not only the mileage but also the remaining service life is a concern. Operating vehicles are mandatorily scrapped after eight years, leaving you with only one or two years of usage at most. 3. How to select a car: After evaluating purchasing channels, consider these steps: First, browse websites to identify preferred models, then compare prices online (for reference only); once selected, visit physical used car markets to inspect potential vehicles and check for desired models.

[DiMolly]

I recently helped a friend pick out a used car and learned a lot. It's crucial to crawl under the car to check if the chassis has any deformation from bottoming out—last time I saw a car with a rusted-through chassis, it was terrifying. Pull the seatbelt all the way out to check for water stains, lift the carpet to sniff for mold—flood-damaged cars must be avoided. Bring a magnet to test the body; areas with too much filler definitely indicate a major accident. Also, test the gearshift feel in every gear, and listen for any piston slap (ticking sound) during a cold start. Finally, always check the 4S maintenance records—my friend saved 30,000 yuan by spotting an odometer rollback. When transferring ownership, verify the vehicle registration (big green book) and VIN to avoid buying a mortgaged car like my neighbor did—he regretted it too late.

[Eli]

As someone who has owned five used cars, I want to remind everyone to focus on three key points. Be alert if there are any signs of screw tampering in the engine compartment—cars that have undergone major repairs perform much worse. Turn the air conditioning to maximum and smell the vents—the musty odor of flood-damaged cars can't be hidden. If the tire production date is later than the car's manufacturing date, ask for the reason behind the replacement. Checking insurance records is more reliable than inspecting the paint—never touch a car with a history of major claims. The aging level of the chassis rubber components directly determines future maintenance costs, so it's advisable to have a seasoned mechanic inspect it on a lift. The contract must clearly state that the car is free from accidents and flood damage, otherwise, defending your rights will be too passive.

[DeArcher]

Just helped my cousin inspect a car last week, and there are some details beginners often miss. After starting, shift to D gear and hold the brake for two minutes—the engine shouldn’t shake to be considered normal. Repeatedly turn the steering wheel to listen for any abnormal noises from the steering gear; the repair cost could be enough to buy a new phone. Peel back the window seals to check the weld spots—factory welds are evenly spaced like fish scales. Using an OBD scanner to read the transmission mileage is the most accurate method; I’ve seen shady cars with odometers rolled back by 80,000 km. Rust on seat brackets and sand in the cigarette lighter are solid evidence of flood damage. Remember to test all electronic devices—repairing the center screen could cost half a year’s worth of fuel. Most importantly, make the seller sign a no-major-accident pledge.

[DiEverett]

Pitfalls observed over a decade in auto repair shared with you: Always prefer vehicles with original factory glass - replaced windshields may indicate rollover history. Check under the oil cap for emulsion presence, which signals blown head gasket requiring overhaul. Firmly press all four shock absorbers - if they rebound more than twice, replacement is needed. Smell the dipstick for gasoline odor - excessively rich air-fuel mixture severely damages catalytic converters. When checking VIN for accident history, verify it hasn't been tampered with. Severe rust on steering columns or pedals indicates flood damage, which is more hazardous than collision repairs. Always verify traffic violation records before title transfer - a colleague had to pay the previous owner's ¥5,000 fines to complete the process.