What are the key areas to check when buying a used car?

1 Answers
MilesAnn
07/29/25 11:01pm
When purchasing a used car, it is necessary to check the vehicle's documents, including the motor vehicle registration certificate, motor vehicle license, and purchase tax payment certificate; check whether the vehicle has been involved in any accidents, as used cars carry certain risks; and inspect the vehicle's condition for issues such as oil leaks and aging parts. Checking the vehicle's documents: Whether the used car's documents are complete directly affects whether the transaction and transfer can proceed. Therefore, the first step is to verify if the vehicle's documents are complete. A used car should have the following documents: motor vehicle registration certificate, motor vehicle license, and purchase tax payment certificate. Checking if the vehicle has been in an accident: When inspecting the vehicle itself, the first thing to check is whether it has been in an accident. The best way to determine if a car is an accident vehicle is to examine the weld points, especially those on the front radiator frame and chassis beams, under the door seals, on the rear trunk panel, and on both sides of the chassis. A car produced in a factory is welded by robots, so the weld points will be uniform. In contrast, an accident vehicle is manually welded by a body repair technician, resulting in uneven and irregular weld points. Checking the vehicle's condition: A car can generally be divided into four major components: the engine, body, chassis, and electrical system. Modern engines are highly computerized, and any faults will trigger error codes. Therefore, the first step is to connect a diagnostic tool to check for error codes and data streams. Common minor issues include engine oil leaks and aging rubber hoses.
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