What to Ask When Buying a Used Car?
4 Answers
When purchasing a used car, attention should be paid to aspects such as the car's performance, structure, documentation, and appearance. The main considerations are as follows: Performance: Listen for any abnormal sounds, start the car, and listen to the engine noise. Structure: Check the chassis and frame for any deformation. After an accident, the frame and chassis are difficult to repair. Documentation: Ensure all necessary documents like the registration certificate, vehicle license, and purchase tax are in order. Always take a test drive, whether buying a new or used car. Appearance: Inspect all corners and parts of the car for repainting, and check for wear on the tires, headlights, and bumper.
When buying a used car, don’t just focus on the exterior—ask the owner three crucial things. First, check the maintenance records thoroughly; a quick scan on an app will reveal if it’s had major repairs. Second, look at the number of ownership transfers on the green title—avoid cars with more than three transfers. Third, get down and inspect the undercarriage for rust or oil leaks, as repairs can drain your wallet. Bring a car-savvy friend to listen for abnormal engine noises during cold starts and check if the transmission shifts smoothly. Dealers often claim 'one-owner lady-driven car,' but records may show odometer tampering—steer clear of such traps.
Lessons learned from helping my bestie pick a used car: Always ask if the insurance claim history is available—minor scratches are fine, but never buy a car with deployed airbags. Check if all window manufacturing dates match; a discrepancy of over six months suggests replaced glass. Get close and sniff the seat seams—musty odor is a dead giveaway for flood damage. Test the AC cooling speed—repairing the evaporator requires dismantling the entire dashboard. Inspect child seat anchor points for cracks—a critical flaw for families. During the test drive, turn off AC and music, roll down windows to listen for wheel bearing hum—replacing them could cost half a month's salary.
Buying a used performance car? Ask tough questions: Demand to remove the engine cover to check for valve cover oil leaks—a common issue with German cars. Must scan OBD for deleted fault codes, especially oxygen sensor and catalytic converter codes. Performance tires with tread depth below 3mm mean replacement is due, costing 6-7k for all four. Avoid cars with tuned ECUs—engine failure risk doubles. Bring a magnet to check fender edges; areas with bodywork won’t stick. The toughest move? Pull a spark plug to inspect carbon buildup—black piston tops indicate frequent use of low-quality fuel.
