Be Your Own Vehicle Inspector: What to Look for Before You Buy that Used Car

Take Your Time, Do Your Research, and Always Ask Questions

With the high price of new cars, it comes as no surprise that used vehicles can cost enough to cause sticker shock every bit as severe as their newer cousins. Yet you, as a buyer, have a few more protections when you purchase new that you don't always have when you buy a used car. To survive the experience and insure that the used car you buy is worth your time and money, you need to give that vehicle a strong inspection before you ever agree on a price.

Obviously, if you have a mechanic you trust and admire, it may be well worth your time to ask to have this mechanic check out the vehicle before you buy it. Yet this may not always be possible; garages often have appointments booked solid and it can be difficult to pull a mechanic from his job to have him or her inspect your purchase at a dealer or in someone's driveway. Few sellers are willing to wait for three weeks or more to give you time to get their car checked out and you may lose any deposit you place if you wait so long another buyer steps in.

Sometimes, you will have to step up to the plate and do the best job you can to assess the used vehicle to determine if it's worth the price asked and if it's suitable for the kind of transportation needs you have. While you may not be a professional mechanic, there are a number of aspects of vehicle quality you can assess on your own even without expert knowledge.

First, before you even go to check out a used car advertised for sale, do your homework. Let's say you call about an ad for a mint condition 2000 Toyota Camry and make an appointment to see it the next day. If you happen to know someone who owns a Camry, call that person to pick his or her brain about any problems experienced with that make and model of car. Next, call your regular mechanic and ask the same question. Jot down notes to take with you the next day. You can extend your research by going online and using a Web search engine to try to find out more information about that type of vehicle.