Inspect Your Teen's First (Used) Car for Safety Before They Get Behind the Wheel

One thing teenagers are always enthusiastic about is getting their first car. Unfortunately, however, they are usually far more interested in cool features like satellite radio and custom speakers than they are about the features that will work to keep them safe while driving their first car. That's where you come in: you need to check your teen's first car for safety issues whether you purchase it for them or they bought it with proceeds from their first job.

Sure, you no doubt face an argument if your teen chooses the vehicle and pays for even part of the down payment or full cost of his or her first car. But a little parent-teen tension is always preferable to an accident or crisis that can be averted, right?

With this in mind, here you will find a checklist of some of the top features and components on your teen's first car, especially when the vehicle is used, that you should check fully. If you aren't terribly experienced with a car beyond driving it yourself, you may want to take the car, truck, or SUV in to your most trusted mechanic or garage and ask them to perform a thorough inspection for you (although you may want to take this checklist along to be sure they cover everything).

Also, be aware that even if your state requires a full vehicle inspection to get a car registered, you probably don't want to depend on the very basic check done as part of this kind of inspection for safety. Some of these inspections aren't very robust and may not catch everything that could go wrong or are already faulty.

1. Brakes

Be sure that both the brakes and the brake lights work. Test them under various road conditions for responsiveness. If there is any sound coming from the brakes or any slowness in response, have the brake system thoroughly checked and, if needed, serviced. Also check the brake fluid and remind your teen to do the same.

2. Air bags