What To Look For When Buying A Used Automobile
When you are about to buy a used car, you should carefully look at the car inside and out. The first thing to look at is the oil and other liquids in the engine. Look at the color of the oil. If the oil is pretty dark or black, that is a sign that it needs to be changed. Look at the valve covers to see if there is oil residue around the edges of the covers.
If so, it is time for new valve cover gaskets to be installed. Look at the radiator fluid to see if the antifreeze is good. If it is discolored, it will need to be changed along with flushing of the cooling system. If the odometer is mechanical, look at the far left odometer wheel and see if there are any scratch marks. If scratch marks are present, it is possible that the mileage may have been tampered with.
Make sure that the same wheel is centered. If it is not lined up with the rest of the odometer wheels, that can be another sign of tampering. Fingerprints on the dial can indicate tampering. Look at the tires and see what type of wear is shown. An indication of poor alignment is when the front tire wear is more on the left or right side of the tire tread.
The way to test the alignment while driving is to drive at 30 and 60 miles per hour. If the car pulls to the right or left, the alignment can be out. This is most important on the front wheels. Look at the transmission fluid to see if it is full. This is done while engine is running.
Put the car in reverse and all the other gears. Put back in park and check the transmission dipstick. Look at the color of the fluid. If the color is a light pink/red color, it is usually good. If the color of the fluid is a dark red, it should be replaced along with the filter.
Look for any rust under the car along the frame. Look for rust on the exhaust. Look for rust inside the car under the carpets to see if the car is a flood car. Checking under the seats is also a good place to check for rust. That is a big indicator of a flood car. Last thing is to get a vehicle history report.
I am an auto technician. This is from my own expertise.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Darrell_Talbert/2464269
Used Cars
4 Smart Reasons To Buy A Used Car
Whether you're a first-time car buyer or a seasoned veteran there's always the tough decision of deciding if you should go with a new or pre-owned vehicle for your next purchase. New cars have the latest style, tech features, low interest rates, and that much-loved new car smell but are they really the best choice for you and your budget? We're going to overview some used car wisdom and give you 4 great reasons to go pre-owned on your next car.
1. They're Less Expensive
Let's get the obvious out of the way - in most cases you're going to save money to buy your car used and probably quite a bit of money at that. Once you buy a brand-new car and take it around the block it's no longer new and that value drops quickly. According to Consumer Reports your car new car on average will be worth 54% of the original purchase after just 3 years - that hurts!
The average cost of a used car is predictably well below that of a new car model and that's not the only space for savings. Logically you'll pay less taxes on a lower priced car and it's often more affordable to insure them as well. However, you should take note of the vehicle's mileage because the distance driven and the remaining warranty will likely impact your maintenance expenses.
2. Financing Rates & Terms
With low manufacturer financing rates and longer terms available dealers are able to show you some very attractive monthly payments on a new car but don't forget to do the math. Even a lower rate can really add up over a 7 or 8 year financing term and the growth of certified pre-owned ( CPO ) programs has really narrowed the gap. Not only do banks offer aggressively low used car rates but certified used cars offer even lower rates still plus the added bonus of additional warranty coverage and extensive vehicle inspections. The new car advantage is really starting to fade with exceptional used car financing options available.
3. Vehicle History Reports
Maybe your hesitation about buying a used car is that you just don't know where it's been or what you're getting and that's understandable, but with transparent reporting using tools like CarProof you get a very good idea of what you're dealing with. Vehicle history reports might not catch everything but you'll usually get some essential information like
The number of previous owners
Any accident or damage history with details
Previous registration status ( Personal, Lease, Taxi, Rental etc.. )
Mileage validation and maintenance records
Any accident or damage history with details
Previous registration status ( Personal, Lease, Taxi, Rental etc.. )
Mileage validation and maintenance records
4. Reliability
If you're thinking it might be a risk to buy a used car because it won't last long then you should do some research. According to several studies the average vehicle on the road today is over 10 years old and that numbers continues to rise as car manufacturers continue to improve their line-ups. Modern cars, trucks, and SUVs simply have a longer life-span than they used to and that's great news if you're in the market for a pre-owned vehicle.
There's a lot of things to like about the prospect of buying a brand-new car nobody else has driven yet but there's no doubt that pre-owned vehicles are the better value. Now that you've read our 4 smart reasons to buy a used car what will your next purchase be?
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Patrick_Leonard/2453235
How to Purchase a Used Automobile: Tips From the Auto Insurance Guys
These days, purchasing a new car requires a lot of money. For those looking for another option due to the financial output, shopping for a used car may be a good bet. Of course, a previously owned car, no matter how sleek and shiny may have hidden disadvantages.
Below find tips from some finely-tuned insurance professionals on how to go about the task of shopping for a used car.
8 Ways to Get a Good Deal on a Previously-Owned Car
• Decide How Much You Can Spend on the Purchase
Prior to shopping around for a good used car, do a personal financial tally. Then focus only on buys you can afford - whether via financing or full payment method.
Prior to shopping around for a good used car, do a personal financial tally. Then focus only on buys you can afford - whether via financing or full payment method.
• Choose the Right Kind of Vehicle
Unmarried people without kids do not need a big car. On the other side of the coin, married folks with children in tow could use a larger car. Recreational drivers, long-distance drivers and city or highway drivers have different needs as well. Assess your individual requirements, then shop for the car that matches them.
Unmarried people without kids do not need a big car. On the other side of the coin, married folks with children in tow could use a larger car. Recreational drivers, long-distance drivers and city or highway drivers have different needs as well. Assess your individual requirements, then shop for the car that matches them.
• Check Out Prices and Repair Frequency
Look online to determine what you should be paying for car makes and models according to year and usage. This search will also let you know what type of vehicles requires less maintenance work and what type has less mechanical headaches.
Look online to determine what you should be paying for car makes and models according to year and usage. This search will also let you know what type of vehicles requires less maintenance work and what type has less mechanical headaches.
• Learn about the Car's Past
Research a particular car's history by putting in the Vehicle Information Numbers. This will get you to a full report about past collisions, owners and even recorded maintenance and repair jobs.
Research a particular car's history by putting in the Vehicle Information Numbers. This will get you to a full report about past collisions, owners and even recorded maintenance and repair jobs.
• Test the Car out by Taking it for a Spin
Drive your prospective car purchase over a calculated route that includes hills, bumps, curves and highway maneuvering. This way, you'll get an idea how the overall driving ability is.
Drive your prospective car purchase over a calculated route that includes hills, bumps, curves and highway maneuvering. This way, you'll get an idea how the overall driving ability is.
• Get a Professional Mechanic's Opinion
Enlist your favorite mechanic in the decision by hiring him or her to inspect the car for surface problems that a layman like you may not be able to detect.
Enlist your favorite mechanic in the decision by hiring him or her to inspect the car for surface problems that a layman like you may not be able to detect.
• Use Your Price-Negotiating Skills
Utilize the knowledge you have gained from all your research on the car to negotiate a price that fairly reflects its true value.
Utilize the knowledge you have gained from all your research on the car to negotiate a price that fairly reflects its true value.
And Last But Surely Not Least
• Don't Forget About Auto Insurance
Before completing the buying process, speak to an experienced independent insurance agent about insurance for the vehicle. After binding the policy, sign the contract, pay, and you are good to go. No worries about the possibility of no coverage on the road to home!
Before completing the buying process, speak to an experienced independent insurance agent about insurance for the vehicle. After binding the policy, sign the contract, pay, and you are good to go. No worries about the possibility of no coverage on the road to home!
Now that you have a new (used) automobile take care of it with good maintenance practices and remember to keep driving safety a priority.
Happy driving!
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