Things to Watch For When You Purchase a Used Car

When the time comes to purchase a used car, it is important to do your research- but this article is not going to delve into the myriad pros and cons of shopping used vs. new. Instead, we cover some things you should be on the look out for when making your decision.

Doing Your Research

When searching for a car, most people rely on sites like Autotrader and CarMax.com. While these sites can provide you with some useful information, it is important to remember that the information on these web sites may be somewhat dated. Make sure that the price of the car has not gone up in price since you started your search. It is also important to check local classifieds, newspaper ads and public records to see if  used cars in noblesville you are interested in has been reported as stolen or involved in an accident.

The Car

Take a good look at the interior of the car. Keep your eye out for any rust (visible behind dust covers), and a missing headliner. If there is any damage to carpets, ceiling panels or floor mats, this could indicate hail damage, which can void your warranty if not repaired immediately. Check the seat belts to see if there is visible damage or excessive wear.

Check all of the lights, including the dimmer switches. These can easily be replaced with aftermarket parts, so this is not necessarily a deal breaker. However, any broken or cracked lenses might indicate bodily injury due to an accident and could indicate a faulty airbag system.

Check the condition of all windows, sunroof and moonroof. Any glass damage could be caused by an accident or hail damage which could affect your warranty. Check that all of the buttons work and don’t appear worn out or broken.

While you are kicking the tires, make sure to check for cracked rims and tire wear. A car with bald tires could mean that the wheel bearings are going, so it’s a good idea to take a look at them under the car.

Check the paint to make sure there is no heavy chipping or fading that might indicate rust underneath. This can easily be fixed with an aftermarket paint job, but if you are looking for true value in your purchase, then this could be a deal breaker.

Check all of the lights and turn on/off all of the features so that you can get an idea of how everything works and sounds.