Buy used cars: check list before test drive

Most of us bought a used car at some point in our lives. How many times afterwards did you feel like you could have asked better questions?

Here is a list of things to check and ask about when buying a used car.

You have several steps to follow:

The phone call

1. What’s the condition of the car? Has it been repainted?
2. How long has the seller owned the car?
3. Was the car ever repaired? What was repaired?
4. Is the engine the original one?
5. Was it hit/scratched?

Interior of the car

1. Check seatbelts.
2. Check the seats: the tear and wear and if they work (changing position and everything).
3. Check the dashboard (it should have no cracks, it shouldn’t vibrate), check all the indicators (water, oil, speedometer a.s.o.), check the ventilation (cold air, hot air).
4. Check for rust under the carpets; check the top for water marks.
5. Check every switch, every button (lights, wipers, ventilation, heat a.s.o.).

Final questions

1. What kind of oil does it use?
2. How often should you change the oil?
3. What kind of fuel (what provider) does the owner use?
4. What is the cooling agent used?
5. What is the service used for repairs and where do the parts come from?

There is another part, of course: the test drive. Never buy a car without test driving it. And by test driving it I mean at least 15 minutes of driving around, accelerating, braking, going up and down the hills (provided that the brakes work ). We will cover the test drive in next week’s Tips article.