Purchasing A Used Vehicle: Know What To Check Out

Purchasing A Used Vehicle: Know What To Check Out

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When buying a used vehicle, it really can be said that it's a bit like a game of give and take. The way this game is played is that you "give" in terms of overall wear on the vehicle you're looking at, and then in return you get to "take' in your savings on the price when compared to a brand new car, truck, or van. Now what you want to avoid, is being a loser in this game by paying more than a vehicle is worth.

Perhaps you may have heard or read already that the first item on your check list should be to check the motor oil. Now while there is a lot of truth to this, you need to be aware of one thing. That is that all it takes is a quick oil change and it will of course look brand new because it is. So what I like to advise people to do is to make a list of things to look at that aren't so easy to alter or change.

So number one on the list is to check the mileage on the odometer but keep one thing in mind. That is that all it takes for a lot of vehicles is to simply purchase and install a new speedometer to bring the reading on it back to zero. Now you can take the vehicle to a mechanic to have the second odometer on the transmission checked if you want. But in the mean time, look at the pads on the pedals to see if they look overly worn if the odometer reading seems suspiciously low.

Next sit in the driver's seat and go over all the dashboard functions "one by one" to make sure that they all work correctly. Also keep in mind that if, say the AC doesn't work, some people will try to sell the vehicle in the winter, in the hopes buyers won't notice. It also works the other way around too, when folks will wait until summer to sell a vehicle with a broken heater. So make sure to check both of them, no matter what it's like outside.

Then work your way around the vehicles exterior, starting by checking each tire for worn bearings. Simply grab the top of the tire and wiggle it in and out. A little bit of "give" is acceptable but if you detect excessive "play" that can be an indicator that the wheel bearings are worn out. Next climb under the vehicle to check for large oil or fluid leaks around the motor and transmission. Also check out all the rubber boots and bushings to make sure that they're intact.

Then the final check, is the test drive and what you'll be checking for here, is problems with the motor, transmission and drive-line. Run an automatic transmission through all its functions. Step on the gas to stress it a bit to check for slippage. If it's a manual transmission listen for growling or whining, particularly at high RPMs. Now make sure to take the vehicle up to a high rate of speed because this is where you will "hear the beginnings" of future problems.

About the Author:
Want to find out more about Hyundai tucson 2011 reviews, then visit Ryan Carlson's site on how to choose the best automobile.



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