Buying a used vehicle comes with several advantages, not the least of which is saving money. But used vehicles aren’t a silver bullet for your wallet — and if you don’t check for problems before purchase, you could be leaving yourself vulnerable to expensive repairs.
If you want a car without unwanted – and possibly pricey – surprises, it is best to perform an extensive inspection both inside and outside the vehicle.
Let’s take a look at seven key areas you need to check in a used car inspection.
Inspecting A Used Car: 7 Tips For Your Used Car Check
What are the most important areas to check on a used car? And how do you know if you need a helping hand?
Below are seven places to evaluate during a used car check up.
1. Engine
The engine is essentially the beating heart of your vehicle, so it’s important to ensure it’s running as expected. Modern engines are sophisticated, some of which contain hundreds of parts — and hundreds of opportunities for something to go wrong.
2. Cooling System
Your vehicle’s engine produces considerable heat, and the cooling system ensures this heat is safely controlled. If the cooling system fails, however, your engine can overheat. Worse, it could cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to repair.
3. Electrical System
Modern vehicles have increasingly sophisticated electrical systems. Unfortunately, this means electrical problems can cause increasingly extensive damage to your vehicle. Electrical gremlins can also be difficult to isolate and repair, leading to considerable expense on your part.
4. Suspension
Your vehicle’s suspension can smooth your ride by cushioning the cabin from uneven or rough surfaces. Suspensions take a beating — literally — which means suspension components can eventually wear out or get damaged. If you don’t feel comfortable evaluating a car’s suspension, you can request a used car inspection from Lonsdale Auto Works.
5. Brakes
Brakes are wear parts, meaning they wear down over time and eventually need replacing. If the used car you’re looking at needs new brakes, keep in mind replacements can get expensive fast.
6. Tires
Tires are the most replaced wear part on vehicles.
Although tread depth is one way to assess how much life remains in a tire, there are other considerations to note. For example, tires may wear unevenly, leading to a shortened lifecycle. They may also suffer damage from potholes and curbs, leading to the tire failing unexpectedly.
7. Exterior And Interior
A careful inspection of the outside of a vehicle can reveal many things about its history. This includes inspecting the headlights and brake lights, checking panel alignment, and looking for rust, scratches, and dents.
You also need to inspect the inside of your vehicle, since it’s probably where you expect to spend the most amount of time. While interior inspections may not seem as important as other areas of the vehicle, make no mistake: careful interior inspections are a critical aspect of buying a used vehicle. Keep an eye out for broken gauges or poorly functioning AC or heat, which could dramatically impact the vehicle’s drivability and your comfort as well.
Schedule A Used Car Inspection With Lonsdale Auto Works
Knowing what to look for when buying a used car requires you to understand many different vehicle systems. This can be daunting while in the vehicle buying process, which is already stressful enough on its own.
You don’t want to put your hard-earned money into a vehicle that may eventually turn into a money pit. Thankfully, you can turn to the team at Lonsdale Auto Works to perform a used car inspection on your behalf.
Lonsdale Auto Works has decades of experience inspecting used vehicles and running diagnostics. We want to ensure your selection is everything you want it to be, and shows no damages you’re not equipped to handle.
We can perform a skilled, multipoint inspection so you can make an informed decision before signing any paperwork. All you have to do is give us a call at (507) 744-3304 to get started.
Rather drop by our office instead? Visit our auto shop at 616 Industrial Drive SE, Lonsdale MN, 55046.