Used Car Buyer's Checklist

✔ Do Your Research The first thing you should do, even before searching, is think about the specific needs you want your vehicle to meet. When you know which type of vehicle you need, you’ll know which inspection items are important for you to look for. It’s also good to research the problems common to the models you’re interested in. It’s just as valuable to know the shortcomings of a vehicle as it is to know its strong points, and this also allows you to make more thorough comparisons between models.

✔ Exterior Checks Walk around the vehicle and take note of any scratches, dents or rust. Check that the body panels line up evenly. The doors, hood and trunk should easily open and close. The tires should all be the same brand and in good condition (no cracks, bulges, scuffing or bad tread). It’s easy to overlook, especially in the daytime, but don’t forget to check that all the lights work. They shouldn’t have any cracks or damages, and should have no signs of moisture.

✔ Interior Checks One important thing you should notice right away when inspecting the interior is whether there is an odor. If the car smells like mold, must or mildew, it could indicate a water leak or flood damage. Examine the seats for signs of wear and tear and make sure they work properly. It’s a good idea to adjust the driver’s seat into a comfortable position for you. When that’s done, you can sit and test the controls and instruments as if you were already driving the vehicle. It’s also important to look at the inside of the roof for stains or signs of water leakage around the windows or sunroof.

✔ Under the Hood When looking under the hood, inspect the belts, hoses, fluids, oil and transmission fluid. Each should be in the correct place or at its proper level, and there shouldn’t be any cracks, leaks or water. Remember to look underneath the vehicle for signs of leaking.

✔ The Test-Drive A crucial moment of your inspection is the test-drive, since it lets you see the vehicle in action. Pay attention to how long it takes for the engine to start, and listen for odd noises. You should drive on different roads, such as around a city and along a short stretch of highway, so that you can see how the vehicle performs at different speeds. Check that the transmission shifts smoothly and that the brakes have good stopping power without pulling the vehicle to either side.

✔ Paperwork and Mechanic's Inspection Before making your purchase official, you need to get the vehicle identification number (VIN) and run a Vehicle History Report. Most dealers will provide a report on all of their used vehicles. You also should have a trusted repair shop fully inspect the vehicle before closing the deal.