When shopping for a used car, keep the following rule in mind: "Always beware the first impression." Typically the dealer or owner of the used vehicle has gone to considerable lengths to make it look as clean and dazzling as possible. You'll need to take a careful look at a number of indicators to make certain that the eye-catching appearance goes deeper than a coat of cheap wax and some tire dressing. A close look at some of the following factors may influence your purchase decision, or may at least give you added bargaining power when it's time to negotiate price.
- Check the condition of the paint over the entire body of the vehicle. Look for oxidation or dulling of color. Is the paint cracked or peeling? Does the clear coat appear yellowed or cracked? Look for chips, dings and scratches. Check for scratches or chips, particularly around the front grill, along side doors and around keyholes.
- Look for evidence of body work and repainting. Check to see whether any of the body panels have a color that is slightly mismatched from that of the others (figure A). This would indicate that the panel has been painted (possibly because of a wreck), and that the repaint job was possibly not of the highest quality. Look for signs of exterior parts having been taped for spraying. Look for visible overspray. Look for body panels that don't line up properly. If there are indications that the vehicle has been in a serious accident, you may want to take it to a frame shop, where they can expertly assess the extent of the repairs.
- Bend down and look down the entire length of the vehicle (figure B) on both sides. Rippling, waffling or unevenness in the body surface is typically seen if body filler has been used during a body repair.
- Tip: If you suspect work has been done using body filler on the side of the vehicle, perform the "magnet test." Place a magnet over a piece of cloth and gently drag it along the suspect area. If bondo or a similar filler has been used, the magnet will fall off as it's dragged over that spot (figure C).
- Note: This test obviously cannot be used if you are dealing with fiberglass body-parts such as on Corvettes, Saturns, Fieros, etc.
- Look carefully for any evidence of rust. Aside from the visible exterior, check along door jambs and especially along the underside of the vehicle and frame.
- Check the windshield and all windows for cracks.
- Check the weather stripping around the front and rear windshields as well as the passenger windows. Note whether there are any cracks or visible dry rot in the rubber. If the vehicle has a sunroof, pay especially close attention to rubber gasket surrounding it (figure D). If cracks are visible in any of the rubber seals, check the adjacent area inside the vehicle for signs that water has leaked in. In fact, it's a good idea to spray water on the vehicle with a hose specifically to check for leaks.
- Make certain that the trunk lock and latch mechanisms are working as well as the trunk-lifts (figure E). If the vehicle is a hatchback or has a lift-gate, check their mechanisms as well.
- Check all decorative rubber trim and body side molding. Check around the door handles and locks for pitting, scratches or rust. If there is pinstriping or custom painting, make certain that it is even and that it has not begun to peel (figure F).
- Check the covers and surrounding trim on headlamps, taillights, brake lights and turn signals.
- Check the condition of the bumpers -- especially the front bumper -- for scratches, scuffs and chips. Check the grill and air dam.
- Check the condition of the wheels and hubcaps.
- Check the condition of the tires and the amount of tread wear (figure G). Uneven tread wear could indicate that the vehicle is in need of alignment. Check for tears in the rubber, damaged sidewalls, etc.
RESOURCES :
Buying a Car for Dummies
ISBN: 0764550918
Author: Deanna Sclar
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Hungry Minds, Inc.
Buying a Car Online for Dummies
ISBN: 0764506978
Author: Pierre Bourque and Richard Mansfield
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Hungry Minds, Inc.
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