The Most Important Things to Check Before Buying Any Car
Buying a vehicle is one of the biggest purchases many people ever make, and entering into the process prepared makes everything a lot smoother. Whether it’s first-time wheels or an upgrade, knowing what to check out before handing over any cash puts buyers at an advantage.
Fortunately, all of these assessments are relatively basic, and none require mechanical prowess. A little pre-emptive work goes a long way, and those who spend the time necessary to do it right come away feeling good about the investment more often than not.
Start With the Vehicle History
An excellent first step that some buyers can take before even meeting the car is pulling a vehicle history report. This comprehensive document outlines the vehicle’s history, including previous owners, accidents, repairs and maintenance, and title information.
A clean title means the car hasn’t been written off as a total loss by an insurance company, which is exactly what most buyers want to see. Salvage or rebuilt titles aren’t always dealbreakers, but they do affect long term value and insurability, so it’s worth knowing upfront. Reputable dealerships make this information easy to access. For anyone browsing online inventory, listings that let you see details about individual vehicles before visiting in person are a great sign that a seller is being transparent and has nothing to hide.
In addition to title information, a solid report will cite odometer discrepancies or holes in maintenance records. These notes paint a much clearer picture of what a buyer is really getting, and that knowledge comes in handy for negotiations or simply deciding whether or not the vehicle is right for them.
Give the Exterior a Thorough Look
Once you arrive on a lot, the exterior of the vehicle should be thoroughly examined. Take your time walking around, appreciating it from every angle (most expertly done in daylight to catch imperfections).
Check for panel gaps (the spaces between doors, hoods and fenders); if they’re uneven from left to right, it’s possible that the car had body work done on one side after an accident. Painting is another concern; paint color inconsistency with the naked eye or with hands running along the panels feeling for rough spots. Overspray near the window seals and trimming could indicate sections that have been painted over at some point.
Take note of glass condition, too. Chips in windshields can grow over time, and replacing a windshield costs more than most expect. While checking tire conditions, unevenness across tire treads can indicate alignment or suspension problems beyond just needing new tires, and if these problems are noted ahead of time, it’s an opportunity to ask further questions before determining whether or not to move forward with the vehicle.
Check Under the Hood
People don’t need mechanical expertise to pop the hood. They just need a sense of awareness to help assess how well, or poorly, a vehicle has been taken care of over time.
Check on oil levels in the dipstick; oil should range from light golden brown to brown—not too dark or gritty—and if it is, it may be worth asking why there hasn’t been routine maintenance. Coolant levels should also be checked in the reservoir; any level below normal without reason means it may have coolant leaking somewhere down the line.
Finally, assess whether or not the engine compartment is dirty or clean; a dirty engine compartment shows a car that might not have been taken care of well. If it looks like there are fluids leaking from hoses or gaskets/seals, that’s an opportunity to have a trusted mechanic take a deeper look under the hood before agreeing to purchase.
Don’t Skip the Interior
The inside of a car gets used every day, and noting its condition, as well as any electronics that aren’t working, can provide major insight into how well this car was taken care of.
Test all electronic components: windows, mirrors, air conditioning, heat, infotainment and backing cameras/driver assist features (if applicable)—not by assuming they all work, but by going one by one. Replacement parts cost a pretty penny nowadays, so knowing you can roll down a window is reassuring.
Check seat and carpet conditions for wear and tear (a little is expected) as well as miscellaneous smells. Musty or other odd scents could indicate water getting where it should not be.
Take It for a Proper Test Drive
Don’t skip test driving a vehicle. It’s unnegotiable! The best way to understand performance is to get behind the wheel.
Drive at different speeds (to test acceleration) and see how well it drives on different road types; listen for any clanking, grinding or weird sounds. Brake distance should be responsive and require no force; steering wheel alignment should be straight (it shouldn’t pull if there’s no input from the driver).
Transmission shifting should occur smoothly without delay (no hesitation/clunking/rattling). If something feels off when putting it through its paces, feel comfortable asking the seller about it. A reliable seller will have answers and won’t rush through the driving process.
Review the Paperwork Carefully
Finally, before signing anything, ensure all paperwork is correct! The VIN on the title should match that of the vehicle itself, which can be found on a plaque toward the bottom of the driver’s side windshield.
Confirm any warranties and what might carry over with certified pre-owned vehicles—manufacturer warranty coverage adds peace of mind—before diving into dealer-specific documentation. Spending a few extra minutes here avoids headaches down the line.
Buying With Confidence
Mastering these steps takes something that could be overwhelmingly annoying and instead makes it totally feasible. Chances are that most issues present note themselves during thorough walkthroughs, and if they pass all tests, buyers can feel confident they’ve done their due diligence. That confidence going into a purchase makes it all worthwhile; if anything, an informed buyer sets themselves up in a better position with these steps to get there!