Five things to check under the hood of vehicles

Five things to check under the hood of used vehicles near Wentzville, MO

With the current high price of buying a new vehicle, going for a used vehicle can be a great way to save on your dream vehicle. However, you should inspect a used vehicle thoroughly before buying one to avoid losing those cost savings to costly back-end repairs. At Johnny Londoff Autoplex, there are a few things you should keep tabs on when buying a used vehicle, from the interior and exterior condition to the mechanicals, VIN, and documents. Some key components to check under the hood of a used vehicle before purchasing it near Wentzville, MO, are discussed below.

Why You Need a Used Vehicle Pre-Sale Inspection

According to automobile experts, a qualified specialist must inspect a used vehicle before the final negotiation for purchase. This will help you know what is right or wrong with the vehicle you want to purchase. So, try to have an inspection performed by a mechanic you trust. Good inspections:

• Builds confidence in the vehicle’s value.
• Check trouble codes to reveal electrical and mechanical problems.
• Spots major problems like frame damage, poor previous repair work, and fire or flood damage.
• Revels hidden issues with engine and body.
• Confirms the brake pads and tire condition.
• Verifies if the vehicle equipment is functioning or not.

Five Things to Check Under the Hood of Used Vehicles

Battery

Examine the battery case and ensure it is free of oozing, cracks, and corrosion. Check the battery health with a voltmeter by connecting the voltmeter’s positive lead to the battery’s positive terminal and the negative voltmeter lead to the negative battery terminal. 12.4 to 12.7 volts reading on the voltmeter means the battery is in good condition. You can also check the battery health status via the system menu if your vehicle has the functionality.

Radiator

Inspect the vehicle’s radiator for fluid discoloration. If the coolant in the radiator is not red, pink, green, or orange, then the radiator is faulty. In addition, look out for coolant leaking, a defective head gasket, a malfunctioning water pump, failed thermostat, and a faulty radiator cooling fan.

Fluids

You should check many vehicle fluids, including the engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid, and power steering fluid. Of all the vehicle fluids, the engine oil is one of the most important to check before buying a used vehicle. A gritty, dark, or dirty engine oil may signal an engine problem.

Belts

The tips for inspecting belts include:

• Twisting the belt to look for missing chunks of the underside grooves, cracks, and separating layers.
• Looking at the belt’s sides for signs of glazing
• Inspecting the pulleys to look for rubber deposits’ buildup and worn spots
• Checking the tension

Hoses

Inspect the coolant and heater hoses for collapsed sections, nicks, cracks, or budges. Make sure the hoses are firm to avoid cracking and leaking.

Buy a Used Vehicle near Wentzville, MO

Check out our pre-owned vehicle inventory and schedule a test drive with Johnny Londoff Autoplex. We offer the most reliable used SUVs, trucks, vans, and cars for sale. Apply for financing to access the top finance offers. Contact us for the top deals on used vehicles.