Here is How to Really Inspect a Used Vehicle

Here is How to Really Inspect a Used Car near St Charles, MO

When searching for a used car, the biggest problem you can face at the seller’s place or a dealership is how to ensure that you do not drive a faulty vehicle. This is why you need a trusted mechanic to check out the pre-owned vehicle you want to buy. However, we at Johnny Londoff Autoplex believe you can thoroughly and more conveniently inspect a used car near St. Charles, MO, without much mechanical knowledge before you seek professional help. Below are some easy steps to help you spot potential red flags when shopping for a used car.

Check the Car’s Background History

Even though it will cost you some money, one of the top things you can check yourself to ensure you are going for a car worth buying is the car’s background history. You can do it through CarFax.com and other competitors like Bumper.com, VINcheckup.com, and Autocheck.com. Enter the car’s 17-character vehicle identification number to get the odometer readings and a history of when and where the vehicle has been sold and registered. You can also get the maintenance history and have repairs done.

Ask to See the Title

Check out the title and ensure the car’s VIN matches the VIN on the label. If the VIN is different, it may mean the vehicle is stolen. In addition, if the car has been rebuilt or has broken body panels, it may have suffered heavy body damage.

Look For Rust and Telltale Damage Repairs

Structural damages are not easy to fix, so it is crucial to ensure the used car does not have bad rust or holes in the frame or subframes. Make sure the bumpers are level and the paints match by looking straight at all sides. In addition, check for waves in the bodywork by looking down at each side of the car. You can examine the vehicle for cracked glass and body fillers by placing a magnet against it. Anything bad could be a deal breaker.

Check Under the Hood

Look for the transmission dipstick and pull it if the car has one. The fluid should not have a burnt smell, and the color must be reddish or pink, not brown. Also, the coolant in the coolant overflow tank should be orange or green, not rusty or whitish. In addition, you should check out the engine oil by pulling the oil dipstick, feeling the oil at the bottom for grit, and checking for a gray foamy substance or water. If anything looks suspicious and out of the norm or ordinary, you should not consider the vehicle.

Fire It Up

Get inside by opening all the doors and ensuring they open and close without difficulty. Then turn on the ignition without starting the engine to illuminate the warning light on the dash. Next, start the engine and see if the red and yellow warning lights go out. If the light doesn’t go out, it means there is a problem that can be expensive to fix. Next, drive the car and see if the engine runs poorly, the transmission shifts erratically, the brakes are spongy, the steering is loose, the noises are odd, and see if there is any clicking during tight turns. These issues can be engine and transmission problems.

Check Other Important Features

Check and make sure the turn signals, power mirrors and seats, wipers, radio, power door locks, air conditioning, power windows, and lights operate correctly. Also, check for fluid leaks under the car and the smoke from the exhaust while the engine is still running. White, black, or blue smoke after the engine has warmed up indicates an engine problem.

Buy a Used Car at Johnny Londoff Autoplex

Find the most reliable used cars, SUVs, trucks, and vans at our used vehicle dealerships in Missouri. You can trade-in your vehicle, find out the value of your trade, apply for financing and take advantage of the current special offers. Browse our pre-owned inventory, including the used cars under $10,000.