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Any automotive expert would advise you to inspect used cars first before deciding to buy them. A pre-inspection is necessary before final negotiation before a buyer says “deal.” If you don’t know how to inspect a car or are not confident enough of your skills, it’s best to have a mechanic go with you to take a look at the vehicle. The inspection will also give you an idea whether the price you’ll be paying for a car is just right, or if you can negotiate for a lower price considering you may have to have a few stuff repaired. A good mechanic can easily spot a car that has been used by a smoker (the smell will tell), if it has frame damage, had some previous repair work that’s been poorly done, and if it has been flood-damaged. Why should these matter? Well, frame damage means that the car has gone through an accident—a pretty serious one, and unless it has been properly repaired, the wheels might not be properly aligned which may cause the vehicle to veer towards one side, leading to damage in the tires. If it has been repaired but the results were unsatisfactory, it could lead to further deterioration or future breakdown. Water damage could mean that the car has been submerged in water, and a flood-damaged car may have serious engine problems. To help mechanics discern if a vehicle is worth its price, a checklist of inspection points is usually used. It is a detailed list of car parts and functions that should be checked cosmetically and functionally. For the exterior inspection of used cars, one of the “checkpoints” is the windshield, which must be free of cracks. Another is that the body should be free of rust, dents, and scratches, and that the windshield wipers should be fully functional and the blades must be able to do their job in keeping water away from the windshield. If it doesn’t, it means it needs to be replaced. You can therefore ask for a lower price in your negotiation. Engine checks are more thorough, because a damaged engine is a big problem. The engine should be free of fluid or oil leaks; the oil filler neck should not be coated with thick, dark deposits. The oil dip stick therefore should be free of black oil. The battery terminals should be free of corrosion or any form of buildup. When inspecting used cars, the mechanic’s nose would also be able to tell whether there are unwanted odors coming from the engine when it’s running. The mechanic will also systematically check the tires, suspension, interiors, transmission, steering, brakes, and other miscellany such as whether the car manual is in the glove compartment. It may sound too thorough, but it’s really for your own good—you wouldn’t want to buy a lemon, or something that will break down on you during the first few weeks of ownership. You can also use the results of the inspection in negotiation—use the flaws to ask for a lower price. If the seller objects to the inspection outright, don’t bother to negotiate because that seller is obviously hiding something. Walk away and just look for another seller who says yes and even encourages you to inspect used cars.
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