One of the reasons you may want to get a used car is that they are more affordable than new models. However, if you buy a car that has a lot of things wrong with it, you'll end up spending a lot more money than you planned. That's why it's important to do what you can to to find trouble before you buy a car. Here are ways to check for various problems when considering a particular car.
Put the Car in Neutral
One thing you'll want to do when thinking about buying any car is to make sure that there isn't a problem with the transmission, as that could be a very expensive repair job. A quick way to get an idea of whether a car's transmission is in trouble is to put the car in neutral gear. If you hear knocking or clunking sounds, there very well could be a transmission issue. You shouldn't hear anything at all.
Bring Tires to the Test Drive
The rear suspension on some used cars needs to be fixed after miles on the road. To help you figure out the condition of the rear suspension in a used car, bring some tires or a heavy duffel bag along for your test drive. Dump the items in the trunk, and then drive the car for a bit. If there are rear suspension issues, you'll hear sounds coming from the back of the car, particularly when you go over bumps.
Glance at Door Jambs
If a car has been repainted due to damage or any other reason, the current owner might not tell you. A quick way to find out whether the car has its original color is to glance at the door jambs when the door is open. Many times, when a car is repainted, it is only done on the exterior; the door jambs typically give away the original color of the car. While a repainted car doesn't necessarily mean that there is a problem with the car, if you notice different color door jambs, it's vital that you ask additional questions to ensure that the car wasn't in an accident or had other problems.
Make sure to use what you've learned in this article so you can look for things that could mean car trouble in the future. To avoid problems, you might want to visit a reputable car dealer like Milton Ruben Toyota in the area who can help you find a suitable used vehicle.
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