When you buy a used vehicle, it can be an effective way to get on the road without the hefty price tag that comes with a new car. But how can you know a pre-owned vehicle is everything it was said to be from an ad? We have prepared a checklist below that outlines what you should pay attention to when it is time to shop for a used car so you can make the purchase with peace of mind.
1. Vehicle history
Ask for as much information as possible about the history of the vehicle and then do your own research. You can run the VIN (vehicle identification number) through a paid service such as CARFAX, which will tell you if the car has been in an accident before, if there are any liens on it and if there has been a recall on the model.
2. Rust and paint damage
Take a little walk around the car and keep an eye out for rust spots or paint chips. Small, localized rust patches are not necessarily an automatic deal-breaker as they are relatively simple to fix. However, if there are sections of the vehicle where the metal is completely rusted through, you may want to rethink the purchase.
3. Upholstery
The seats and interior fabric in a vehicle can take a beating. Watch for tears, stains, and cracked leather on all the front and back seats. Repairing upholstery can be pricey.
4. Test drive
A key step when shopping for a used car in Calgary is the test drive. Be sure to test the car’s maneuverability, acceleration, braking, and suspension. While driving, get a feel for any blind spots the car might have.
5. Mechanic inspection
Your car dealer in Calgary should have a trusted mechanic who can perform an inspection on the car to determine if the vehicle has underlying issues or areas that may be potentially problematic in the future.
6. Frame issues
As you walk around the used car in Calgary, look for problems with the frame. Ask yourself if the vehicle is sitting level on the ground. There should not be anything dangling from the undercarriage. Also, keep a close eye on the bumpers and peek inside the trunk and hood for new bolts or warping that could indicate a recent accident.
7. Under the hood
An engine is the most critical component of any car. While the car is turned off, pop the hood and visually inspect the engine for:
- Fluid leaks
- Cracked hoses and belts
- Corrosion
Also, check the oil and transmission dipsticks for discolouration. The oil should be light brown, and the transmission fluid should be pink or red in colour.
8. Tire condition
You will want to assess the condition of your used car in Calgary’s tires. The tire thread should have even wear and match on all four. If there is uneven tread or extra wear on a few of the tires, this typically means poor alignment–this can be a symptom of steering, suspension or frame issues. If a car is poorly aligned, it will pull to the right or left when driving.
9. Mileage
On average, a car will rack up around 20,000 km every year. To determine if the vehicle you are looking at has low or high mileage when you visit your used car dealership in Calgary, simply divide the number on the odometer by the age of the vehicle. When a car has high mileage, it will have more wear and tear on its mechanical components.
10. Interior electronics
Let us be honest here; blasting the radio when your favourite song comes on is one of the many joys of owning a car. Play around with a few buttons and ensure the stereo, along with the other electronic components in the cockpit, are working correctly. Also, crank the air conditioning and heat to see if they are working as well.