5 Things You Should Always Check Before Purchasing A Used Car

If you’re thinking about purchasing a car, you basically have two major options at your disposal: either buy a new one or opt for a used vehicle. For reasons that can range from minimizing insurance costs to getting more bang for your back, sometimes the later option is by far the best choice. But buying a used car is a major life decision that shouldn’t be treated lightly, especially if this is your first time doing it. So let’s take a closer look at the five essential things you need to check before purchasing a used vehicle:

1. The car’s exterior
The exterior part of a vehicle is the first thing you’ll see, so it makes sense to start your check-up by examining its paint job and looking for any signs of rust or scratches. Afterwards, check the car’s tires and see if they’re properly aligned. Then, move to the back of the car and check to see if its exhaust system shows any signs of rust or leakage.

2. Behind the hood
When you’re done inspecting the car’s exterior, it’s time to see what’s under the hood. The engine in particular should present no signs of corrosion, while the belts should not have any cracks on them. Afterwards proceed to remove the oil filler cap and check for foam residue on the inside. If you see anything like that, it’s best to forget about that particular car. Then pull the transmission dipstick and remember to be wary of any vehicle that emanates a burnt smell.

3. The car’s interior
If all is well and good under the car’s hood, then it’s time to take a look inside. The quality of a car’s interior is often a matter of taste as well as functionality, but any vehicle worth its salt has to have quality seats and functioning command buttons on the car’s dashboard. If the car has air-conditioning, now would be the perfect time to test this feature out and see if the car’s interior becomes appropriately cool in a timely fashion.

4. Test drive time
Next up, it’s time to take this baby on the road. For many people, a car’s feel and responsiveness to human input is what ultimately seals the deal. Begin by checking if the breaks work properly above, since they’re absolutely essential to your safety, but be sure not to gloss over other aspects such as engine noise, trepidation levels and steering wheel sensitivity.

5. The car’s documentation
Before you sign that dotted line and jump into your brand new car, don’t forget to take a look at the vehicle’s service history, which should give you information on all its previous issues and repairs. In cases where home repairs were performed, ask for proof of proper car maintenance. Finally, make sure the car you’re about to buy has all the necessary documentation required by the laws of the area you live in.

That concludes our quick rundown of the five things anyone should check before buying a used car. Of course, it always helps to buy your used vehicles from a reputable provider like Australia’s Zooper Cars. The used car industry is unfortunately filled with potential scammers, so take all the necessary precautions to ensure that you won’t end up regretting your choice later on.