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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Check the outside
- Small dents here and there might not be the end of the world, but pay particular attention to how the panels and bodywork align.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Check the outside - There should be no gaps, or wavy panels. These could be signs the car has been in a crash and that the bodywork was poorly repaired.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
Bodywork - Look out for any signs of rust. Under the wheel arches is a common spot.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Bodywork - And so is the exhaust system, so take a good look at it.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Engine bay - It looks nice, but be wary of a very clean engine bay. It's usually a sign that it was cleaned for a reason.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Engine bay - Again, look at the panel joints and check for any signs of flaked paint and rust.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Engine - Look at everything, and check that there are no loose, broken parts, or leaks. You should also listen to it. The engine should sound smooth and even.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Engine - Check the oil level, as well as its color and consistency. How's the engine coolant level? Is there anything other than oil on the inside of the oil filler cap?
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Timing belt - Check whether or not the timing belt has been changed in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Exhaust - Check for blue smoke when you press the gas. It's usually a sign that the car engine is burning oil.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Exhaust - Black fume clouds may indicate a problem with the injectors, among other things. Be suspicious of any unreasonable amount of fume clouds coming out of the exhaust pipe.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Tires - Check out the tires for signs of use and sidewall damage. Tires should present even wear.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Tires - There's a minimum tread depth that is required by law for tires to circulate on the road. You can use a specific tool to test this or use a coin (there are plenty of tutorials online).
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Mileage - The odometer is the first thing to look for. Do the math. Does the mileage make sense for how old the car is?
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Mileage - Does the mileage match the wear and tear of the seats and the steering wheel ?
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Mileage - How about the pedals? Is the mileage too low for how worn the pedals are?
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Electrical components - Check if every interior electric component is working, including the stereo or infotainment system.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Electrical components - Do not overlook the basics like windows, lights, and electrically adjustable seats.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Air conditioning - Climate control is very important in a vehicle. Make sure that both the air conditioning and heating are working.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Brakes
- The car should break evenly and sharply. The break pedal should be responsive to the amount of pressure you apply to it.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Brakes - If you feel that the car becomes unstable when you break hard, then it's possible that the discs are warped.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Transmission - When operating a manual transmission, gears should change smoothly and the clutch shouldn't offer excessive resistance.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Transmission - For automatic gearboxes, look out for warning lights and any fluid leakages.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Steering wheel - Does it feel smooth? Can you hear any noises as you steer the wheel from side to side?
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Steering wheel - Is there any vibration? If so, it might be an indicator of suspension or steering rack problems.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Trunk - Check the car trunk. Does it have a spare tire and all the tools you need to change it?
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Documents - Check out if the owner has all the documents, including the user manual.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Documents - Ask to see the vehicle's service history. A car with a thorough service history is always a safer bet.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Keys
- You should always have two sets of keys. If the original owner only has one, take into account how much you'll have to spend to make a new set of keys.
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Check the outside
- Small dents here and there might not be the end of the world, but pay particular attention to how the panels and bodywork align.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Check the outside - There should be no gaps, or wavy panels. These could be signs the car has been in a crash and that the bodywork was poorly repaired.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
Bodywork - Look out for any signs of rust. Under the wheel arches is a common spot.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Bodywork - And so is the exhaust system, so take a good look at it.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Engine bay - It looks nice, but be wary of a very clean engine bay. It's usually a sign that it was cleaned for a reason.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Engine bay - Again, look at the panel joints and check for any signs of flaked paint and rust.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Engine - Look at everything, and check that there are no loose, broken parts, or leaks. You should also listen to it. The engine should sound smooth and even.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Engine - Check the oil level, as well as its color and consistency. How's the engine coolant level? Is there anything other than oil on the inside of the oil filler cap?
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Timing belt - Check whether or not the timing belt has been changed in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Exhaust - Check for blue smoke when you press the gas. It's usually a sign that the car engine is burning oil.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Exhaust - Black fume clouds may indicate a problem with the injectors, among other things. Be suspicious of any unreasonable amount of fume clouds coming out of the exhaust pipe.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Tires - Check out the tires for signs of use and sidewall damage. Tires should present even wear.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Tires - There's a minimum tread depth that is required by law for tires to circulate on the road. You can use a specific tool to test this or use a coin (there are plenty of tutorials online).
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Mileage - The odometer is the first thing to look for. Do the math. Does the mileage make sense for how old the car is?
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Mileage - Does the mileage match the wear and tear of the seats and the steering wheel ?
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Mileage - How about the pedals? Is the mileage too low for how worn the pedals are?
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Electrical components - Check if every interior electric component is working, including the stereo or infotainment system.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Electrical components - Do not overlook the basics like windows, lights, and electrically adjustable seats.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Air conditioning - Climate control is very important in a vehicle. Make sure that both the air conditioning and heating are working.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Brakes
- The car should break evenly and sharply. The break pedal should be responsive to the amount of pressure you apply to it.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Brakes - If you feel that the car becomes unstable when you break hard, then it's possible that the discs are warped.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Transmission - When operating a manual transmission, gears should change smoothly and the clutch shouldn't offer excessive resistance.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Transmission - For automatic gearboxes, look out for warning lights and any fluid leakages.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Steering wheel - Does it feel smooth? Can you hear any noises as you steer the wheel from side to side?
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Steering wheel - Is there any vibration? If so, it might be an indicator of suspension or steering rack problems.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Trunk - Check the car trunk. Does it have a spare tire and all the tools you need to change it?
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Documents - Check out if the owner has all the documents, including the user manual.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Documents - Ask to see the vehicle's service history. A car with a thorough service history is always a safer bet.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Keys
- You should always have two sets of keys. If the original owner only has one, take into account how much you'll have to spend to make a new set of keys.
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
What to look for when buying a used car
Read this before you buy a second-hand car
© Shutterstock
Are you looking to buy a second-hand car but are not quite sure what to look for when shopping around? If so, you're in the right place!
We have put together a comprehensive guide of all the basic things you should look for when buying a used car. There are things you probably already know, such as checking the mileage and looking for any signs of repairs, but there's a whole checklist you should go through before buying a second-hand vehicle.
Browse through the gallery and learn what to look for when buying a used car.
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