what type of vehicle do you really want and need?

If you are in the market to purchase a car, but do not have the funds to buy one brand new off the showroom floor, buying a used car can be a great option to consider. When you go to buy a used car, you need to take your time and make sure that the car is in as good of condition as possible before buying it. If you are not a mechanic or do not know a mechanic, you can use the guide that follows to learn how to do more than just kick the tires when you go to look for your next used car.

Check the Engine

When many people go to look at a used car, they often glance under the hood, check to see how much trunk space the car has, and then climb in to take it for a test drive. This is not the best way to look over a car before buying it. The first thing you need to do is to look at the engine of the car. Look to see if any areas are corroded or if any parts have obviously been replaced. Parts that are cleaner than the rest of the engine are often replacement parts. Ask the dealer why they were replaced and ask for proof of what they are claiming. There will be a service history for the vehicle since it has entered the dealership.

Inspect the Interior

Check the interior for burn marks, scratches, or holes in the interior. Make sure that the air conditioning and heat work in the vehicle by actually turning them on and waiting a few minutes to see how well they work. Try all of the power windows and locks before taking the vehicle anywhere. Check the dashboard to see if there are any warning lights lit. If there are, get out of the car and walk away from it right away. You never want to buy a car that has a check engine light lit because there could be something seriously wrong with the car.

Inspect the Trunk

Also, look in the trunk of the vehicle and check to make sure that there is a spare tire in the car and a jack. There are some dealers who do not include those items in the cars that they sell. This will be an additional cost that you will have to pay later on down the road, so it is best to try to convince the dealer to include a spare tire and jack into the purchase of the car.

Taking the time to make sure that a car works as well as it possibly can before buying it will save you a lot of heartache in the future. Be sure to test drive the car to make sure that it runs smoothly and there are no issues that need to be addressed before you buy it. Keep these tips in mind next time you visit a dealership like Northlake Auto.