| There are always plenty of used cars for sale, and if | | | | buying a new set of tires and factor that into the price |
| you are looking to buy a used car, one of the most | | | | you are willing to pay for the car. Also look for |
| important parts of the buying process is to visually | | | | excessive wear patterns on the front tires. If it |
| inspect it yourself to determine it's condition. Unless you | | | | appears that they are wearing much faster on one |
| are an auto mechanic, you probably won't be able to | | | | side of the tire, that may be an indication that the front |
| get a thorough picture of the mechanical shape of the | | | | end may need work and you should also factor that |
| car, but you can still learn a lot by doing a proper visual | | | | into the car price. |
| examination. | | | | Next go inside the car and continue your visual |
| Before you begin, it's a good practice to have a | | | | inspection by making notes about the condition of the |
| checklist with you that allows you to make notes | | | | interior. If you notice excessive wear on the seats and |
| about what you see as you go. This can be important, | | | | carpet, perhaps including stains, this is a good indication |
| especially if you are looking at more than car at a time. | | | | of the kind of care, or lack of it, that the former owner |
| It's easy to get confused and not be able to recall | | | | gave to the car. Keep in mind that even the best car |
| specific details about each car after you have seen | | | | can suffer from owner neglect and if that is the case |
| several in a row, so being organized about the | | | | here, it may be best to avoid this vehicle altogether. |
| process can help out a lot. | | | | Next try all of the power and climate controls on the |
| The outside is a good place to start, so look over the | | | | dash. Make sure that all of the windows go up and |
| car body very carefully. Look for any evidence that | | | | down as they should, that the power seats work in all |
| the car has been in an accident in the past. Does the | | | | directions, that the wipers, directional signals, horn, and |
| paint match on all body parts? Do you see an obvious | | | | electronics work. Then start the car and check that |
| paint line from a previous repair? This doesn't mean | | | | the air conditioning blows cold, and the heat is hot. |
| that it is not a good car, but you want to able to | | | | While it is running, listen for any noises that don't sound |
| determine if the car has been in an accident and how | | | | right. |
| extensive the damage was if you can. Look for dings | | | | By making this kind of visual inspection of each car |
| and car damage that may need repair, and especially | | | | that you seriously consider, you can determine in |
| for signs of rust as this can be very hard to eradicate | | | | advance whether you should now move to the next |
| once it has begun on a vehicle. | | | | step where you have an independent mechanic |
| Look over the tires. If they are pretty worn, plan on | | | | thoroughly inspect it mechanically for final consideration. |