| Everyone who is in the market to buy a used car has | | | | around the car and kick the tires a little. Seriously. |
| sat in a car at some point or another. This usually | | | | 5. How does the car look? If it looks like the car has |
| makes people comfortable with the interior of a car. | | | | been repainted, find out why. If the paint is covering up |
| Regardless of how comfortable you are, here are nine | | | | an old accident, you should know in case there are |
| things you need to check before you buy any used | | | | related mechanical issues. |
| car: | | | | 6. Smell the car. If you sniff under the seats, the floor |
| 1. If the car you are buying has seats that are | | | | mats, and around the carpet you will be able to detect |
| supposed to fold down (like the back seats), make | | | | if there is mildew or anything else that might be amiss. |
| sure that they actually fold down and fold back up into | | | | 7. Here's another simple one: make sure the horn |
| place. | | | | works. |
| 2. Look at the mileage on the odometer. Hopefully it | | | | 8. Check the gauges, the steering wheel, and your |
| matches what is being advertised. What is most | | | | view from the driver's seat. If this car doesn't work for |
| important is to ensure that you are comfortable with | | | | you, find out before you buy it.. |
| the odometer reading. | | | | 9. Look at the VIN (vehicle identification number) plates |
| 3. Shake and bounce the corners of the car. This is a | | | | and make sure they have not been altered. If they |
| good test of the shock absorbers. You can do this by | | | | look like they have been changed, do not buy the car. |
| walking around the car and pushing down on the | | | | There you have nine tips for inspecting the interior of a |
| corners. | | | | used car. Be sure to use them when you go used car |
| 4. It is so common that it is almost a cliche, but walk | | | | shopping! |