What should be checked when buying a used car

Push down on each corner. If the shock absorbers are in good shape, the car should rebound just once, not bounce up and down. Grab the top of each front tire and tug it back and forth. If you feel play in it or hear a clunking sound, the wheel bearings or suspension joints may be shot.

Lights and lenses: Have a friend confirm that all lights are working. Make sure all light lenses and reflectors are intact and not cracked, fogged with moisture, or missing.

Tires: You can tell a lot from the tires. A car with less than, say, 20, miles should probably still have its original tires. Be wary of a low-mileage car with new tires, and check that all four tires are the same. If there are different branded tires on the car, ask why they have been replaced.

Treadwear should be even across the width of the tread, and the same on the tires on the left and right sides of the car. Ask whether the tires have been regularly rotated. If not, the wear is usually more severe on the drive wheels.

Aggressive drivers tend to put heavy wear on the outside shoulder of the front tires, at the edge of the sidewall. Assume the car has been driven hard if that area shows heavier wear. Tires that have been driven while overinflated tend to wear more in the middle than on the sides. Chronically underinflated tires show more wear on the sides.

Check the tread depth with a tread-depth tool—available at auto-parts stores—or a quarter. If you can see the top of his head, the tire should be replaced.

Examine the sidewalls for scuffing, cracks, or bulges, and look for dents or cracks on each wheel. Be sure to check that the spare is in good shape and the proper jack and lug wrench are present. Odor: When you first open the car door, sniff the interior. A musty, moldy, or mildewy smell could indicate water leaks. Remove the floor mats and check for wet spots on the carpet. An acrid smell may indicate that the car was used by a smoker.

Check the lighter and ashtray if so equipped for evidence. Some odors, such as mold and smoke, can be very hard to get rid of. Try all the seat adjustments to make sure that they work properly and that you can find a good driving position. Pedals: The rubber on the brake, clutch, and gas pedals gives an indication of use. Instruments and controls: Turn on the ignition switch without starting the engine. You should make sure all the warning lights—including the check-engine light—illuminate for a few seconds and go off when you start the engine.

Note whether the engine is hard to start when cold and if it idles smoothly. Then try out every switch, button, and lever. With the engine running, turn on the heater full blast to see how hot it gets, and how quickly. Edit location. Select a product to get a quote. Register new account Pay your bill. Get your ID cards. Video Transcript. Get a feel for how the car runs. Any weird engine noises?

How are the brakes? Park the car and let it idle for 30 seconds. Then pull forward and see if anything leaked. Use your internet sleuthing skills to find consumer reviews of the make and model. While you're online, compare prices from several sources. Getting an inspection from a mechanic before you buy can be well worth the price. Certified pre-owned cars may offer an extra level of quality assurance. If the car has any skeletons in its closet, a vehicle history report may help you find them.

Overall, don't be too quick to pull the trigger. Steer to allstate. Quality Auto Coverage Starts Here. Get a quote Find an agent. Our pages are filled with helpful tips and information about the topics that most of us face in our everyday lives.

We focus on safety and maintenance issues with regard to your home, auto, apartment, motorcycle, boat, small business, finances and more. Please recognize that a particular tip may not be effective in every circumstance and that taking preventive measures cannot guarantee any outcome.

We encourage you to use your own good judgment about what's appropriate for you and your property and always consider safety. Connect With Us. Low or high mileage not only affects the value of the car at purchase and sale but also impacts how much you will need to spend servicing and maintaining it, which could be something to consider before you buy.

Low mileage cars are any vehicles with fewer than 60, miles after five years. Anything above 70, is considered high-mileage. If you are viewing a car which has high mileage, this is a good negotiation point for the price.

Although you can save a lot of money upfront by buying a higher mileage car, you may need to spend the money you save on repairs, so make sure to check the car carefully and find out the reason for selling before you make a purchase.

Another important area to check when buying a used car is under the bonnet. There should be no holes or leaks in the bonnet or leaks when the engine is running. To check the shock absorbers, push down into the bonnet and the release. You should make sure that the oil, brake fluid, and power steering are all up to standard and that the coolant levels are in good condition.

When it comes to engine health, one of the quickest ways to catch hidden faults is to cold start the car. It should sound smooth and stable with no lulls in power. Check under the hood for signs of damage, dents or rust — they are signs of a poorly maintained car or a prior damaged one.

Here is a fairly exhaustive list of things by theautomotiveIndia. The form should be signed by both the previous owner and you. If the car is registered in a different jurisdiction from yours, then an NOC from that jurisdiction's RTO will help speed the process.

This registers the transaction. After submission, the local RTO initiates the transfer. You will receive a receipt within days and the name-changed RC copy by the 40thth day. In the interim, copies of these forms or the receipt work as proof of transaction.

Most important, getting the second hand car insurance policy transferred in your name, or buying a new one altogether. Details in the next section.

If buying a second hand car bought by the previous owner on finance, ensure that you get the original invoice of the car. Service book to check the history of service records Road tax receipts with the last updated payment before you buy second hand car.

It's as important to have a valid insurance policy copy in your name as it is to get the registration transferred. If the RC is registered in your name and the policy is still under the previous owner's, then the insurance policy stands nullified! So, it's very important to transfer the insurance in your name after buying second hand car.

In case you want to transfer the second hand car insurance, it has to be a process parallel to the transfer of ownership. Many second hand car sellers, as well as buyers, are unaware of this key point and assume that the previous owner's policy is valid. As for the process, you just need to contact the insurance company, an agent of the company or a broker like us who can help you with the process.

We've had a couple of cases where the previous owner didn't hold a valid car insurance. Once the customer had the RC transferred to his name after the purchase, it is mandatory to apply for a new car insurance policy - there is no two ways about it! Just log on to Coverfox.