Don’t be fooled by a deal that looks too good to be true … A used car might be hiding problems!
Photo: Andrew Bone via Creative Commons 2.0
Buying a previously owned car is a great way to get the model you want at a price you can afford. Plenty of vehicles wind up on used car lots or front yards with barely any miles on them — yet priced at must-sell deals.
However, there’s truth in the proverb that you should never judge a book by its cover. Just because a car looks fine doesn’t mean it actually is. There could be serious problems lurking beneath the surface! Before you buy a vehicle that someone else has owned, make sure it doesn’t have any of these commonly missed problems on used cars.
Worried About Hidden Problems When Buying a Used Car? Here is some expert advice to follow when shopping for a used car…
Problems with the powertrain
Just because the car drives fine in a 10-minute test loop around the neighborhood doesn’t mean there aren’t any problems under the hood. Many issues won’t reveal themselves until the car is traveling at highway speeds or has been running for over an hour. Don’t limit yourself to a short test drive; make sure you’ve driven the used car for long enough in intense conditions to confirm it operates properly.
Problems with the HVAC
If you’re buying a used car during the summer, you checked the air conditioning, but you may not have checked the heating or defrost functions. On the flip side, when shopping in wintertime, you checked the heater but probably didn’t run the air conditioning. Make sure you check all HVAC system settings thoroughly (even in off-seasons) to ensure they aren’t hiding problems.
How Do You Know If You’re Getting a Good Deal on a Used Car? These are the signs of a fair price…
Photo: Erica Zabowski via Creative Commons 2.0
Problems with the wheels
Wheels don’t just go round and round; they also stop, turn, and bounce. Don’t just stick to the straight, flat roads when you’re test-driving a pre-owned car. Take it on winding, bumpy surfaces with potholes and speed bumps where worn brakes, struts, and shocks would be more apparent. You don’t want to hit a pothole a month after you buy a used car and have it fall apart!
Problems with outdated parts
If the car’s previous owner intended to sell the car a while ago, they probably haven’t replaced any worn-out parts that are past due. Does the car you’re buying have old parts in it? Not only will you soon be paying for replacements, but the outdated pats may have done permanent damage to the vehicle (even something as basic as an outdated engine filter).
Most of these commonly overlooked problems on used cars can be found with a proper inspection by an experienced mechanic. Have a conversation with your mechanic to ensure the car you’re buying isn’t hiding any surprises.
Aaron is unashamed to be a native Clevelander and the proud driver of a Hyundai Veloster Turbo (which recently replaced his 1995 Saturn SC-2). He gleefully utilizes his background in theater, literature, and communication to dramatically recite his own articles to nearby youth. Mr. Widmar happily resides in Dayton, Ohio with his magnificent wife, Vicki, but is often on the road with her exploring new destinations. Aaron has high aspirations for his writing career but often gets distracted pondering the profound nature of the human condition and forgets what he was writing… See more articles by Aaron.
