Used cars tend to be far more affordable than new ones. As such, they're ideal for budget-conscious drivers.
However, because a second-hand car could potentially have hidden pre-existing defects, it is important to be thorough in your evaluation of a particular used car before you commit to buying it. Here are some tips that should help to ensure that you buy a high-quality used vehicle.
1. Don't allow yourself to be distracted during the test drive
Test-driving a used car is a great way to accurately assess the vehicle's road performance and determine if there are any faults that the owner of the vehicle has not mentioned to you. For example, during a test drive, you can check the vehicle's stopping distances (long stopping distances can indicate that the tyre treads are too low or that the brake pads are in need of replacement).
A test drive can also give you a chance to listen out for sounds that could indicate the presence of faults within the car (for instance, a grinding noise that occurs when you change gears could mean that there is a problem with the clutch). However, the test-drive will only reveal the true condition of the car if you are paying close attention whilst you are driving. If you allow yourself to be distracted by the things your passengers are chatting about, or by the scenery that you are driving past during the road journey, it is highly likely that you will fail to notice any of the vehicle's issues.
As such, it is important to focus solely on the car's performance, as well as any sounds, smells or smoke it produces, whilst you're on the road. Making an effort to remain focused could save you the hassle and huge expense that comes with buying a used car that is in poor condition and has lots of faults.
2. Inspect the car during the day, rather than in the evening
If possible, it is best to inspect the used car you are thinking about buying during the day, rather than late in the evening. The reason for this is as follows; if you view the car in the evening, when it is dark outside, there is a chance that you may fail to see some of the car's defects (particularly if the owner has parked the car on their poorly-lit driveway).
You might, for example, not notice the dents and scratches on the body of the car, be unable to see the engine oil leaking out from the undercarriage onto the ground underneath the vehicle or fail to spot the worn tyre treads. This, in turn, could lead to you buying an unsuitable car that you then have to spend a lot of money repairing.
As such, it is best to view the car during the day, when the lighting conditions will allow you to inspect it properly. For more information, contact a company like Blue Ribbon Motors.
