Average Joe’s (Joan’s) guide to "Kicking The Tires"

Many (even most) people feel overwhelmed when it comes to looking for a used car.  There are just so many things to be concerned with, that it is one of the more dreaded events in many people's lives.   Here's a listing of used car buying tips that will make you look and feel like a pro when you walk onto a car lot.  Take this small checklist with you to remind you what to look for.

            Tires-Don't kick the tires, but check to see that each tire's treads are worn evenly, not rounded on the edges, and not noticeably deeper in the middle.  Uneven tread wear usually indicates poor wheel alignment and/or improper wheel balancing; and frequently is an indicator that the previous owner may not have "bothered with" other routine maintenance items as well.  The drive tires (in the front for most cars) should be from the same manufacturer, the same model, and be of equal tread depth.  If all tires match well, that is a good sign; if they don't, be wary of other "wear" items.     

            Headlights- Do the headlights match?  Turn them on.  Is one of them yellowish/dimmer or pointing in the wrong direction (cross-eyed)?  If they don’t match, look for clues of an accident.

           Check the body lines for unevenness.  Body lines are where different parts of the car blend together (light housings, doors, side panels, hood, fenders, trunk lid).  If the "gap" line is uneven, crooked, raised/lowered, it may be indicative of poor repairs from an accident.

            Inspect the full body of the car to see if the paint is a consistent shade all over.  Inconsistent shading usually indicates a damaged area was repainted, instead of the entire car.    

            Check to see if paint "overspray" is present.  Open the hood/trunk/doors and look for specks of paint on typically non-painted parts, or drips of paint in notch areas.  Any differences may be indicative of accident damage/poor repairs.

            Interior – Check for small holes in the upholstery, on the door panel, or carpeting for likely cigarette burns.  Check the sun visor and lining above the driver's head for fading/staining.  Check to see if the seats are stained or the ashtray was used.  A smoker’s car often smells foul.  Non-smokers rarely want a smoker's car. 

            Inspection Stickers – When do they expire?  If just recently inspected, the car was certified as having passed the state's requirements for safety and emissions.  If not recently inspected, be sure to consider having your mechanic check all aspects of the car to give you an idea of the car's condition.   A car with expired inspection stickers is one to be wary of.  Insist the dealer provide current inspection stickers before you agree to a purchase.  If the dealer refuses to do so, you could find that it requires costly repairs.  Reputable dealers shouldn't have a problem with such a request. 

            Oil – Check the oil level and oil color on the dipstick.   The level indicators are at the very end of the dipstick. There are lines with a shaded area showing the upper and lower limit range; if it is low, the car needs oil.  Now check the color:  it should be a transparent golden brown.  If the color is black (or, worse, tar like), it means the oil hasn’t been changed recently; so, if you buy the car, have the oil changed almost immediately (and then every 3 to 6 months, or every 3000-6000 miles).  

            Power windows and Locks – Check to make sure all master and individual switches activate.  Replacement of the switch motors can be very costly.

            Keys - Make sure each master key fits in both the door lock and the ignition.  If they don’t work in both, it could mean the ignition key cylinder was replaced.  It could have been a stolen car.

Windshield – Are there cracks or chips in it?  If there are small cracks, they could "travel" with vibration and require replacement. 

            CarFax – Obtain a CarFax report.  CarFax is an independent company that tracks the ownership history, inspection records and accident reports on cars all over the nation.  Every dealer should provide this report for you, and if it is not provided voluntarily, should be specifically requested.  If the seller cannot provide it, or otherwise refuses to do so, be VERY wary of the vehicle.

            Warranties – What does the warranty cover?  More importantly, what doesn’t it cover?

             Test drive – Do you fit in it?  Does the seat adjust to your comfort? Can you see over the hood?  Does the car sound right?  Does it feel right?

These are a few of the things that are easy (and important) to check when you are looking for a used car.  Use these tips when on a used car lot and the dealer will think he has an educated buyer to deal with.  Now, while you're at it, go ahead and kick a tire or two--you deserve it.

I am so grateful that there are people like That's My New Car. Working with them was so satisfying. I would never buy another car from anybody else - Michael Goldberg -