QLD Car Care
things you needto know to stayon the road & earning
How To Check A Vehicle Before Buying
September 13, 2024
How To Check A Vehicle Before Buying
Quick Summary:
It is important to know how to check a vehicle before buying in order to protect yourself from common scam and pitfalls as a buyer. Checking will help you avoid buying a lemon, hidden costs, and scams like odometer fraud and fake documents.
Be sure to test drive the car and listen out for any sounds or odd feelings when operational.
The best way to be sure is to get a pre-purchase inspection done by a professional like us, as this will give you peace of mind and end up saving you much more than it costs.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Check A Vehicle Before Buying
Thoroughly checking a car before you buy it is one of the smartest moves you can make, saving you significant time, effort, and money in the long run. By identifying any potential issues upfront, you avoid the costly surprise of unexpected repairs soon after your purchase.
This means you’re not only investing in the car itself but also ensuring you won’t be hit with additional expenses for fixes that could have been avoided with a careful inspection.
For me, the peace of mind that comes from knowing your car is in good condition is invaluable. Instead of constantly worrying about what might go wrong next, you can drive with confidence, knowing you’ve made a well-informed decision.
Having this peace of mind eliminates the stress and anxiety that can come from dealing with frequent car problems, leaving you free to enjoy your new vehicle without the nagging fear of looming repair bills.
If you are looking to buy a car, it’ll be worth you reading our blog on what to look for when buying a car.
Important Areas To Check On A Vehicle Before Buying
Exterior Vehicle Check Before Buying
What To Check
So when you first go to inspect a car, one of the first things you’ll notice is the condition of the exterior. While yes, the paintwork isn’t what matters for the vehicle health it can actually be an indication of how well the vehicle has been looked after.
If the car is full of dinks and dents it’s an indication that the vehicle has not been treated with care over the years, and so may give you an insight to how the interior and other important parts have been treated.
Our Advice
For me, it’s really important I don’t see any significant damage to the interior, even if it’s covered up. As it may be an indication that the vehicle was in a small accident, and that the damage may not be limited to the exterior.
So be sure to keep your eyes out for any covered damage to the exterior, and if you do end up buying the car make sure to check out our blog on how to get scratches out of a car
Suspension And Brakes Check Before Buying
What To Check
When it comes to the brakes I don’t take any chances, I want them to be in great condition. You should make sure the brakes are spongy or have any give before they start slowing the vehicle. As well as being able to stop the car in a safe way, so make sure to do an emergency stop while test driving the car.
Secondly when it comes to suspension I always check for any squeaky noises while driving to see if any springs or bushes are worn out. I pair this with how the car feels while going over bumps, as with good suspension the car will feel smooth and glide over bumps without too much trouble
Our Advice
My advice would be to check these areas well, as not only will they be expensive fixes down the road, but they are very important for your safety too.
Make sure not underplay any issues with the suspension and brakes, if there is anything not right about them i would not recommend taking the risk when it comes to your safety and wallet.
Test Drive Check Before You Buy
An absolute must for me is to test drive the car, as it is the only and best way to properly check a vehicle before you buy. The only real way you can tell the condition of the car is to see it run.
This way you can feel how the steering goes, the engine runs and how the car’s systems work. While stationary you can’t see the condition of many parts such as the gearbox or engine.
So the acid test is to take it for a test drive and listen carefully for any noises and feel for any clunky gear changes or funky noises coming from the car’s mechanics.
Vehicle History Check & Documentation
I would say one of the most important things to check would be the documentation of the car. This may not directly link to the condition of the car right now but if it has a full service and work history you can get a good idea of at least what might not need doing.
For example if they have proof that the CAM belt was changed last month you can feel relieved that you won’t have to be replacing that one any time soon. Whereas without any history you may as well assume that maintenance on the car is due now.
In my experience, a lack of paperwork on a car or service history is an indication the car hasn’t been fully cared for so beware the condition it’s in.
Lastly, it goes without saying that you should only pursue a car that has already got a roadworthy certificate. As without one the sale simply will not go through, as you will need this to transfer registration into your name.
This is super important for anyone buying a Caravan with gas lines in it, or an LPG car. As they will have to provide a gas safety certificate and LPG tank safety certificate respectively when selling their vehicle.
Checking Fluid Levels Before Buying
So when checking essential fluid levels on a car you’re considering buying, start with the engine oil. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, and then pull it out again to check the oil level and condition.
The oil should be between the min and max markers and should look clean, not dark or gritty.
Next, check the coolant level in the reservoir, this should be near the full mark and should have a clear, sharp colour. Also, inspect the brake fluid level, which should be between the minimum and maximum lines. It should be a light amber colour, not dark or murky.
Lastly, check the transmission fluid, which should be pinkish and free of burnt smells. Ensuring these fluids are at proper levels and in good condition can give you insight into how well the car has been maintained.
Tire Inspection Before Buying
To check tyre tread on a car you’re considering buying, start by visually inspecting each tire for even wear and overall condition.
Firstly, check for any signs of uneven wear, which could point to alignment issues or suspension problems. Ensuring the tires have adequate tread and are in good condition is crucial for both safety and avoiding additional costs after purchase.
To measure the tread depth you can actually use a tread depth gauge or the penny test for those who don’t have access to a tread gauge. To do this, put a 20-cent coin into the tread grooves with the platypus’s bill facing down. If you can see the top of the bill, the tread is too low, indicating the tires may need replacing soon.
Using A Pre Purchase Inspection To Check A Vehicle Before Buying
For me, I would never buy a car without getting a pre-purchase inspection as the benefits massively outweigh the costs.
A pre-purchase inspection is where a qualified mechanic inspects the car in question before the purchase and gives you a detailed report on the condition of the car, with quality inspectors even sending photos of any issues to you via email.
This has a great deal of benefits and is a must for anyone looking to buy a car. If you want to find out more about the advantages of these inspections read our blog ‘Are pre-purchase inspections worth it?’
Benefits Of Getting A Pre Purchase Inspection
Pre purchase Inspections Can Uncover Hidden Issues
A PPI is conducted by a professional mechanic who can identify potential problems that may not be visible during a casual inspection or test drive. This includes mechanical issues, structural damage, or signs of previous accidents that might not have been disclosed by the seller.
What’s important about this is, identifying these issues early can save you from unexpected repair costs down the line. As often people put their car up for sale when they notice something is wrong and don’t want to have to pay for it themselves.
A pre-purchase inspection will stop you having to fork out in a few months time for repairs that if you knew about, wouldn’t have paid the price you did at the time of the sale.
You Can Negotiate a Better Price
So a huge plus to getting a pre purchase inspection as a buyer is that it gives you an edge when negotiating price. If the inspection reveals any issues big or small, this can be used to leverage a better price.
Getting this detailed report on the condition of the car will give you great leverage in any price discussions, that hold good weight as it’s from a professional garage.
Our Inspectors Will Give You Peace of Mind
One of the main reasons I get pre pre-purchase inspection is for peace of mind. Knowing that a professional has thoroughly inspected the vehicle gives you confidence in your purchase.
You can proceed with the transaction, reassured that there are no major surprises waiting for you after the sale. This peace of mind is especially valuable if you’re buying from a private seller or if the car is out of warranty.
Top quality companies such as us offer mobile roadworthys which means you won’t even have to be there. We can inspect the car while you’re at work and email you the report as well as talk to you on the phone.
Pre Purchase Inspections Stop You Buying A Lemon
A PPI helps you avoid buying a “lemon,” or a car with significant, often hidden, defects that could lead to costly repairs. The inspection ensures that the vehicle is in good condition and safe to drive, reducing the risk of future headaches.
Common Scams In Australia When Buying A Car
Odometer Fraud Checks Before Buying
What to Watch For: Odometer rollback is a common scam where the seller illegally rolls back the mileage to make the car appear less used.
Check for inconsistencies in the wear and tear of the car, like excessive wear on the pedals or seats, that don’t match the low mileage. Always compare the odometer reading with the mileage noted in the car’s service records.
How to Protect Yourself: Request a vehicle history report (like Carfax) to verify the mileage history. Look for any discrepancies between the reported mileage and the odometer reading.
Title Washing Checks Before Buying
What to Watch For: Title washing is a tactic where sellers try to remove a car’s salvage or rebuilt title by registering it in a different state, which may not carry over the negative title status. This can make it look like the car has a clean history when it actually has been involved in a major accident.
How to Protect Yourself: Always run a VIN check through a reputable service to see the car’s history across different states. Be cautious of cars with recent title changes or those registered in multiple states in a short period.
Flood Damage Checks Before Buying
What to Watch For: Cars that have been in floods can have severe, long-lasting damage, but some sellers may attempt to clean them up and sell them without disclosing the history. Signs include a musty smell, water stains, rust in unusual places, or silt and debris in hidden areas like under the seats or in the trunk.
How to Protect Yourself: Inspect the car thoroughly for any signs of water damage. A professional pre-purchase inspection can help identify hidden flood damage that may not be immediately obvious.
Fake or Forged Document Checks Before Buying
What to Watch For: Some sellers may provide forged service records, fake inspection certificates, or altered ownership documents to make the car appear more valuable or to hide its history.
How to Protect Yourself: Verify all documents with the issuing authority. For service records, you can contact the service centre directly to confirm the work was actually done. Ensure that the seller’s name matches the name on the title and that the VIN on the car matches the VIN on the documents.
Conclusion
So there we have it, that’s my advice for how and why it’s important to check a car over before you buy.
Taking the time to thoroughly check a vehicle before purchasing is one of the smartest investments you can make. By carefully inspecting the exterior, suspension, brakes, and other key components, you significantly reduce the risk of unexpected repairs that could cost you both time and money.
Additionally, conducting a test drive and reviewing the vehicle’s history and documentation provide invaluable insights into the car’s true condition. This diligence not only helps you avoid common scams but also gives you leverage in negotiating a fair price, potentially saving you thousands of dollars..
Ultimately, a thorough check before buying ensures that you can drive away with confidence, knowing you’ve made a well-informed decision.