Used Car Buying Guide

Neglect shows, bald tyres, broken tail lights, dirty on the inside and out. Bald tyres mean engine problems, because if the owner of the car has not cared enough to keep the vehicle in an unbroken condition then he/she has not cared enough to maintain the engine either.

Here are some indicators…

1. Dirty interior - this is the big one, it means a bad engine and transmission, engine problems is almost always accompanied by a filthy interior. If the car is not clean inside then it has mechanical problems.
2. Bald tyres - means neglected engine and transmission
3. Broken lights and bumpers - may to be an indicator of a bad engine and transmission, while after-market light housing are not that expensive to replace, why wouldn't one replace them if they are broken and care was taken with the car.
4. The location of the purchase, car from across the tracks have mechanical problems.
5. Safety belts that do not recoil are worn out and so is the car. It the seat belt neither recoil and is also chewed up then the car has mechanical problems as well as interior problems.
6. Cracks on windscreen - Wind-shield glass be it front of back cost, but may not be an indicator of a bad car. Unlike keeping a car clean or cleaning prior to selling it which costs time and effort a slightly broken wind-shield may be too much of an expense.
7. Bent number plates - indicates that the person is not proud of driving the car and therefore the car has been involved in dings and smashes. A bent number plate is also an indicator that the person selling it has no regard for the law and so the car has body damage.
8. Rust - surface rust may not be an indicator of a bad car plenty of people live coastal and the salt ages the car. Paint repairs are expensive and even a caring owner may not be able to avoid these issues.
9. Bad brakes - means engine and transmission problems, worn brakes because the pads have never been changed, when driven and brakes are applied it rubs metal and one hears it. It the person selling the car neglects the brakes which is something one shouldn't neglect you can be assured the rest of the fundamentals are neglected also.
10. Mileage - unless the car is rebuild worthy the mileage is always an indicator a a worn out car. A 500,000 mile car is too far gone.

What about taking a chance?

Some people like to believe they can take a neglected car and resurrect it like Jesus Christ, and they take a chance, if you want to take a chance then go for it, the safety is how much could I easily sell it on should I change my mind after purchase and then offer that price for the car. A $500 car is a safe bet as it most likely will be purchased by someone, other brands people will likely pay more and so it might be a safe gamble.