How to Know a Lemon When You See One Articles | Automotive

By: Cargoyle

Finding a reliable and used car isn’t always an easy thing. You should know how to spot problems before you drive your car off to the car lot. This way you can save a lot of money on potential repairs and headaches.

Check the reliability record:

By checking the reliability records of a car listed on several consumer websites such as ConsumerReports.org, you can easily avoid getting stuck with a lemon. On such websites you’ll easily find a list of some of the typical problems that you should be on the lookout for. You should also check with the manufacturer of a car for any recalls that may have adverse effects on the model and year of the car that you may be thinking about.

Check the vehicle’s history:

If you pay for a report from carfax.com or autocheck.com it might cost you a few dollars but in the long run it’ll save you a whole lot of grief and expenses. These reports are a great way of detecting odometer fraud, revealing past fires, or any other damage that may have resulted to the car due to an accident. Furthermore it will warn potential buyers if the car has ever been rebuilt or salvaged. All you will need to run the report is your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The whole process will take just under five minutes and about $20.

Read the window sticker:

The Federal Trade Commission stipulates that all car dealers must post a Buyer’s Guide on all used cars that may be for sale. This guide must list any currently offered warranty information that is offered as well as the responsibilities for repair that the seller has. You should take note of any sales classified as “as is” sales because they offer no form of coverage for the buyer.

Inspect both the exterior and the interior:

You should look out for particular areas that may show signs that an accident has occurred, they include: dents, scratches, signs of repair etc. You should ensure that all the doors and locks of the car close properly. Look also for any chances of paint overspray on the chrome or rubber trims. This could be a sign that the body panel has been repaired. Other things which may show previous repair work are:

• Chipped or mismatched paint.  
• Filler under the paint – you can easily find this out with a magnet. If the magnet doesn’t stick to a certain part of the car, which could mean that there is repair filler underneath the paint.   
• Frayed seatbelts – this might be a sign of a previous accident.   
• Warped dashboard/ missing knobs.   
• An airbag light that won’t shut off may mean that the airbag has already been deployed.

Check the engine:

A lot of things should be looked for under the hood as these may all be signs of problems in the future. Some tiny details that a buyer who isn’t skilled in the art of purchasing used cars should look out for are:

• Wet spots which indicate fluid leakage.  
• Full oil level. 
• Bright red or brown transmission fluid (not dark brown or black)  
• Any grease-free engine, radiator and battery.  
• Pliable and unworn hoses.  
• Melted wires and tubes.

Inspect the tires:

The presence of a heavy tread outside the tires and by the sidewall may mean that the car has really been driven hard. Cupped tires which may have been worn unevenly may also be a sign of some trouble. This sort of sign usually shows something is wrong with the suspension, steering or brakes.

Watch the steering and suspension systems:

You should look out for chunking noises in your steering. Too much play in the wheel may also mean a worn steering gear. When you are test driving the vehicle, you should look out and see if the car tends to veer off course when you’re driving. This may indicate that your car is off alignment.

In order to look out for problems relating to suspension, try pushing down on the fender and letting go. The car should normally rebound softly once or twice. You should also drive the car over a bumpy road at a speed of about 30mph to check for any unnecessary and excess juggling or bouncing.

Get A Mechanic’s Opinion:

Before you buy any used car or truck, it may be great ideas to have a certified mechanic take a look at the car. A thorough diagnostic test may cost a lot more than $100 but independent mechanics will usually carry out a quick check for some obvious problems for a whole lot less.