Buying a used car might save you some money. But if you do not look over the car with care, what seems like a good offer can cost you more down the road. A pre-purchase inspection, or PPI, is one of the best ways to keep your money safe and help as you talk about the price. A PPI looks at many things. You need to look at the body of the car, how the engine works, the inside electronics, and how the car moves on the road. If you do this step by step, you will not have to wonder about the car. You can check the car by yourself or hire a skilled worker who knows cars well. When you know what to look for, you can see hidden issues like past crashes, false numbers for miles, or things that are close to breaking before you pay. Read more to see the top things you should do for looking over any used car.
1. Documentation & VIN Verification
You need to check the paperwork before you grab a flashlight or lift the hood. If the car does not fit what the legal papers say, this can be a big warning for you.
- VIN Matching: You will need to look for the Vehicle Identification Number at the top of the dashboard on the driver’s side, at the door jamb, at the engine block, and in the car registration documents. The numbers should match in all these places. There must be no difference in any one place.
- Car Maintenance and Title: Request to see all the maintenance documents for the car. Good documentation will indicate multiple changes in oil and valve jobs done when necessary. The title of the car should not be confusing. It should not have anything written on it like rebuilt or flood.
- Odometer Check: While examining the odometer, you should examine inside the car and find out whether or not there is any kind of wear and tear that does not go along with the miles recorded on the odometer. If the odometer shows that the car has traveled less than 40,000 miles but the brakes or wheels are old, then the odometer miles have been tampered with.
2. Exterior & Structural Body Inspection
Look at the car outside when the sun is up, and the ground is flat. Do not look at cars in dark garages or when it rains. Water and low light can hide issues with the paint or doors.
1. Check Panel Gaps & Paint Depth:
Run your finger to feel the space between the doors, fenders, and hood. If these gaps are not the same size, it could mean the car was in a crash and then fixed. Look at the paint in the light to see how it looks. If you see it change or it shows color on the rubber, that can mean the car was painted again. You can use a tool to check paint thickness or use a small tool with a cloth to find places where body filler was put on the car.
2. Inspect Glass and Seals:
Look at the windshield and the windows. Check the place where the lights are. Try to find any small cracks. See if there is any fog inside the headlight covers. This can show that water can get in. It could also mean the front end of the car was hit before.
3. Evaluate Tires and Suspension Alignment:
Check the tire tread to see the depth. Find the DOT date on the side of the tire. If you see more wear on the inside or outside, the wheels may not be straight. The arms that hold up the tires may be bent. The rubber pieces that connect the arms can also be worn out.
3. Mechanical & Under-the-Hood Examination
The engine bay can help determine whether the vehicle has been properly maintained by its owners. It should always be inspected when it is cold.
Fluid Checks Critical to the Car
- Engine Oil: Remove the dipstick from the engine. It should be dark but clean. If the oil is thick and is dirty, the oil change was not performed timely enough. Some deposits on the dipstick mean that there is something wrong with internal parts of the engine.
- Coolant: Coolant needs to be checked, but before checking it, it is imperative that the engine be cooled first. The coolant should have a color either pink or blue. In case of milk or bubbles in the coolant, there is sure to be a leak in the gasket or engine.
- Transmission Fluid: In the case of transmission fluid, if there is a dipstick available, then it is useful in determining its condition, i.e., if it is dark black or burned.
Undercarriage & Frame Inspection
Check underneath the vehicle with a flashlight. Examine the frame rails, the floor pans, and the area where the suspension attaches. It’s important to be able to identify any rust holes or weld repairs that might be indicative of an issue. Be sure to check for any leaks at the oil pan seal, rear main seal, and back axle coverings.
4. On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) Scanning
Once the connection between the OBD-II diagnostic scanner and the vehicle connector is established, all codes regarding the problems in the car will be revealed. In some cases, the battery may be disconnected by the seller to hide these codes.
