There are many tantalizing choices when you shop for a used car. Spend enough time looking and you can find what appears to be the perfect vehicle in the right color with the right price. All those choices can also be a bit overwhelming and it’s easy to get pulled into what ultimately may become a bad deal.
There are a variety of used car options available to consumers. You can buy from a private seller and possibly secure the best price. Or, you can work with a dealer and take advantage of more choices and the sense of security that comes with buying from a dealer. Plus, only dealers can offer Certified Pre Owned (CPO) vehicles that include good warranties and some have maintenance plans – all of which come at an additional cost over a private seller’s car.
No matter which option you choose, here are 10 items to consider when looking at used cars from private owners and used car lots.
1. Never Buy a "salvage" vehicle
Imagine crushing an aluminum can, then straightening it out. Now, with the can looking almost like its former self – smack it against your knee. It crushes like, well - an aluminum can, right? In many cases, salvaged vehicles have maintained damage that makes them dangerous to the public if resold. "Salvage" titles are mainly for auto-wreckers/recyclers. These vehicles are essentially junk. Components can be sold individually and chassis/undercarriages are usually crushed—for good reason.
2. Make sure there is no flood damage.
After Hurricane Katrina, a multitude of flood damaged vehicles were illegally sold to unsuspecting buyers. Flood damaged vehicles are hard to spot and can fall through the cracks if they are not claimed as a loss or re-titled as a salvage vehicle. Look for rust under the seat padding, the carpet pads, spare tire compartment and underneath the vehicle. A rust covered car is one to avoid – one with rust that's coating the exhaust system is kryptonite.
3. Do not test drive a car that's been warmed up.
Cars that leak oil, run rough and are sluggish often run better when warm. That's not a good thing. If a car you are about to sample has been warmed up prior to your arrival – wait. Depending on the weather, engines take an hour or more to cool down. A good rule of thumb is to wait until the radiator cap is cool to the touch before starting the car. After a vehicle is started from cold, let it run for several minutes and take note of any drips, smells, smoke and unusual sounds. Over a dry, fluid-free parking space, open up a few newspapers under the engine and transmission then run the engine for about 10 minutes while looking over the rest of the vehicle. When the time is up, remove the paper and look for leaks.
4. Avoid fire damage.
This is a tough one as fire damage can be hidden. One of the easiest ways to locate fire damage is on the underside of the hood. Look for char marks or paint discoloration. Usually, there is a composite plastic or fabric sheet on the underside of the hood, if this is burned or missing, question why. If there is a new (or newer looking) cover – peek underneath. Fire leaves a residue which can look like burnt paper or plastic on engine components. It also bubbles paint much like rust. In fact, burnt sections of cars invite rust as the paint and primer are burned away. Look at the plastic trim throughout the vehicle - if any looks charred, misshapen, or recently replaced, investigate further.
5. Check for critters.
Vehicles that stand for a long time can gain visitors. These new boarders can nest, nibble and defecate out of sight of the occasional glance. When looking at a vehicle that's stood for some time, take care to carefully check the engine compartment, trunk and wheel wells before starting the engine.
2010 Cadillac CTS