The used car market is poised to expand greatly in this economy. In many ways, purchasing a used or certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle makes excellent financial sense. There are a few things that any purchaser should do right after buying a used car. Specifically, used cars that are older and/or were never “certified pre-owned”. These vehicles rely on the owner’s initiative and ability to maintain pre-loved vehicles.
After buying a used car you should:
1. Clean underneath the hood and undercarriage
Don’t rely on what has already been cleaned as there are components that may have been missed. Take your newly purchased vehicle to a coin operated car wash and use the engine degreaser throughout the engine bay, underside and around the transmission. Before beginning, let the vehicle cool for at least 10 minutes with the hood up to spill off some heat. Make sure the battery terminals are covered to prevent them from getting soaked. Find all of the nooks and crannies where oil can pool up and let the degreasing fluid soak in before rinsing. I highly recommend keeping the engine bay and motor clean throughout the life of the vehicle. This will enable you and your mechanic to have easy visuals of the areas where leaks may be originating. Nothing is better than a clean working area.
2. Clean the rest of the car
As for the rest of the vehicle, detailing is always a good thing as a clean car feels newer. Don’t forget to strip off the old wax as it tends to build up in some areas, and then make sure you get a good new wax. If your car was owned by a smoker and you’re not a smoker, use dryer sheets under the seats (it absorbs some odors) and baking soda based carpet cleaners. White vinegar on the inside of the windows is best before a before regular glass cleaner. The vinegar will help remove the nicotine film left on the glass which tends to swirl and leave stains. Many detailers have special equipment that can help remove odor and stains effectively.
3. Check the tires
In many cases, tires may be worn out in used cars. Always check the inside tire wall for wear as regular visual inspections may not reveal balding or uneven wear. If the former owner has not replaced the tires in more than 30 thousand miles or two years, you should have your tires inspected. Some unscrupulous used car lots switch good tires for bad and slap on some shiny tire concoction to make them look new. Use your hand and reach over to the far side of the side wall, if it feels bald – beware. Look for bulges, rips, cracks and items that may be stuck in the tread or side wall (like nails and screws). I always recommend new rubber from a reputable tire establishment that includes free rotation and warranties for the tires.
4. Check the brakes
Rear drum brakes are hard to visually inspect. Disc brakes can be visually inspected and you can base their basic health on a drive. When looking at a disc brake, see if there are noticeable grooves in the disc that look like old-school records. This may indicate an issue with the brake shoe. Loud squealing or pulling under braking is an obvious sign of bad brake health too. When testing the vehicle, find an empty street, bring the vehicle up to speed and slam on the brakes. You’re feeling the steering for pulling or shaking and the pedal should not be too spongy. Both of these issues are common for used vehicles and should be part of presale due diligence. Many brake places can resurface or replace worn brakes, replace pads and bleed lines – shop around.