Buying A Pre-Owned Unit? Make Sure You Inspect Used Cars For These First

1. May 19, 2017 Buying A Pre-Owned Unit? Make Sure You Inspect Used Cars For These First Image 1: Inspection 101: A Checklist for Inspecting Used Cars at Dealerships There are plenty of reasons why you may want to choose to buy a used car instead of a brand new unit. For one, it can offer more value for your money. After all, a car that's only two to three years old still has a lot of mileage left in them. The best part is, you can buy it for much less than a unit that's right out of the carmaker's assembly line. In fact, you can save as much as $13,000 when you opt to buy a used car over a brand new model. Page | 1

2. When it comes to shopping for a used car, the key is to inspect a unit as extensively as possible before finalizing your purchase. After all, you need to know that the car is in perfect running condition. That said, here are some critical factors that you need to inspect when you are shopping for used cars in a dealership. Exterior Your inspection should always starts with the exterior of the vehicle. Ideally, you’ll want to do this under broad daylight and preferably on a dry day. This way, you can see all aspects of the car’s exterior clearly and spot any subtle blemishes right away. First, check the body panel and the roof to look for dents, scratches or rust. After that, check the lines on the doors and fenders to make sure that nothing is misaligned. Move on to the vehicle glass and see if it has any scratches or cracks. At this point, you may also to test the car's shock absorbers by bouncing on each corner up and down. Afterwards, move on to the tires and check for any signs of wear and tear. Interior Once inside the car, notice if there’s any odd odor emanating from the inside. You can then move on to inspect the seats to look for any issues with the upholstery. As you sit inside, take the opportunity to test the seat adjustments to see if they still work well. After, check the ignition as well as the gas and brake pedals. If you’re satisfied with how they work, proceed with checking the sound system and interior lights. Page | 2

3. Under The Hood There a number of things that you need to check under the hood to determine if a used car would be a good buy. These include the hoses, belts, fluids, battery, and radiator, among other things. If you’re unsure on what exactly to look for, you can decide to bring along a mechanic with you for a comprehensive check. Aside from inspecting the used car itself, you also need to confirm if the unit had to undergo repair jobs before it was sent to the dealership. Information like these are necessary in determining whether a used car is a good buy or not. You can also choose to get the contact details of the car's previous owner if you want to know more about the unit. By conducting a thorough look at a used vehicle, you can make an informed decision as you finally sign on the dotted line. About Toyota of Orange: At Toyota Of Orange, we offer a number of used cars that matches the performance of brand new models at an affordable price. We have an inventory of used cars that are still in great running condition, guaranteeing they can still last years without any trouble. If you're interested, you can make an appointment to test drive a vehicle yourself. Sources: What to look for when you're buying a used car, theaa.com How to Buy a Used Car Without Getting Burned: The 101-Point Checklist, popularmechanics.com 10 Steps to Buying a Used Car, edmunds.com Page | 3