Keep an Eye Out for These Use Car Red Flags
With just how expensive new cars are today, unless you’re living off of daddy’s money, you’ll probably end up having to opt for a second-hand vehicle. While a little wear and tear is expected in second-hand cars, there are some red flags that you should never ignore.
Missing Service Records
Over its lifespan, a car is bound to make a few stops at the shop, all of which should be noted sensibly, with details of what was addressed, what was fixed, etc. If the car you’re eyeing to buy lacks these crucial records, however, there’s a chance that its previous owner wasn’t staying up to date with their maintenance routine - which could spell trouble for you later down the line.
Salvage or Rebuilt Title
Not every accident will leave a car totally irreparable, but there are some cases when an insurance company would be more inclined to write it off as a loss. If the car you’re looking at has been declared with a rebuilt title, it could indicate some underlying, lingering issues as a result of a previous catastrophic accident.
Fresh Paint and Mismatched Panels
How could a fresh coat of paint be bad, we hear you ask. The issue is when only one section of a car has been recently repainted, normally to cover up accident damage. Similarly, mismatched paneling suggests body work that may not have been disclosed.
Rust
Of course, nobody is particularly inclined to buy a car with rust, but most will be willing to overlook smaller cases. That said, rust can quickly spread and damage many important components, compromising your safety and your driving experience in general.
Warning Lights
Warning lights do just that - they warn you about potential dangers or issues. That said, you’d be surprised by how many prospective buyers ignore lingering warning lights. These typically indicate an underlying mechanical issue or fault that hasn’t been addressed.
Uneven Tire Wear
Assuming that all four tires haven’t been replaced since the car first rolled off the factory floor, they should all be evenly worn. Too much or too little wear on one or more of the tires could indicate suspension problems, wheel misalignment, or even frame damage.
Air Freshener Smell
Having a car smell good isn’t a bad thing, but when a used car is overwhelmingly sweet in its aroma, you should take that as a hint that something fishy is up. The seller may be using the overpowering scent to cover up smoke, moldy odors, or mildew.
Flood Damage
If something smells a little musty to you, it could be a sign that the car you’re buying has had some flood damage. This could result in some lingering electrical gremlins that the seller would be all too happy to pass on to you.
Rushed Sales
Is your seller pushing you to close out this deal fast? It may be time to pass on the offer. Rushed sales usually mean that the seller is looking to offload a problematic (see also: illegal) car onto you, leaving you to deal with the consequences.
VIN Mismatches
All cars ship with a VIN, that is, a vehicle identification number, which distinguishes it from other cars on the road. If the VIN on the dash doesn’t match the one shown on the door sticker, it could indicate that the car was stolen, or at the very least, rebuilt using parts from another vehicle.
Unusual Engine Noises
Assuming you’ve gone for a test drive in the car you’re looking to buy, you will have had plenty of opportunities to suss out any mechanical issues. One thing you definitely shouldn’t ignore is unusual engine noises, which typically indicate severe engine problems. No, that’s not “just how it sounds”.
Jerking Transmission
When you drive a car, you’ll get pretty acquainted with its transmission, which is something you should test before committing to your purchase. Hesitating or jerky transmission can lead to one of the most expensive repairs you’ll ever have to pay for.
Tampered Odometer
One thing about vehicle wear is that - for the most part - it’s pretty consistent. Tire wear should match the mileage as displayed on the odometer. If it doesn’t, it could indicate that the odometer has been tampered with, and that you’re getting a car that isn’t as new as the seller claims.
Fluids
Fluids like oil, water, and coolant are crucial to proper car maintenance. If the vehicle’s fluids are low or dirty, it could be an indication of neglect or potential mechanical issues.
Title Deeds
Cars need to be registered in the name of the person selling them to you. If it isn’t, this could be an indication that the car is being flipped illegally. This, in turn, will create legal issues for you if you choose to proceed with the deal, or at the very least, restrict your ability to register it.
Inconsistent Paint Texture
You can tell a lot about a car by the texture of its paint. While a little bit of wear and tear is expected from used cars, shockingly inconsistent paint texture could - on the other hand - be the effects of a hasty cover-up of more severe issues.
Missing Spare or Tools
All cars should come with a spare tire in case of an accident or emergency on the road. If one is missing, it could indicate that the car was previously in an accident and subsequently improperly maintained.
Dirty Interior
You’ll be spending the majority of your driving time in the car interior (hopefully), so you’ll want to ensure that it’s well-maintained. Tears, stains, and broken controls could indicate a pattern of neglect on the previous owner’s part.
Inconsistent Cold Starts
When it gets cold, older cars tend to struggle to get started, typically due to starter, fuel delivery, or compression issues. That said, some particularly shifty sellers will heat up the car beforehand to avoid you detecting this issue.
Pricing
This one is pretty obvious, folks, so we’ll keep it short and sweet. Simply put, if the price seems too good to be true… it probably is. Buying cheap is buying expensive - always keep that in mind.
Concerning Vehicle History
If the car you're looking at has a history of fixes and repairs that seem more than normal or out of the ordinary, be careful. Buying someone else's problem makes it your problem, and that's the last thing you want.
