Buying Used Cars

[ShAwNeX]

What's the general guideline to buying a used car? That is, what and how should be checked or tested?

[bungsai]

I'm sure this has been covered many times, make sure you do a search. But here is start

Check the panels, make sure they line up, and the gaps between panels are even, this indicates no major accidents, or at least a good repair job.

Do a revs, or a vehicle encumberance check to ensure the car is not stolen, owing money, or a write off or previous write off.

Check for oil leaks.

Interior should be worn in accordance with the rest of the car. An ITR with a very worn steering wheel and 30,000 km's on the clock would seem a bit sus wouldnt it?

The numbers on the ODO should line up quite well, if they dont, the car may have been wound back.

Drive a few examples of the car you want, so you can get an idea as to how powerful it should be, how it should handle on the road etc.

If you can, take the car to a trusted mechanic and get them to give the car a once over.

[matt]

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47671
here a link to a thread with some good info and links to another.

[Q_ball]

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47671
here a link to a thread with some good info and links to another.
Good stuff!

[RMN15N]

i know this has been covered several times, but i cant stress enough,
honestly, DO NOT buy the first car you see. for example you rock up looking at a civic that was on the add claming to be "IMMACULANT" etc
just because the the car has just been resprayed does not mean that the rest of the car is ok,

for most people, that look at cars usually miss the finer detailings ie;
small rust spots, cracks dents. So be very careful and look out for

Exterior -
pannel damage
pannels line up
no silcon used for quick fixes
should be all one color, unless it has been painted or faded over time
cracks, dents
cv boots,

interior
ROOF lining!
cluster (make sure the numbers all straight as a pole and line up otherwise
like somone has mention earlyer it could be wound back)
clutch pedal if there is a leak from the master clutch cylinder
door trims
dash
check handles for broken pieces
missing interior bits
carpet
boot, ( under boot where spare tyre is) if u have been rear ended

motor
**OIL LEAKS.. (cant stress enough)
seals
check oil
g/b fluid / brake fluid
any bends in the radiator support ( know if it has been hit )

when you test drive it
listen to the car, how it sounds
any crunching in the gears etc etc

Finally call revs to check up on it for previous history,

you may think im over reacting abit, trust me mate.
i did not do those things i mentioned above.

2nd week i had that car the motor fecked up on me i had to get a new one cost me 2grand, on top of that i had to replace all the interior shit that was broken , lower control arms hubs .. ive spent alot more then the cars worth to get my car back to this condition atm.. i wouldnt want anyone else to fall down that road.

BE AWARE, just because the engine looks cleaner then the queens ass it does not mean it is a new engine, unless he / she has receipts to prove.

hope it helps ya mate.. dont go down the wrong rd.

[Zdster]

cluster (make sure the numbers all straight as a pole and line up otherwise
like somone has mention earlyer it could be wound back)


I agree with you on everything bar this. I know a number of cars (including my own) that dont line up and have never been touched - so something to keep in mind.

[ZeForce]

Take the car to a mechanic for a compression test, which is a good way to check the engines coniditon. Also, removing the valve cover to see if there is any sludge build up that occurs if the engine hasnt been serviced often enough.