BUying a used car

[2fast2furious]

I'm in the market for a used car right now, and I wanted to know the main dangers and pitfalls involved.

Those that have bought before, what are the steps to do in the buying process if you don't want to get caught with a lemon.

I know to do a REVS check, but what else could I do to find if it's got mechanical or accident damage?

[EuroDude]

Used car buying tips
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=36753&vf=11


NRMA CarWise "Top tips to save you trouble"
http://www.nrmacarwise.com.au/usedcar/buyingtips.aspx

* Take a friend or relative when viewing cars privately to help you inspect the car and give you an objective opinion.
* You'll need to book appointments ahead, try to schedule them in daylight hours and when the weather is dry.
* When you buy privately, you do so at your own risk, with minimal recourse once you have paid over your hard-earned cash. Unlike car dealerships, who offer a statutory 3-month warranty, privately you are largely on your own. Make sure you get an NRMA CarWise CarBuyer's Report for some assurance.
* Arrange any finance required before you go shopping. There's nothing like the power to strike a deal today. It could go a long way to help you secure the best price. For more information on NRMA Car Loans, visit www.mynrma.com.au/nrmacarloans or call us on 1300 116 762.
* If there's outstanding finance on the car, it could be repossessed from you after purchase. The REVS check in the NRMA CarBuyer's Report protects you against this risk.
* Protect yourself against the risk of buying a car that has been stolen or illegally repaired after a write-off. See the REVS check in the NRMA CarBuyer's Report.
* Get a mechanical inspection of the car and check for the model's common faults mentioned on your NRMA CarBuyer's Report, as well as more serious mechanical problems that may be hidden from you.
* Check the vehicle's registration is current.
* Ask for any old service bills or RTA pink slips (if over 3 years old) to check that the odometer and dates match.
* Ask for the service book and check it has been kept up-to-date. A car with no service history or records should have a reduced value.
* Tyre and wheel condition is a visible indicator of how well a car has been maintained. Check all four tyres for wheel damage, tread depth and consistent wear across the tyre.
* Put a piece of white paper over the exhaust and get your friend to rev the engine. Excessive soot will give an indication of engine wear in conjunction with the odometer.
* Check all electrical functions, as well as the interior soft and hard trim. Any defects increase your bargaining power to achieve a fair price.
* Don't settle on the first car you see. Make sure you look around to get the best deal.

[hai]

Ask them if you could take it to a real mechanics to do a full mechanic check to find out its accidents/leaks/worthy/ capable of fixing.. should be roughly about 50 bucks or so. better off giving it a try then not at all n never know whats in ur hands once its yours!

Also as said above rev's ; wouldnt wanna buy a car that some1s got debt on it would ya..

gL cheers

[xntrik]

shit people usually forget to check:

ecu.
rails.
power windows.
tint.
clutch / brake(meat) / accelerator pedals.
ask the owner what fuel he runs.
tyres.
aircon. (might need gassing)
airvents.
heater.
glove box (some are broken)
carpet.
subframe.
lca's.
wipers.
coolant.
oil. (black=fail)
exhaust smoke (if any)
timing (if advanced)

logbooks are great. but receipts to go with it are greater.
so you know whats been changed/what needs changing.

cause lemons are tasty.
all those problems may sound small.
but will end up costing you.
or might lead to bigger problems.

[Limbo]

dept of fair trading also have a buying guide, have a quick read of that also.

[simonnowis]

on the checking of the what fuel he runs, sorta off the topic lol.
but i heard you can tell if they use premium unleaded or normal unleaded buy looking at the rear muffler tip.
anyone heard of this?

[AsH_]

look for leaks around the brake booster and proportional brake valve.

out your finger into the radiator and look for sludge.

check condition of tyres.

no cracks in windscreen.

[<4n'D>]

REVS check etc dont tell you everything. sometimes its best to just get a mechanic or friend who really knows the car youre selling well to have a thorough look to see if anything is wrong with the car. it'll give you a fair idea about what needs to be fixed with the car and save you a lot of hassle and unwanted spending in the future

[B16bcivic]

Used hondas are always good.

to check, turn on engine if it chokes, rev it up to its limit. take car for a drive when cold, let car wait for a while till its hot aswel then take it for another run. and it will tell you if the car is running properly with no mechanicly problems or not. thats all you need ot know. don't need to go technically for checking a used honda.

Oh one thing if your going ot buy a honda, buy it form a old lady owner, they don't trash it like youngsters. But depending tho, I don't trash mine i only drag race with it.