{"id":121741,"date":"2024-11-13T23:27:25","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T07:27:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=121741"},"modified":"2025-02-07T20:48:25","modified_gmt":"2025-02-08T04:48:25","slug":"tips-for-inspecting-a-used-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/tips-for-inspecting-a-used-car\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Inspecting a Used Car"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 10<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><style>.kadence-column121741_ba5efc-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column121741_ba5efc-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column121741_ba5efc-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column121741_ba5efc-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column121741_ba5efc-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column121741_ba5efc-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column121741_ba5efc-1e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_ba5efc-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column121741_ba5efc-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column121741_ba5efc-1e inner-column-1 qk-look-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-row ultp-block-604a68  qk-main-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-row-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-row-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-column ultp-block-9aa29b\"><div class=\"ultp-column-wrapper\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading121741_d47f13-07, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading121741_d47f13-07[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading121741_d47f13-07\"]{text-align:center;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading121741_d47f13-07 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading121741_d47f13-07[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading121741_d47f13-07\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-family:Inter;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading121741_d47f13-07 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading121741_d47f13-07[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading121741_d47f13-07\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"kt-adv-heading121741_d47f13-07 summary-title wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading121741_d47f13-07\"><span>Summary<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A seller can hide a lot of flaws behind an online listing. One of the most important reasons you should view a secondhand vehicle in person is to catch any hidden issues before it&rsquo;s too late.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check a vehicle&rsquo;s exteriors, interiors, and under its hood when viewing it in person.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be sure to research the vehicle&rsquo;s history, consider its mileage, and ask about its included equipment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Always test drive a secondhand vehicle before buying it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/checklist-for-purchasing-used-car-10-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Purchasing a secondhand vehicle\">Purchasing a secondhand vehicle<\/a> can be a bit overwhelming. There are a ton of things to check for, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/where-is-the-vin-number-on-a-car\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"VIN numbers\">VIN numbers<\/a> to branded titles. We always highly recommend seeing the vehicle in person before forking over cash, but when it comes down to it, what exactly are you looking for in these inspections?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Inspect a Preloved Car<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A seller can hide a lot of flaws behind an online listing. One of the most important reasons you should view a secondhand vehicle in person is to catch any hidden issues before it&rsquo;s too late. If you&rsquo;re not too savvy with vehicles, bring a friend who is. While a professional is always the best choice, work with what you have. Read up on common issues that the model line faces, and be thorough when you see the vehicle in person. Inspecting the vehicle might even reveal safety hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Any flaws you find that weren&rsquo;t mentioned in the listing or during your chats with the seller might earn you some bargaining power in negotiations too.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column121741_9b9686-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column121741_9b9686-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column121741_9b9686-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column121741_9b9686-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column121741_9b9686-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column121741_9b9686-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column121741_9b9686-9e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_9b9686-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column121741_9b9686-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column121741_9b9686-9e kb-section-dir-vertical kb-section-sm-dir-vertical inner-column-1 pro-tip-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:20px;padding-right:32px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(10% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(90% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 .kt-row-layout-top-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:28px;padding-right:16px;padding-bottom:25px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id121741_d3af62-99 alignnone pro-tip-wrap wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-right-golden kt-mobile-layout-right-golden kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col{min-height:45px;}.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:0px;column-gap:0px;}.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column121741_637859-9d{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column121741_637859-9d > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column121741_637859-9d kb-section-dir-horizontal kb-section-md-dir-horizontal inner-column-1 pro-tip-item1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image121741_66d785-61.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image121741_66d785-61 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:45px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image121741_66d785-61.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image121741_66d785-61 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image121741_66d785-61 figure{max-width:45px;}.kb-image121741_66d785-61 .image-is-svg, .kb-image121741_66d785-61 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image121741_66d785-61 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image121741_66d785-61\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column121741_22f54d-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column121741_22f54d-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column121741_22f54d-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column121741_22f54d-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column121741_22f54d-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column121741_22f54d-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column121741_22f54d-8d{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_22f54d-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column121741_22f54d-8d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column121741_22f54d-8d inner-column-2 pro-tip-item2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"protip-desc\">\n\t<div class=\"help-tip\">\n\t\t<p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n    <div class=\"help-caption\">\n        <p>\n            <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\n            One of the &ldquo;buzz phrases&rdquo; you&rsquo;ll hear if you&rsquo;re buying the car from a man is if he says, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not a mechanic,&rdquo; and that usually means he&rsquo;s hoping for plausible deniability and knows there&rsquo;s something you may discover later that he didn&rsquo;t tell you. Always be wary when you hear that.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How To Inspect a Used Car<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So what should you be looking out for exactly during a physical inspection? You&rsquo;ll want to start with exteriors and move on to interiors, but here are some specifics you should keep an eye on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Exterior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, a vehicle&rsquo;s exteriors can tell you a lot about its current state. Other times, it might just be hiding glaring flaws. Here&rsquo;s what to look out for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Body Condition<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Some things are obvious; some, not so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check for scratches, dents, and rust all over the vehicle&rsquo;s body (these are obvious and easy to see). Make sure the vehicle&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/body-panel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"body panels\">body panels<\/a> are all aligned (you may not spot this if you don&rsquo;t look carefully). And make sure the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/door-glass\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"glass\">glass<\/a> in the windows and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/windshield\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"windshields\">windshields<\/a> is crack-free (this is easy to spot). Sometimes a short crack will grow into a long crack, so be very careful about ignoring what may seem like minor cracks, particularly if they start at the edge of the glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check to see if the windshield is &ldquo;sand pitted&rdquo; so that you can&rsquo;t see through it well if the sun is bright and at an angle. You might need to pay attention to this while test driving and making turns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the paint job is important, also check the areas that aren&rsquo;t easily repainted. Also keep an eye out for mismatched paint colors, in case they&rsquo;re a sign of an undisclosed repair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Open all the doors and look carefully for any stickers that might indicate that the vehicle is a salvage rebuild or that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/speedometer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"speedometer\">speedometer<\/a> has been replaced. On older vehicles, a red tenths digit means the speedo has been replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Open all the doors and look carefully for any stickers that might indicate that the vehicle is a salvage rebuild or that the speedometer has been replaced. On older vehicles, a red tenths digit means the speedo has been replaced.<\/p>\n<cite><em>&ndash;&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/richardmccuistian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\">Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lights<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Test all the lights, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/headlight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"headlights\">headlights<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/tail-light\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"tail lights\">tail lights<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/fog-light\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"fog lights\">fog lights<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/puddle-light\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"puddle lights\">puddle lights<\/a>. Having a friend outside to confirm the lights are behaving properly can be a real help. All the light lenses and reflectors should be intact and undamaged. Look for moisture in the lights or excessively fogged headlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tires<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You can check a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/simpletire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"vehicle&rsquo;s tire\">vehicle&rsquo;s tire<\/a> condition and tread depth using a quarter. If you slot it into a tire&rsquo;s grooves, the tire should cover part of Washington&rsquo;s head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If it doesn&rsquo;t cover his head at all, that means you&rsquo;ll need to replace the tires and add that to the vehicle&rsquo;s price when computing how much your secondhand ride will cost you. Using the quarter, you can check the tread depth on all the tires. If the tires aren&rsquo;t wearing down evenly, it could indicate alignment or suspension issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look at the age of the tires. Good looking tires can be expired and not safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-info-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"tire info and date code\" class=\"wp-image-124524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-info-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-info-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-info-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-info-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-info-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-info.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There are people driving around on tires that are beyond their useful life. The tire in this photo came new on a 2016 F150 with very low mileage, but the truck and the tires are both 7 years old at the time this photo was taken. Notice the &ldquo;2416&rdquo; date code, which means the tire was manufactured during the 24th week of 2016. This tire looks brand new but will still need replacing. Old tires can lose their tread without warning. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"356\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-tread-depth-gauge-1024x356.jpg\" alt=\"image of a car tire tread depth gauge\" class=\"wp-image-124525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-tread-depth-gauge-1024x356.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-tread-depth-gauge-300x104.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-tread-depth-gauge-768x267.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-tread-depth-gauge-150x52.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/tire-tread-depth-gauge.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">On the other hand, you could get a tread depth gauge and use it to measure the tread, both on the inside edge and the outside edge of the tire and write down your readings. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Suspension<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Check if the vehicle sits evenly at sitting level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"754\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ride-height-diagram-1024x754.jpg\" alt=\"diagram of a ride height\" class=\"wp-image-124526\" style=\"width:837px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ride-height-diagram-1024x754.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ride-height-diagram-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ride-height-diagram-768x566.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ride-height-diagram-150x111.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ride-height-diagram.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Diagram showing proper ride height | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With the front tires straight and the vehicle on level ground, use a tape measure and take a reading rim to the fender well on all four corners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Side to side should be the same on front and rear, but rear may be a bit more than the front on pickup trucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Walk around and push the vehicle&rsquo;s corners to jounce the suspension (see this 10 second <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/YB0kgolh9co\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"video\">video<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the vehicle rebounds once and doesn&rsquo;t bounce, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"shock absorbers\">shock absorbers<\/a> should be in good shape. If it keeps bouncing, the shocks are worn out. You can also look with a flashlight (if you can see them) to see if the shocks are leaking oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tug the top of each tire back and forth. If you hear clunking sounds or feel the wheels wobble oddly while you tug, it&rsquo;s likely due to bad <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/wheel-bearing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"wheel bearings\">wheel bearings<\/a> or suspension joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trunk and Doors<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Check the trunk and doors to make sure they open and close properly. If the VIN sticker is on the driver&rsquo;s door rather than the door post, check and make sure it&rsquo;s the same as the VIN that is on the plate under the windshield. If not, that door has been replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/hood-and-trunk-seal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"weatherstripping\">weatherstripping<\/a> should also be intact. Don&rsquo;t forget to look inside the vehicle&rsquo;s trunk to check for water damage or even pests. Roaches and ants like cars once they get a foothold and they can be hard to get rid of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Interior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you&rsquo;re done checking the exteriors, it&rsquo;s time to look at the interiors. Remember, you&rsquo;ll be spending hours in the vehicle&rsquo;s cabin, so you want it to be comfy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sit in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/seat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"seats\">seats<\/a> and see if you feel any rotten foam or broken springs. If the previous owner was very heavy, the seat might have more wear than you&rsquo;ll be comfortable with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Odor<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep your nose sharp when opening the vehicle&rsquo;s door. Remove any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/air-freshener\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"air fresheners\">air fresheners<\/a> to make sure they aren&rsquo;t masking any incriminating odors. Moldy or musty smells in the vehicle&rsquo;s cabin could mean the vehicle has some hidden water damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s very difficult to get rid of cigarette smoke too, so if the cabin smells strongly of nicotine, be ready for an uphill cleaning battle if you decide to buy the vehicle. If it smells like dogs, you&rsquo;ll notice that right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seats and Upholstery<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Check for any suspicious stains on the upholstery. Check for tears in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/upholstery-fabric\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"leather or cloth\">leather or cloth<\/a>. Be sure to check under any present <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/seat-cover\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"seat covers\">seat covers<\/a>. Check that the seats are comfortable and the foam isn&rsquo;t worn down. See if the seat features work. Look under the seats to see if there are any old french fries or petrified apple cores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trim and Headliner<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The vehicle&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/headliner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"headliner\">headliner<\/a> shouldn&rsquo;t be sagging or stained. It might indicate a leak if the roof is showing signs of water damage. Or it might just mean the headliner needs replacing, because this happens with age even if there&rsquo;s no water leak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the vehicle comes with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/sunroof\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"sunroof\">sunroof<\/a> or moonroof, it should open and close properly with a good seal. Shine a flashlight on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/convertible-top\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"convertible tops\">convertible tops<\/a> to check for damage and operate the top to make sure it works the way it should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check other pieces of trim for yellowing and sun damage as well. Dash cracks went away back in the early 1990s when padded vinyl was replaced with hard plastic, but have a look anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Controls<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>All the dashboard controls and power features should be working. Look at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/gauges-meters-and-monitors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"gauges and indicators\">gauges and indicators<\/a>, as well as the different systems. Automatic windows and locks should engage as necessary, and the features advertised should be working fine.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column121741_8fd8e9-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column121741_8fd8e9-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column121741_8fd8e9-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column121741_8fd8e9-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column121741_8fd8e9-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column121741_8fd8e9-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column121741_8fd8e9-85{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_8fd8e9-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column121741_8fd8e9-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column121741_8fd8e9-85 kb-section-dir-vertical kb-section-sm-dir-vertical inner-column-1 pro-tip-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:20px;padding-right:32px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(10% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(90% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 .kt-row-layout-top-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:28px;padding-right:16px;padding-bottom:25px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id121741_26f9d5-09 alignnone pro-tip-wrap wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-right-golden kt-mobile-layout-right-golden kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col{min-height:45px;}.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:0px;column-gap:0px;}.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column121741_deb655-93{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column121741_deb655-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column121741_deb655-93 kb-section-dir-horizontal kb-section-md-dir-horizontal inner-column-1 pro-tip-item1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image121741_955b16-93.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image121741_955b16-93 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:45px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image121741_955b16-93.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image121741_955b16-93 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image121741_955b16-93 figure{max-width:45px;}.kb-image121741_955b16-93 .image-is-svg, .kb-image121741_955b16-93 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image121741_955b16-93 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image121741_955b16-93\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column121741_60a184-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column121741_60a184-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column121741_60a184-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column121741_60a184-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column121741_60a184-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column121741_60a184-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column121741_60a184-4b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_60a184-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column121741_60a184-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column121741_60a184-4b inner-column-2 pro-tip-item2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"protip-desc\">\n\t<div class=\"help-tip\">\n\t\t<p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n    <div class=\"help-caption\">\n        <p>\n            <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\n            Sometimes the back windows won&rsquo;t work because they&rsquo;re stuck in their rubber tracks from non-use, but if you don&rsquo;t ride back there it might not bother you for the rear windows not to work. This might also be a point you could make for a lower price from the seller.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Turn on the A\/C and make sure it cools the way it should and pay attention to all the fan speeds. Listen to the blower. If it vibrates, it may have something caught in its squirrel cage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pedals<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s good to check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/brake-pedal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"brake\">brake<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/accelerator-pedal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"gas\">gas<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/clutch-pedal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"clutch pedals\">clutch pedals<\/a> for wear and tear. If the vehicle&rsquo;s seller is boasting about low mileage and the pedals are worn through, there&rsquo;s a good chance they&rsquo;re lying. If the pedals are brand-new though, it might just mean they replaced the old ones recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Notice clutch play and brake pedal height, and with the car running, press and hold the brake to see if it slowly falls away under your foot, which would indicate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/brake-master-cylinder\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"master cylinder\">master cylinder<\/a> issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sound and Entertainment System<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/radio-control-module\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"vehicle&rsquo;s radio\">vehicle&rsquo;s radio<\/a> should be working on all channels. If there&rsquo;s a CD player, check that it can load and eject a disc. Check for connectivity and if the entertainment system works with your smartphone or other tech. Older vehicle entertainment systems might not connect well with newer smartphones, so check online for potential problems and solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check the sound coming from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/speaker\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"speakers\">speakers<\/a> as well. If the music coming out sounds garbled or broken, it&rsquo;s possible that one of the speakers is busted. Of course, if you never listen to the radio, you might not attach much significance to it, and audiophiles will usually replace the sound system anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Under the Hood<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;re confident in your automotive repair knowledge, you can also check for issues under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/hood\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"hood\">hood<\/a>. The seller likely won&rsquo;t let you disassemble anything, but you can at least poke around. Here are some things even a DIY beginner can look at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oil and Other Fluid Levels<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If the vehicle has a dipstick, use it to check the oil level and condition. If there&rsquo;s burnt oil or coolant in the oil reservoir, you&rsquo;ll likely end up facing more problems later on if you buy the vehicle. Check all the fluid levels while you&rsquo;re there, to include the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/coolant-antifreeze\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"coolant\">coolant<\/a> (notice if it&rsquo;s rusty), the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/brake-fluid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"brake fluid\">brake fluid<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/power-steering-fluid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"power steering\">power steering<\/a> (and listen for whining while the steering is being operated).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remove the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/oil-filler-cap\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"oil filler cap\">oil filler cap<\/a> and look with a flashlight as good as you can to see if the engine&rsquo;s innards are coated with sludge.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column121741_9870cf-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column121741_9870cf-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column121741_9870cf-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column121741_9870cf-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column121741_9870cf-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column121741_9870cf-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column121741_9870cf-fe{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_9870cf-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column121741_9870cf-fe > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column121741_9870cf-fe kb-section-dir-vertical kb-section-sm-dir-vertical inner-column-1 pro-tip-widget\"><div 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alignnone pro-tip-wrap wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-right-golden kt-mobile-layout-right-golden kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{min-height:45px;}.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:0px;column-gap:0px;}.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column121741_9a9d79-a9 kb-section-dir-horizontal kb-section-md-dir-horizontal inner-column-1 pro-tip-item1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image121741_8b69dc-fa.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image121741_8b69dc-fa .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:45px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image121741_8b69dc-fa.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image121741_8b69dc-fa .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image121741_8b69dc-fa figure{max-width:45px;}.kb-image121741_8b69dc-fa .image-is-svg, .kb-image121741_8b69dc-fa .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image121741_8b69dc-fa .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image121741_8b69dc-fa\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column121741_5b1c73-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column121741_5b1c73-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column121741_5b1c73-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column121741_5b1c73-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column121741_5b1c73-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column121741_5b1c73-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column121741_5b1c73-2e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column121741_5b1c73-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column121741_5b1c73-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column121741_5b1c73-2e inner-column-2 pro-tip-item2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"protip-desc\">\n\t<div class=\"help-tip\">\n\t\t<p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n    <div class=\"help-caption\">\n        <p>\n            <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\n           A &ldquo;mom and pop&rdquo; car may look like a cream puff but have lots of sludge that will melt and break loose when you drive the car on a trip, drain into the oil pan, and clog the oil pump pickup screen. It has happened on cars that were literally perfect in every other way.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transmission Fluid<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/automatic-transmission-fluid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Transmission fluid\">Transmission fluid<\/a> is often overlooked. If it&rsquo;s dark and smelly, the vehicle may have pulled heavy loads and cooked the fluid, which deposits varnish in places where it&rsquo;ll break loose and cause problems if the transmission has never been serviced until you get the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Look Underneath<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a look under the car and look for obvious damage, leaking shock absorbers, and fluid leaks of any kind, even if there is no fluid on the ground underneath the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Belts and Hoses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Notice any swollen hoses that look like they need replacing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a look at the vehicle&rsquo;s different belts. If any of them look worn down, you&rsquo;ll likely need to have them replaced soon. Notice the pulleys to see if any of the plastic ones are showing a lot of wear. If the fan is driven by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/water-pump\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"water pump\">water pump<\/a>, feel it to see if the water pump bearings are loose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the belt tensioner with your flashlight while the engine is running with the A\/C on and see if the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/drive-belt-tensioner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"tensioner\">tensioner<\/a> is bouncing (see this <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/SwpX0d8IKec\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"2 minute video\">2 minute video<\/a>). It shouldn&rsquo;t be bouncing; if it is, it needs replacing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Important Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There&rsquo;s some other important information you should gather when deciding whether or not to buy a secondhand vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Car History<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Run a proper <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-perform-a-vehicle-history-check\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"background check on the vehicle\">background check on the vehicle<\/a>. Retrieve its VIN and ask the seller for its service history so you know what you&rsquo;re getting into. Also check online for any recalls for this particular vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mileage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Older vehicles with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/what-is-good-gas-mileage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"mileages\">mileages<\/a> exceeding 120,000 miles tend to require more frequent and expensive maintenance. More modern vehicles tend to have a lifespan of around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/200k-is-the-new-100k-why-high-mileage-vehicles-are-increasing-in-popularity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"200,000 miles\">200,000 miles<\/a>. Keep this in mind when buying a secondhand vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Test Drive the Car<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Always test drive a secondhand vehicle before buying it. If you have limited knowledge of the vehicle&rsquo;s systems, you&rsquo;ll still likely feel when something&rsquo;s wrong while driving. Listen for concerning sounds and test the A\/C and electronics during this test drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now you know what things to check when buying a used car. Putting in the time and effort when inspecting a secondhand vehicle can save you a lot of money and headaches down the road, so be sure to do it right.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 10<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>Purchasing a secondhand vehicle can be a bit overwhelming. There are a ton of things to check for, from VIN&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/tips-for-inspecting-a-used-car\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":122133,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[267,3768],"tags":[3172,2151,3020,3609,1060,3945,3055,1669,1278,191,3041,151,1234,3073,3281,911,1297,1292,3270,1279,1188,77],"ppma_author":[2607,2985],"class_list":{"0":"post-121741","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-guides","8":"category-lifestyle","9":"tag-accelerator-pedal","10":"tag-automatic-transmission-fluid-2","11":"tag-body-panel","12":"tag-brake-fluid-2","13":"tag-brake-master-cylinder","14":"tag-brake-pedal","15":"tag-clutch-pedal","16":"tag-coolant-antifreeze-2","17":"tag-fog-light-2","18":"tag-headlight","19":"tag-headliner","20":"tag-hood","21":"tag-oil-filler-cap","22":"tag-power-steering-fluid","23":"tag-puddle-light","24":"tag-seat","25":"tag-seat-cover-2","26":"tag-shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly-2","27":"tag-sunroof","28":"tag-tail-light-2","29":"tag-water-pump-2","30":"tag-windshield","31":"entry"},"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Tips for Inspecting a Used Car - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Buying a used car goes beyond checking if it\u2019s pretty. Here\u2019s what to look for when viewing a secondhand vehicle in person.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/tips-for-inspecting-a-used-car\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Tips for Inspecting a Used Car - In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Buying a used car goes beyond checking if it\u2019s pretty. Here\u2019s what to look for when viewing a secondhand vehicle in person.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/tips-for-inspecting-a-used-car\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-11-14T07:27:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-08T04:48:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/buying-used-car.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/tips-for-inspecting-a-used-car\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/tips-for-inspecting-a-used-car\\\/\"},\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"$id\":\"4\",\"name\":\"CarParts.com Research Team\",\"jobTitle\":\"Expert Automotive Writer\",\"description\":\"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. 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