Buying & Selling
So you decided to buy used
Money changes hands, the title is signed and you are driving home in your new, used car. Hopefully, you have already taken the car to a reputable mechanic to be checked out and have verified the mileage and service claimed by the owner is legitimate. So what's left to check?
It can never hurt to take a substantial drive in the car to see if there are any problems you may have missed. Taking it around the block is one thing but putting it through the rigors of a daily commute is another. There are many resources on the internet that provide a list of what to check for when buying a used car. Take this list along for the ride with you.
You may wish to have some servicing done on the car. Different makes and models sometimes have specific problems that are well documented. For example, if you bought a car that has been prone to radiator trouble take the car in to a specialist. This way you can avoid any potential problems before they become serious problems. Also, have the brake pads checked. Most brake pads will warn the driver when they are worn by screeching loudly but this may have already taken place before you ever saw the car. Damaging the rotors can be a costly repair so replacing the brake pads for piece of mind is well worth it.
Maintenance on a used car is an important part of buying a pre-owned vehicle. Most new cars come with warranties but this is not the case with used cars. It pays to be diligent in the early months after buying a used car so you can catch any problems in the early stages.
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