Buying a used car? See a mechanic first

It can be quite expensive to buy a car; for that reason, many people opt to buy used cars. That can make a lot of sense, as new cars experience tremendous depreciation the minute that they leave the dealer’s lot. If you buy a late model used car, you can get a much better value, provided that there is nothing seriously wrong with the vehicle. That can be a problem for many buyers, as the lemon laws of most states do not cover used cars. Some states require used car dealers to offer a limited warranty, but many states allow dealers to sell used cars on an as-is basis. That can be catastrophic; if the transmission goes out on the way home from the dealer’s lot, you will have to pay for all of the repairs yourself.

Smart used car buyers know that the best way to circumvent this problem is to have an experienced mechanic examine the car before purchase. It’s not good enough to look it over yourself or have someone you know who “knows cars” kick the tires; you need someone to give it a thorough examination before you buy. There can be all kinds of hidden damage that may be invisible to all but the most experienced of observers, and some such problems could cause fatal accidents under some circumstances.

There are a number of things that should be examined by a mechanic prior to buying a used car:

• Look for water damage - Thousands of cars were completely ruined by floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina. Many of these cars have found their way to other states. A replacement of the upholstery and carpet may hide the obvious damage, but the engine could be ruined without the damage being visible.
• Tires, brakes and suspension systems should be examined for safety issues.
• The radiator and oil should be checked for contaminants. Water in the oil pan, for instance, could indicate a serious engine problem.
• Air conditioners should be checked out, especially on older models that are much more expensive to repair.

It may cost a bit of time and money to have a mechanic check out your car before you buy, but it will be time and money well spent if they find a problem that might have caused an accident or cost thousands of dollars to repair. Sometimes, the mechanic will simply say, “Don’t buy this car.” If that’s the case, you should simply take it back to the dealer and tell them that you have declined to make a purchase. It is far better to do that than to waste your money buying a car that may be dangerous or a money pit that will spend all of its time in the shop.

Many, if not most, used car dealers are perfectly honest people. But the risks of buying a car become yours the minute you leave the dealer’s lot. Don’t take that chance. Take the car to a mechanic before you buy.

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