What to look for in a Used Car

By Brian Klaubert

Many people continue to look to late model used cars as an alternative to the high prices of a brand new vehicle. Buying a two to three year old car can be a great way to eliminate that initial 30-40% depreciation that occurs in the early stages of a vehicle’s life.

Where to look is a first consideration. I would suggest buying a used car from a reputable new car dealer. We have seen more people that were taken advantage of by the used-car-only lots than with the new car dealerships. In either case, it is a buyer-beware market. Private party sales have almost no recourse, and private party sellers usually want as much money as a dealer.

The first step in assessing the car of your choice should be the internet title search companies, like Car Fax. These services usually charge between $25 - $40 to return any information available about previous title holders and major insurance claims. They cannot know anything about unreported repairs. They also do not have information on manufacturer warranty work or recalls.

The next step should be an inspection by a qualified third party mechanic. Any reputable used car dealer or private party seller should allow you to bring the prospective vehicle to the mechanic of your choice for an inspection. This will usually cost between $60 to $80, and is a very worthwhile investment.

The inspection should look for signs of major accident repair and assess the condition of the most expensive systems on the vehicle. These would be the engine, transmission, and air conditioning. The inspection should include the remaining life on the brakes, the presence of oil leaks or transmission leaks, and the condition of the cooling system. It should also include a road test where operation of the transmission, suspension, alignment, and tire balance are noted.

In Georgia it is the seller’s responsibility to ensure that the vehicle sold has passed the emissions inspection for the current period. Do not buy a car that the Check Engine Light stays on, and verify that this light turns on briefly before starting the engine.

Hopefully the vehicle of your dreams does not have one of these major concerns. What should you do regarding the minor concerns? Wear elements such as tires, brakes, or shocks have an easily determined value. Get a quote for these repairs as part of your inspection. Discuss responsibility for these repairs with the seller upon your return. The seller may be able to perform the work in their own shop, or they may give you a credit for the value of the repair.

Lastly, assume that your used vehicle has had no maintenance except for oil changes. Budget to have the transmission flushed, radiator flushed, and fuel injector/air induction system cleaned immediately after you buy it. These three services are the most cost effective way to extend the life of your vehicle beyond 100,000 miles.

Brian Klaubert owns Christian Brothers Automotive, awarded “Gwinnett’s Favorite Auto Mechanic” for 2004, on Hwy 124 in Dacula.