10 Keys to Buying a Used Car

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Everything My Dad Didn't Tell Me!
This should be required reading in High School!

Do you want a Speaker at your High School? Do you want the hard questions answered? Speakers available for groups and schools at no charge. 10 tips on Buying a Car below The automobile is a very important means of transportation for almost every American today. Yet statistics show that only about 40 percent of Americans can afford to buy a new car to serve their transportation needs.

That's why many people find used cars to be an excellent value, providing quality transportation at a price that can be more easily afforded. With sales of more than 18 million used cars a year totaling some $86.5 billion, there's no question that a used car has value.

But many people don't know where to turn to ensure they're getting top value for their money, what to look for in a used car or how to protect themselves when selling their vehicle.

Always sign and date the title when you sell an Oregon vehicle. The best protection for a seller is to mail the signed title in to DMV with the proper money and an application for Title so you know without a doubt the car is taken out of your name. The second best thing is to fill out a DMV form 735-6890. You can do this on the web at https://www.odot.state.or.us/dmv/SSL/SellerNotice/. If your vehicle is abandoned later and towed, and neither action has been taken, you will face a large tow and storage charge even if you can prove you sold the car and to whom.

The Oregon and National Independent Automobile Dealers Associations, representing thousands of the top used car dealers throughout Oregon and the United States, believes that the better informed you are, the more satisfied you will be in your used car buying experience.

OIADA and NIADA wants people who buy from OIADA and NIADA members to be pleased with their purchases. The "10 Keys to Buying a Used Car" are designed to help you better evaluate your next used car or truck purchase.

1) Visual Examination - The body should appear even, with no irregular spacing between the body joints. All doors, and the trunk lid, should open and close with ease. Check for rust. Check the tires, and also look for signs of brake fluid leaking on the inside of the tires, You may want to put the car on a lift to check for serious body damage, indicated by weld marks, spacers, or a bent frame. Check for more than normal oil leaks and examine the muffler, tailpipe and exhaust pipe.

2) Under the Hood - Check all hoses and examine the battery for leaks. Check the oil dip stick; if the oil is dark and dirty, the car may not have been properly maintained. Belts should be checked to make sure they are not worn and cracked. Also, if the car has automatic transmission, check the transmission fluid to see if it is dark colored or has a burned color.

3) Electrical System - Start the engine and check all accessories one at a time as follows: the gauges, instruments, radio, heater, air conditioner, and windshield wipers. Blow the horn. Then check the dome light, headlights, parking lights, turn signals and back-up lights.

4) Trunk - Open the trunk and check the spare tire. If it is worn unevenly or is cupped, something may be wrong with the front end. Make sure the car has a jack, and that it is in good working order.

5) Springs And Shocks - Push down on the corners of the car, front and back. If the car bounces up and down several times, the shock absorbers are worn. Stand back some distance from the car and see if it is level. If one corner is lower than another, one of the springs may be weak.

6) Interior - Examine the upholstery, safety belts and carpeting; if the seats have covers, look under them. Badly worn carpeting or upholstery may be a sign of heavy usage. Turn on the ignition and check warning lights on the dash. Also check the brake pedal for free play.

7) The Engine - Before beginning step seven, be sure you have permission from the dealer. Unqualified persons racing an engine can cause damage. With the dealer's permission, race the engine a few quick bursts. Watch for excessive smoke out of the rear end, and if a loud tapping noise occurs, have it checked out by a qualified mechanic. A light tick or rapping in the top of the engine is not usually a serious problem, but a rapping noise could indicate a bad bearing. To check for a burnt valve or tune-up problem, put the brakes on and drop it into drive. If it idles roughly, there may be a problem. To check for abnormal engine wear, put the brakes on securely and pull the PCV valve. If there is no heavy smoke or a small amount uniformly coming out, it's okay. If the smoke is heavy or puffing, it indicates excessive wear.

8) Drive Shaft And Rear End - If possible, take the car out on the road, examining the drive shaft and rear end. In some cases, the dealer's location, motor vehicle licensing laws or insurance may prohibit a road test. You may have to depend on the dealer's warranty or guarantee if the test is not permissible. If a road test is permissible, drive the car at a speed of approximately 35 miles per hour. Listen for rear end whines. If the car bounces or shakes, it's usually caused by tires out of balance. If the shaking is accompanied by an unpleasant droning sensation in your ears, it could indicate a draft shaft or universal joint problem.

9) Steering System - Find a straight, level stretch of road or an expressway, and hold the steering wheel lightly. If the car consistently pulls to the left or right, you have a problem. When rounding a corner, the steering wheel should turn smoothly and have a tendency to return smoothly to its straight ahead position.

10) The Brakes - For the final step, first make certain there is no one behind you. Then, while driving between 30 and 40 miles per hour, apply the brakes three or four times. If you get a consistent pull, either left or right, there is a problem. Finally, slow down to speed of about five miles per hour and apply slight pressure on the brake pedal. If a humping or intermittent surge is felt, the drums or rotors could be out of round.

Your used car or truck purchase is a big decision, so don't hurry into it. You have the right to make sure of what you're getting.

The members of the Oregon and National Independent Automobile Dealers Association throughout Oregon and the United States wish you the best in your next car buying venture. And you can be assured that if you're dealing with a professional dealer, like the one displaying OIADA and NIADA symbols, they'll welcome your questions and assist you in any way possible.

We invite you to go to the Member Web Sites page to access OIADA Member Internet Sites.

info@oiada.com / 1.800.447.0302 fax: 503.364.7331 / 1475 Capitol NE - Salem, OR 97303