What to Check When Buying a Used Car

There are many things to check when buying a used car, but we can help you shop with confidence. In almost every case, you’ll want to start by checking a vehicle’s history report—but you should also take a close look at the vehicle’s suspension, tires, interior, engine, and frame! This is just the start, so find out what to check when buying a used car before you visit our lot in Annapolis.

Five Things to Check When Buying a Used Car

Before you ever take a test drive or look at a vehicle in person, you should do your research to make sure that you’ve chosen a reliable model! It’s relatively easy to find information on a given model’s predicted reliability, and you can also research similar models to find out how they’ve held up over time.

Once you’ve found a used car with good mileage that passes your initial tests and fits your budget, visit the vehicle in person and consult this list of things to check when buying a used car:

1. Vehicle History Report

If a vehicle has been well maintained, it’s likely to last much longer than an otherwise comparable vehicle with a spotty service history. It’s a good idea to avoid vehicles that have acquired structural damage from accidents, as they will tend to accumulate wear and tear more quickly than other models.

2. Suspension and Tires

If you know how to inspect a vehicle’s tires, you can learn a lot about how a vehicle handles. Small differences in tread depth are ok, but strange patterns that vary between the tires should be observed with caution, as they may indicate serious issues. 

Tires can tell you a lot about a vehicle, and if there are odd differences between the treadwear on each tire, it’s likely that there’s some underlying issue with how the car steers or handles. Small differences in treadwear are ok; the vehicle may just be overdue for wheel alignment or tire rotation. It’s also a good idea to push down on each of the vehicle’s four corners to see how the suspension functions. If it feels off, you might want to look elsewhere.

3. Interior

Sings of water damage or leakage can be serious red flags. Use your eyes and nose to inspect the cabin—you might smell mold before you can see it. On your test drive, play around with as many features as you can. Everything should be working properly, but features that aren’t functioning as they should might dissuade you from purchasing the vehicle. They might also give you leverage in any price negotiations.

4. Under the Hood

A smell of burnt oil beneath the hood is a clear indication that something is wrong with the vehicle’s performance. Sludge beneath the oil cap can also be an indication of a less-than-stellar maintenance history. When you start up the vehicle, listen for strange noises and watch for smoke. You shouldn’t notice either with a good used vehicle! You should also check the fluid levels, and you might request that low levels are rectified before your purchase.

5. Around/Under the Vehicle

Before your test drive, check beneath the vehicle to see if there are any leaks or pooling fluids. While you’re down there, check out the frame to look for signs of rust. The former issues will need repairing, and rust is a long-term issue that may cause the vehicle to expire prematurely.

When In Doubt, Have the Vehicle Checked Out!

The experts at our service center would be happy to look over any vehicle that you’d like to purchase—even if you’re buying from a private seller or another dealership in the Crofton area. Of course, you can also take one of our used vehicles to an independent mechanic if you so choose! We’re very confident in the used vehicles that we sell, and we want you to be just as confident when you drive off of our Annapolis lot!

Find Your Next Vehicle at Land Rover Annapolis

You’ve seen what to check when buying a used car, so don’t wait to put your new knowledge to use! Start exploring our current pre-owned vehicle specials or contact us to schedule a test drive today! We’re easy to reach from anywhere near Edgewater or Severna Park.