Car inspection basics

[bududz]

Hi again guys!

Since its our 1st time to purchase a vehicle, we're starting from scratch. Looking for a financing group, and canvassing for options we can buy. Another question i'd like to ask is:

Can you guys give us the basics of inspecting a car?
Like:

1. What stuff do we check? (Engine, Interior, Exterior, Tires)
2. How do we check them?
3. Important questions to ask?
4.Tips on how to investigate the reliability and worthiness of the car?
5. And of course, papano tumawad resonably?

Thanks again!

[aceshark]

Hi again guys!

Since its our 1st time to purchase a vehicle, we're starting from scratch. Looking for a financing group, and canvassing for options we can buy. Another question i'd like to ask is:

Can you guys give us the basics of inspecting a car?
Like:

1. What stuff do we check? (Engine, Interior, Exterior, Tires)
2. How do we check them?
3. Important questions to ask?
4.Tips on how to investigate the reliability and worthiness of the car?
5. And of course, papano tumawad resonably?

Thanks again!

Bnew ba or 2nd Hand?

and depende kung saan gagamitin (madalas tarmac or off-raod), gano kalaki family nyo and siguro isama mo na rin budget and engine preferences (diesel or petrol).

[OTEP]

Is this for purchasing a pre-owned vehicle or for inspecting your own vehicle?

When you road test a vehicle, you subject it to different situations and drive it close to its limits.

When we did the road test on the Pajero five years ago (reminscing mode), we did a full throttle acceleration to around 80kph from a dead stop. Also did a full brake test from speed. Took corners as fast and as safely as we could. Checked how the vehicle reacts during side to side maneuvers. Due to lack of any reasonably bad roads we drove the Pajero over humps without slowing down or braking.

Fiddled with everything in the cockpit to see if everything works. That included the shift-on-the-fly 4x4 system.

Needless to say, the seller was happy to get back to the used car lot. Afterwhich, we left the vehicle idling and the a/c on full to check for overheating and if the a/c turns warm during idling.

***Initial vehicle inspection included a quick visual check then zooming in on details like body panels, tires, glass, trim, etc. Checking for crash damage and any signs of faulty repairs. Engine visual check, see all fluids, check for leaks (look at the floor, too). Go under vehicle, check for leaks, off-road damage, anything that looks out of the ordinary.

See if there are signs of previous modifications (sound systems, engine enhancements, etc.). And if these mods were removed, see that they put stuff back together properly.

[Flagg]

Sir otep's pretty much complete except:

Due to lack of any reasonably bad roads we drove the Pajero over humps without slowing down or braking.

I wouldn't do this hump thing, cuz if I was the seller, I'd throw you out... (Peace sir otep)

Fiddled with everything in the cockpit to see if everything works. That included the shift-on-the-fly 4x4 system.

Needless to say, the seller was happy to get back to the used car lot. Afterwhich, we left the vehicle idling and the a/c on full to check for overheating and if the a/c turns warm during idling.

***Initial vehicle inspection included a quick visual check then zooming in on details like body panels, tires, glass, trim, etc. Checking for crash damage and any signs of faulty repairs. Engine visual check, see all fluids, check for leaks (look at the floor, too). Go under vehicle, check for leaks, off-road damage, anything that looks out of the ordinary.

To do the above engine check, try to get the car on a lifter, most gas stations have those for a fee (kung charming ka, for free ).

See if there are signs of previous modifications (sound systems, engine enhancements, etc.). And if these mods were removed, see that they put stuff back together properly.

Add ko lang: ask innocently if the car's been lowered... make it look like yun yung hilig mo para ma-off-guard yung seller, cuz lowering damages a lot of suspension stuff as well as engine mounts.

If you're looking at an A/T, pakinggan mo yung shifting. Very suspicious yung may additional clunking sounds after the shift. Dapat di rin malakas ang shift jerk. Sa M/T naman, dapat medyo may feeling of going into a slot when you shift gears, kung mushy na (yung tipong in-gear sya but you can wag the shifter na parang neutral), leave...

HTH

[aceshark]

isama mo na loose and mis-aligned door mouldings. signs yan ng past body repairs. check the odometer, kadalasan daw kasi kapag hindi rin derecho yung numbers, inurong na daw yung reading (tip sa akin ng used car salesman). importante yung previous 2 posts regarding the lifter. dun mo kasi makikita lahat ng may problema from the leaks (engine, shocks), mga tama (kung maraming sayad malamang di maingat may-ari) bushings and mga rust build-ups.

[bududz]

We're planning to buy a 2nd hand car, preferably 1.6 Li Gasoline, Manual of course. Because we might go home to the province (Pangasinan) every once in a while. Our budget is 200K. I also have concerns about what model to buy because of the Aircon thingie from LTO. The one that bans vehicles with CFC based Aircons. Any insights guys? Oh and buy the way, Thanks for all the replies, Its very overwhelming seeing car enthusiasts taking good care of newbie enthusiasts such as us...