Things To Consider When Buying A Second Hand Car

**specialist1124** · January 16th, 2007 04:48 PM

Hi,

I am a new member in this community. Also, when it comes to car matter, I don't have much knowledge since I'm just started loving a car. I already gone some of the threads here about the car comparisons & etc. But still I can't understand the terminologies used. But anyway, I will try to catch up.

I'm planning to buy a second hand car, either toyota corolla or other brands but I don't know what are the things need to be consider before buying. Can anyone give me some advice, tips or hints? Need your help, please...

Thank you very much...

**BoEinG_747** · January 16th, 2007 04:53 PM

sir specialist ...welcome sa tsikot.com

sa ibaba may similar thread box

para sa hinahanap nyo

**specialist1124** · January 16th, 2007 04:59 PM

Sir,

Thanks a lot...

**specialist1124** · January 16th, 2007 05:25 PM

I glanced already the previous threads for my subject above and it was talking about the papers & cash transactions. But how about on the car's appearance or condition? Can somebody give me some tips? Plese...

Thanks a lot...

**BoEinG_747** · January 16th, 2007 06:04 PM

HOW TO CHECK WHEN BUYING USED CARS
1. Car History
It is wise to check a used car history before buying it. Find out the following: Totaled in an accident/salvaged, Flood damage, Odometer rollbacks, Lemon histories, Junked Titles, State emissions inspection results, Lien activity, and/or Vehicle use (taxi, rental, lease, etc.).
2. Engine Rebuilt
Avoid quite new cars (2-3 years old) that already have the engine rebuilt. Normally, an average engine should run at least 240,000km without any major repair. If it needs serious repair after 65,000km, think about quality, such engine was built at the plant. If yu find any engine defect, for example an oil leak or some strong noise, don't let the salesperson to mislead you. He may tell you the leak is "overflow from the recent oil change" or "the noise will disappear later after break in period". Generally defects never disappear by itself.
3. Internal PArts
Try to look inside through the oil filler hole with the engine turned off; if you can see any internal parts there, check their condition. They shouldn't be too dirty (too black). Thin brown coating on the internal parts is permissible If you find internal parts coated with thick black carbon buildup, it means that either the engine oil hasn't been changed for a long time, or the engine has been overheated (Diesel engines, however, are always black inside, but anyway they should not have thick buildup). Mostly such (with thick buildup inside) engines are badly worn regardless of mileage. For example, compare the two images below: the left Mazda' engine hasn't been maintained too well. I think it probably has been overheated. It has run 205,000 km and now needs serious repair. On the right, the Mercedes' engine has been maintained well. It has run 310,000 km and still its condition is very good, and it needs no repair at all.
4. Oil Pressure
Check oil pressure on a cold engine (at least an hour after the engine has been turned off). Start the engine, and look at the low oil pressure warning lamp or oil pressure gauge on the instrument panel. The time between the engine start and the time you note oil pressure at the instrument panel should be no more than 1 - 2 seconds. If this time is longer than 2 seconds, it means that either the oil filter is bad or the engine is too worn. If the low oil pressure warning light goes on while engine is running or idle, or the engine oil pressure gauge indicates too low oil pressure, it also means that the engine is too worn or has some defect.

5. Oil Level
If you find the oil level at "min" or less on the dipstick, then probably this engine burns more oil then permissible. If the engine oil on the dipstick is white or light brown, it most likely means a presence of engine coolant in the oil, which is evidence of an internal engine defect (like blown head gasket). Such defect is common for some V6 and V8 engines. Check the engine thoroughly for oil leaks. The more leaks, the worse the engine. Good engine should be dry.

6. Repairs
If there are evidences that the engine has been repaired with inaccuracy (too much bulging of gaskets, etc.), avoid such cars because quality repair is possible only by very skilled mechanics.

7. Breather Pipe
A good engine has almost dry and relatively clean breather pipe. Try to pull it off and check its condition inside. If you find the breather pipe and its ends are too oily, you may suspect this engine is too worn. The more oil around and inside the breather, the worse the engine's condition. Only a little oil around the breather pipe is admissible for the engine with mileage 180,000-250,000 km.

8. Coolant Level
Check the coolant level in the overflow tank. It should be between the "min" and "max" points. The coolant should not have even a spot of engine oil. It should be clean and transparent; it also may be of green, red, blue or yellow color (depending on the maker). If you find engine oil inside the radiator or expansion tank, it may be evidence of an internal engine defect. Check the radiator and water hoses for leaks. Also check the water pump, it should not have coolant seepage. The radiator should not have any traces of damage.

9. Pipe
If you find dry, black buildup inside the exhaust pipe, it means this car expends more fuel than it should (note, diesel engines usually have more black buildup inside the exhaust pipe). If the buildup is oily, this car consumes too much oil. You'd better avoid it. In good condition, the engine's exhaust pipe should be dry. It may have thin red-brown or gray buildup inside.

10. Engine
Start the engine. Let it idle for 3-5 min. Then ask the car owner to press half way down on the accelerator (to 4500-5000 engine rpm) for 2-3 sec. and check the smoke from the exhaust pipe. If there is blue smoke, the engine consumes more oil than is permissible. Black smoke means the engine expends too much fuel (A little black cloud at the moment of acceleration is permissible for petrol engines, and a little more for diesels). White smoke with a smell of burned oil means very intensive oil consumption. If you see steam after the engine has achieved normal operating temperature, it means there is some cooling system defect. If the engine is cold or has just started, steam or water coming from the exhaust pipe is ok.

11. Aircondition
Switch the air conditioner on. If it's working, its compressor should begin to whirl. Sitting inside the car switch the air conditioner on. The air, blowing out from ventilation outlets should get very cold (not just cool) in few seconds. There should be no strong noises when you switch the air conditioner on.

12. Noise
There shouldn't be any strong noises, knocking or whistling during acceleration or idling.

13. Warning Lights
All the warning lights for low oil pressure, check engine, low oil level, overheating, etc, should go off after the engine is started. If it goes on while driving it means electronic system of your engine has some defect. Usually it refers to emission control system related faults. The mechanic may find the exact reason by scanning the fault codes from the vehicle computer through the "diagnostic" connector with special diagnostic equipment.

**specialist1124** · January 16th, 2007 10:35 PM

Sir,

Thanks for the very good info. With your tips, now I know the do's and don'ts when buying a second hand car.

I really...really appreciate your reply.

Thank you very much Sir.

**blitz122805** · January 16th, 2007 10:57 PM

hi there! im a newbie here as well. THere are a lot of things to learn from these guys and the great thing is they are not hesitant to share what they know. It is a great community. welcome! I bought a second car here myself btw.

**Kristinevm** · January 29th, 2019 11:38 PM

This is incredibly relevant. Thank you for the tips!

**lala31** · February 28th, 2019 03:54 AM

Originally Posted by specialist1124

Hi,

I am a new member in this community. Also, when it comes to car matter, I don't have much knowledge since I'm just started loving a car. I already gone some of the threads here about the c Audacity Find My iPhone Origin ar comparisons & etc. But still I can't understand the terminologies used. But anyway, I will try to catch up.

I'm planning to buy a second hand car, either toyota corolla or other brands but I don't know what are the things need to be consider before buying. Can anyone give me some advice, tips or hints? Need your help, please...

Thank you very much...

Thank you for the tips!