Things to remember
- Don’t fall in love with the car before you’ve done your homework.
- Let someone else take the depreciation hit (2-3 yrs old best).
- Walk around the car and check paint, body panel gaps for evenness, chips, dents, etc.
- Check maintenance history (any records).
- Contact the previous owner (get the name from the title).
- Check fluid condition (oil and transmission fluid should be clean and clear).
- Test drive the car and listen to and feel for noises, vibration, and handling problems.
- Check the price — go to www.nada.com and check the retail price.
- Check the title history using the VIN number at www.carfax.com.
- If all of the above check out, have a complete mechanical inspection of the vehicle done by an independent shop. Use the items that need attention on the car to bargain with the dealer/seller.
Mechanical Inspection Checklist
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