3 Red Flags For Buying A Used Car
Watch Out For Major Issues Before Buying
Every car, truck and SUV at Auto Depot Sudbury is thoroughly inspected before it goes on sale. Our team of service experts looks over every major system, nut and bolt to ensure our customers drive away in something that will serve them well for as long as possible. Should you find yourself looking at private sellers or other pre-owned dealers, we want you to be on the look out for the three biggest red flags when buying a used car. Let’s take a look at a few crucial pieces of information.
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Missing Vehicle History Or Accidents
Keeping up with scheduled maintenance is the most important thing a car owner can do. Vehicle history reports track things like service appointment, major and minor repairs and if any accidents have occurred. If the car, truck or SUV you’re thinking about buying doesn’t have a vehicle history, or it’s spotty and there are large gaps between service entries, it could signal significant problems. Other signs to watch out for include:
- Unclear ownership history
- Rebuilt or salvage title
- Odometer inconsistencies
Noticeable Mechanical Problems
You don’t need to be a master mechanic to recognize a car might have problems. Taking a test drive that closely matches your daily routine is important. A vehicle that doesn’t accelerate smoothly, has transmission that struggles to change gears or brakes that squeal when used are all signs something is deeply wrong. More troubling signs include:
- Engine knocking, ticking or rough idling
- Vibration in the steering wheel
- Vehicle pulling to one side
- Warning lights on the dashboard
- Burning smells or leaks
- Uneven tire wear
Signs of Flood Damage
Few things are as damaging to an automobile as flood water. Unscrupulous sellers might try to hide the fact that a car has been through a flood. Luckily, those signs are often very difficult to hide. The smell of mould or mildew is a tell tale sign, especially coming from the upholstery on the floor and in the trunk. Other flood signs include:
- Stained or discolourd seat belts
- Gritty feeling when seats are moved
- Corrosion on the fuses and fuse panel
- Excessive rust or corrosion found in the engine bay
You can avoid a lot of red flags by shopping with a trusted and reputable dealer, like Auto Depot Sudbury. Make an appointment with one of our product experts if you would like to see what we have available.