College Student’s Guide to Buying a Used Car

Andrew Christie

Staff Writer

When looking to purchase a used car, there are plenty of things you need to look for before finalizing your decision. From the type of title that belongs to the car, all the way to sitting down and taking it for a test drive, this article will try and guide you through what to look for from bumper to bumper and roof to asphalt.

Know what you’re buying

Before meeting the seller and looking over the car, you should know the year, make, model, title status, and the trade in value of the car. The title status can either be clean, salvage, rebuilt, parts-only, lien, or missing/not available.

A clean title means the car does not have a lien against it and the car should have never been in a major accident. A salvage title means the car has been in an accident and will likely need expensive repairs. A rebuilt title means the car has been restored after having a salvage title and may still have minor cosmetic or electrical issues.

Parts-only titles are given when the car is considered a ‘total loss’ and cannot be registered. A lien title means the car is being financed by a lender. Finally, a missing title means at some point the owner lost or misplaced it- which can be an issue depending on which state you live in and how new the car is.

What’s on the outside

Shifting to the car itself, when looking at the body, note any scratches, dents, chips or cracks in the windshield. Try and see if the headlights are foggy. Consider how recent the inspection sticker is, and also if there is any rust on the brake rotors. Check to see if there are any large gaps between panels, rust spots, paint bubbling or cracking.  The tires should have decent tread. You can quickly check the tread with a penny if you are unsure by placing Lincoln upside down. If his head is partially covered, the tread is still good. All four tires should be the same. Finally, check to see if the rims or tires are worn or scraped on the sides.

Engine Bay

Opening the hood and looking at the engine bay, ask yourself: does the hood open easily and do the supports hold the hood up when open? Observe if there are any visible leaks in the oil, transmission fluid, or coolant. Are the hoses, belts, and wires snug or loose, and does the battery wobble around or is it secured? Remember, before checking the fluids, how long has the car been sitting? You do not want to open any caps that have pressure and hot liquids behind them. To avoid this, the engine should be cold or have been sitting for a minimum of thirty minutes. For oil, the level should be topped off. Note that a healthy oil will look amber and clear. Dark sludgy oil means it’s overdue for a change. Frothy oil likely means water is mixed in. If it’s sparkly then metal is in the oil. Finally, the coolant should be at level and can be a variety of colors, but if it’s dark brown, clear, or foggy it needs to be changed.

Undercarriage

Going under the car is going to be harder if you do not have any jack stands to prepare. However, you can wiggle your way under to check what is needed. Make sure to have a flashlight and some rags on hand. Under the car, look at the engine and rear differential for leaking. Then, look at the exhaust and frame specifically for ‘rust through’- holes or breaks. Finally, make sure the suspension does not look damaged or misaligned.

Interior

Checking the inside of a car will be more comfortable than checking the underside, and it is just as important. Once you open the door, put your head in and see if it smells like cigarettes or smoke. If so, getting the smell out is no small task and not worth it for many buyers. Look at the seats for rips, tears, and stains and make sure they do not move around. After checking the adjustment options, look up at the headliner and see if it is sagging or has any holes, stains or damage. The floor mats may have stains, holes, or cuts, so check under them and see how worn the carpet is or if there is any rust or water damage being covered. For the trunk, see if there are any water marks or general damage. Then, check to see if the spare tire is there. See if the tire holds air or has any rust on the rim. Are the jack and lug wrench where they should be – right next to the spare tire?

Starting the Car

When starting the car, look at all the vehicle options and see if they work properly. Do the windows roll up and down? Can you move the mirrors? Do all of the gauges properly work? Do all the doors lock and unlock? Does the heating and A/C work on each setting? The radio? Clock? Speakers? Do the interior lights all work and shut off? Check the turn signals; on high and low beams, running and fog lights. Does the E-brake hold the car when it is in neutral? Do the wipers work on each setting and release washer fluid? Is the owner’s manual in the glove box or does the owner have it on hand? While you have the car on, start to pump the brakes and feel if it vibrates. If a warning light comes up, this likely means the brake pads are worn and need to be replaced.

Noises and Movement 

During the cold start up, have someone watching the exhaust to see if any smoke leaves the exhaust. White smoke likely means there is an engine coolant leak. Blue smoke means the engine is burning oil. Black smoke means the fuel mixture is too rich. Additionally, listen for any strange noises like grinding, ticking, or knocking. If the motor moves around a lot while idling, then the car probably has bad motor mounts. If it starts to smoke, you could have a plethora of things wrong- most commonly, it is a coolant leak, blown head gasket, or cracked engine block. If the car is already warm while starting it up, you can look for the same things mentioned above, but also check for bubbling in the radiator reservoir. If there is bubbling, it means air is getting in and may imply the head gasket is blown.

Time to drive

Right before going for a test drive, turn the steering wheel lock to lock and see how it feels or if it makes any odd sounds. While going for the drive, note if there are any knocks, squeaks, or strange vibrations while braking. While driving, does it make any thudding, squeaks, or whines? Watch the temperature gauge to see if the car overheats and the rpm to see if it is shifting beyond the average 2-3,000 rpm. When the car shifts, does it feel smooth? Jolt? Or does it slip into gear causing higher rpm and a delay in acceleration?

Now what?

Overall does the car feel safe and comfortable to drive in?

If you think the car looks and feels good, you can also ask to have it taken to your local mechanic where they can give you a much more thorough inspection. This inspection may help with your final decision. If all goes well, make an offer to the dealer and seal the deal. Have the title transferred over to you or whoever is buying the car’s name. You can make a down payment or pay them in full but make sure both parties have signed the bill of sale and it is in your possession along with the title. The last step is getting the car insured and registered.

Good luck and enjoy the line at your local DMV.