For many, getting enough money to buy a car, even though a used one, is a milestone in their lives. As such, they are mostly giddy and just rush out to get the car they’ve always dreamed of without taking a thorough look at it. Buying a used car isn’t something you rush. At the very least, you must carry out a pre-purchase car inspection before putting down any money.

The purpose of pre-purchase car inspection is to ascertain the general working condition of the car. This means checking under the hood, beneath the car, inside the car, behind the tires, across the dashboard, in fact, it is a full thorough work up of the car.

If you have little experience in carrying out a pre-purchase car inspection however, then here are a few signs that tell you something is wrong somewhere.

• Rust and Musty Smell

If there are rusts in places such as the door corners, under the hood or inside it, or around the locks, then there is a good chance that the car has been in a severe water incident before. While rust may just be a sign of wear and tear, having them in places such as those mentioned tells a different story. If accompanied with an ever-present musty odor, even after when the car’s just been cleaned, then there’s a high probability that there are other serious damages elsewhere.

A malfunctioning electrical system, a compromised brake system, and the likelihood of mold and mildews in hidden corners of a car are bigger problems that severe water damages can cause. You must thus be very careful.

• Unusual Sounds that are not Related to Engine Faults

If you are carrying out an inspection (a test-drive to be specific) and you hear sounds from the car even after you’ve ensured that the engine is in top condition, you should check for frame damage. Other tell-tale signs would include little difficulty in closing the car doors or finding the car difficult to steer. You might also notice uneven wear on the tires.

If you do not want to keep spending money in the future fixing the suspension system and changing shock absorbers, then you should see if the damage is repairable. If it isn’t, or if the cost isn’t worth it, walk away.

• Engine Suddenly Goes off While Idling

This isn’t a problem that is ordinarily detected since the car must have been running for some time for it to manifest. Thus, it is advised that you test drive the car for a longer distance and for a longer period, possibly over different types of roads. If the engine goes out on you from time to time when you are at a stop sign or in similar situations, then you should check the oxygen sensor. It could be that the fuel and oxygen mixture is off but the failing sensor isn’t picking it up.

If you keep using it like that, then you might end up using more fuel per mile of travel.

These signs and some more are subtle ones that you should always be on the lookout for if you want to get the best buy for your money.

Edward Bertrand