For many car buyers, choosing a used vehicle can provide many great benefits. One of the biggest benefits of getting a used vehicle is that it can be very cost effective over purchasing a brand new vehicle. Even with a used vehicle that is being sold by a reputable seller, you should still be wary of its past. Getting a used vehicle inspection can help you determine what type of condition the vehicle is actually in. Some used vehicles have several former owners, so you cannot fully rely on the word of the last owner. Having a trusted mechanic look over the vehicle before you purchase it can be a great way to determine if you are getting a quality vehicle for your money. Here are some things you want to look for before buying.
Belts
One of the most important things you want to look for when purchasing a used vehicle is the condition of the belts. The most important and expensive belt under the hood is the timing belt. The condition of the timing belt is affected by numerous things including, weather, driving habits, and contamination. Timing belts should usually be replaced between 60,000 and 106,000 miles. If you can catch problems with the timing belt early, it may only cost you around $500 to $900, whereas a new timing belt that has caused problems can cost up to $2,000.
Engine
Your engine is easily one of the most important parts of your vehicle. If the engine is not running right, you are not going to get very far. Corrosion and rust are a good indication that the engine is not being maintained well. You should also be able to open up the oil top and check for black carbon deposits. The cap underneath should be fairly clean with some fluid present. A rebuilt engine could end up costing you between $1,500 to $2,250. You don't want to buy a vehicle and have to turn around and replace the engine.
Transmission
Your transmission is another important part of the vehicle. The vehicle should not burning transmission fluid like it does with oil. In order to find out about the condition of the transmission, you can check the fluid level. This is done by pulling out the dipstick and checking to see if there is plenty of fluid. The fluid should be clear with no contaminants in it. You can expect the fluid to be a dark red color.A brand new transmission could run you around $4,000 to $8,000, so you want to make sure it is in good working order. To have the transmission checked out, talk to a professional like McCarty's Transmision Service Inc.
Share4 November 2015
When it comes to auto repairs, I am lucky. A good friend of mine is very car savvy and is able to make the majority of the repairs that my car needs. However, recently he sprung a question on me that surprised me. He asked if I wanted him to install a new part or a quality used car part. I asked for his opinion and did some research online. I was surprised to find that there wasn't a lot of information out there about when you should and should not use used parts in your car. So that's how this website came to be. I decided to compile the information I learned, so that in the future, someone doesn't have to search all over to decide whether to have a new or used car placed in their car. Hope my website helps you to make your decision!