Before You Buy that Used Vehicle (Having a Used Car Inspected Before Buying)
June 5, 2022
Let's face it. New vehicles are expensive, so finding a good used one can save drivers a lot of money. It's tempting to look through ads, find a private seller who has what you're looking for and pay a price you think is a great deal. But when you go over to look at a used car, do you really know what to look for to uncover potential problems with it?
The answer is probably no. Used cars can look great on the outside, maybe even have lustrous paint and a super clean interior. But is it possible that vehicle's been in an accident? Does it have electrical problems you can't detect easily? Is any fluid leaking that you don't know about?
Think about it. You are about to spend thousands of dollars for a complex machine and you're considering judging its condition without much expertise. That's why it makes sense to have a qualified technician inspect any used vehicle you're considering buying.
Many vehicle repair facilities will do it for around $100-$200. They'll check to see what's working right and what's not working. They'll check for leaks and how strong the battery is; they'll look for signs it's been in an accident or has been painted. They'll look in places you'd find inaccessible, and they'll take it for a test drive to see what noises, vibrations and smells might give clues to any major problems. An inspection usually takes about an hour.
You should have an inspection done by a technician you know and trust. They'll have your best interests in mind. And the inspection should be done before you start negotiating a price with the seller. It's money well spent to either give you peace of mind that you're getting a good vehicle or steer you away from a lemon.
One sign a used vehicle isn't a good deal? If the buyer refuses to let you have it inspected. That says just about everything that needs to be said.
Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston
2017 E. Malone
Sikeston, Missouri 63801
573-472-1139
http://www.charliesfastlubesikeston.com
Need Service?
More articles from Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston
T for Transmission, T for Trouble (Automatic Transmission Trouble Signs)
February 1, 2026
One of the hardest working components of your vehicle is its transmission, shifting gears up and down when you need it to. The transmission is vital to your vehicle driving properly, and if you start to see signs of problems in it, its best to have them fixed earlier rather than later. (Since ne... More
In That Case? (Transfer Case Exchange)
January 25, 2026
Ever wonder how all-wheel-drive or 4-wheel-drive vehicles get the power from the engine to the front and rear wheels? The magic happens in what's called a transfer case. In some all-wheel-drive vehicles, it's sometime called a power take-off unit, or PTU. Inside the transfer case is a set of gea... More
In the Red (Why a Vehicle Overheats)
January 18, 2026
Heat is one thing that can damage a vehicle, especially if a problem isnt taken care of soon. Be on the lookout for signs that its getting too hot in some parts of your vehicle, starting with the most obvious one: the heat gauge/warning light on your instrument panel. When you see that heat gaug... More