What To Check When Buying a Used Car: Our Quick Guide

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When you’re buying a used car there’s plenty that can go wrong, you can mess up price negotiations, and you can make the seller angry, but the worst thing you can do is buy the wrong car. The way to avoid that pitfall is to know what to check when buying a used car, so in this article, we’re going to go through just that.

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Vehicle History

When looking into buying a car it’s important to know its history, which is exactly why there’s a service set up for just that and it would be a waste not to utilize it. Getting a vehicle history report can reveal some key information: how many previous owners the car has had, its maintenance record if the car has any liens and if the car has been in any accidents.


Even just asking for a history report from the seller can reveal something, if they’re hesitant or unwilling to give you one, then they have something to hide.

Run the VIN

Another resource that you should turn to your advantage is the “Vehicle Identification Number” a number usually located on the inside of the windshield which can fill you in on several key facts about the car like make, model, year, and where it was made. Take a picture of it and then you should be able to decode it later. Consider it as proof that the seller is telling the whole truth about the car.

Visual Inspection 

There are many things you can learn from just a walk around of the car, though if you don’t have a passing knowledge of car mechanics you should absolutely bring a friend or relative who does. Open every door, look into the hood and trunk, poke at the tires, there’s no rigid set of things to check because it’ll be different on every car but if you see anything out of the ordinary press the seller for an explanation.

Test Drive

Arguably the most important check of all is a test drive. You can learn a lot of information from a proper test drive. It can help you identify potential engine problems, as well as get a feel for the brakes, and other potential problem makers. Most of all it will allow you to gauge if you like driving the car before you commit to buying it.


If a seller won’t let you take the car for a test drive then that’s a massive red flag, they definitely have something to hide. Never buy a car without first taking it for a test drive.

That’s pretty much it! Now you know what to check when buying a used car to avoid being ripped off.

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