Buying a used car can be a wise choice if you’re in search of a quality vehicle that lacks the high price tag of a new car. Although a used car can be a reasonable purchase to make, according to Car Keys Pro, “no matter whether you are looking for a new or used car, there are important factors to be aware of when car buying.”One of these factors is checking for signs that someone tried to get into the car while it was locked using a tool known as a Slim Jim or some other device. This point is discussed further below, along with some of the other factors you’ll need to consider in selecting the right car to suit your individual needs and budget.
Carefully Check the Condition of the Tires
Among the most typical and costly mistakes that used car buyers make is neglecting to check a car’s tires. Since the average cost to buy a set of four new tires these days is approximately $637, this oversight could put a big dent in your budget. Several things should be examined when inspecting the tires on a car you’re looking to buy. The main areas of concern are air pressure, tread wear, matching brand and size, and date of manufacture.
Uneven tread wear may suggest a more serious issue with the car’s wheel alignment, suspension system, steering system, or frame. Excessive wear on the outer parts of the tires can indicate overly aggressive driving. This in turn may point to other issues. In addition, excessive wear in the center of the tires shows they were repeatedly driven on while over-inflated. Conversely, if more wear shows up on the outer edges, they were probably driven on while under-inflated. The current state of the air pressure and tread wear reveal a great deal about a tire’s history, so it’s important to discuss these points with the seller.
Look for Telltale Signs of Past Repair Work
The most common aspects you need to look over when scrutinizinga used car are signs of past repairs to the body, along with any areas that look like they currentlyneed repair. No indications of previous body work makeit easier to ensure that you’re buying a good quality car. For this reason, carefully inspect the exterior for possible patch-upwork having been done to the paint or body.
To be meticulous, you can use a magnifying glass to scan the car’s exterior and paint the job to check for the presence of past work. The seller should be able to explain any indications of earlier damage upfront. On the other hand, if the owner tries to hide this information, it would be wise to take a polite pass on buying the vehicle.
Minor scratches and indentations aren’t necessarily reasons to avoid buying a car. However, any signs of major body repairs may be more problematic. After scrutinizing the car’s exterior and finding only minor blemishes, it may be possible to use them as a bargaining point. The extra time and cost that fixing the dents and scratches will entail can be factored in to get the current asking price lowered.
Check for Signs that the Car has been Broken Into
It’s also a good idea to look for signs of someone having used a Slim Jim, a coat hanger, or another tool to get into the car without using the key. Unskillful use of a Slim Jim will frequently disconnect the lock rods in a car’s door. This causes the lock to be inoperable, even if the key is used, and is often a clue that someone has tried to break into the car.
If the door locks are still operable, check for vertical scratches on the front driver’s side or passenger’s side windows. Also, look for any damage to the rubber seals on the windows. Such marks could be other signs that a person tried to get into the car with a device of some kind. The reason may have been to steal the car. Otherwise, it might have simply been because the owner left the keys in the car and was trying to get in to retrieve them. If such indications of forced entry into the vehicle are present, ask the owner about the origins of the scratches or damaged rubber seals. If the car was stolen, it may have other issues that aren’t readily apparent, and these could cause added expense for you down the line.