What and how to check in a car before purchase

Buying a used car involves a comprehensive check of both the technical condition of the vehicle itself and the documents. Only in this case, you can count on a successful purchase. This process consists of a large number of stages, but even with a little experience, you will overcome it if you follow the algorithm below.

Operational history of the vehicle

The more you know about the car, the more informed your purchase will be. To find out the car's history, you can use the VIN decoding service, which is a unique identifier of the car.

The report generated by the VIN code contains the following technical data:

vehicle equipment, options, and features;
spare parts list for quick search and purchase;
Recommendations for temporary service and repair standards, including fault actions and maintenance;
the vehicle's date of manufacture.

In the user data section, a complete history of the vehicle is available, starting from the moment of its purchase by the first owner. This information is provided by insurance companies, dealers, and service stations.

The report generated by the VIN decoder is usually presented in the form of a table and may contain the following data:

The license plate number of the vehicle.
Body (chassis) number.
Release Date.
Engine characteristics (power, displacement).
Enrollment data.
Information on restrictions for operation (liens, credit, theft).
Accident Information.
Use for the transportation of cargo or passengers.
Customs data (origin, mileage).
Mileage as of a specific date.

Before buying a car, we recommend you to check its configuration by VIN-code. Although there are many ways to check, the VIN-code report contains the most complete information about the equipment and its changes during operation.

As for the documents: technical passport, insurance, they allow you to get a limited amount of information, which does not give an idea of how the car was used, what legal restrictions exist for its future operation, whether there were no interventions in the operation of the odometer, etc. For example, from the technical passport, you will get information about the owners, and technical inspections (if they were carried out in certified centers). Such data can be used as additional information when analyzing the vehicle.

Checking the vehicle's technical condition

Here is an algorithm and basic information you can use when checking a car before buying.

Engine

If inexperienced and checking on your own, perform a thorough inspection of the engine compartment, paying attention to the following:

Presence of leaks, foreign liquids, and deformation of the housing due to impact.
It is better if the engine under the hood of a used car is covered with dust and dirt - it is difficult to see oil and other fluid leaks on a clean engine. The engine should be inspected during daylight hours using a flashlight.

Start the engine and evaluate the sound of its operation. The powertrain should run smoothly, without jerks or jumps. The noise level should be unchanged when the accelerator pedal is not depressed. Note that the sound of a diesel engine is different from a gasoline engine: a diesel engine has a characteristic “rumbling” sound reminiscent of a tractor, while a gasoline engine runs more evenly and without sudden changes in tone.

CAT

Inspect the manual transmission for leaks. If necessary, take a closer look at the gearbox from underneath the vehicle - it is important to make sure that all connections and oil seals on the gearbox are dry.

While driving the vehicle and without driving, depress and hold the clutch pedal. If you hear a “metallic” noise, this may indicate that the clutch release bearing is worn. At first, the sounds may appear occasionally, but later it may lead to difficulty in shifting gears and a characteristic crunch.

Undercarriage

Malfunctions in the suspension elements are manifested primarily in the form of extraneous sounds. Noises in the lower part of the vehicle may be caused by the following elements requiring replacement or repair:

Shock absorbers - they absorb shocks when driving on rough roads.
Strut springs - these are under constant load and can wear out over time.
Pistons - protect the various components from dust, and if they are dirty or damaged, they need to be replaced.
Strut support cups - they must be intact and free of deformations.
Salentblocks - connects various suspension parts and can cause the vehicle to become unstable when driving.

Braking system

When inspecting the vehicle, pay attention to the thickness of the brake pads and the presence of a bead on the edge of the brake disk. A high bead height on the disk indicates significant disk wear and the need to replace it.

The thickness of the brake pad linings is not a determining factor, but if the pads are of different thicknesses, there may be a fault in the guide caliper or brake cylinder. Also, inspect wheel assemblies for brake fluid leaks, check the expansion tank, and inspect the brake master cylinder.

Electrics

We recommend that you check the vehicle for current leakage before you buy it. You will need a multimeter to do this. This is important because current leakage can lead to erratic engine performance and increased emissions. In addition, wiring problems can cause short circuits, which can cause the car's stereo, ECU, and other devices to malfunction.

Body and paintwork

A detailed body inspection is a mandatory step in the pre-purchase vehicle inspection. The main stages are:

A thickness gauge must be used for the inspection. Before the inspection, determine the maximum paintwork thickness for the make of vehicle.
You need to check the thickness of the coating on different areas of the body.
It is very important to check the thickness of the paintwork around the doorway, on the door pillar and on the roof.
The paintwork level should not exceed 1000 microns. Exceeding this value may indicate poor quality bodywork.
You need to compare the shades of paint on different parts of the body in daylight.
The coating must be uniform and free of defects. The coating must be even and free of defects.

Interior

When checking the interior, you need to pay attention to the elements that are in constant contact with the driver. Below are the signs that indicate high mileage of the car:

The steering wheel. Its condition can tell you a lot about the condition of the car. If it is worn or shows signs of tugging and tinting, it can indicate high mileage.
Airbags. Check if they are present - absence may indicate that the vehicle has been involved in an accident.
Plastic parts. Usually wears out a little. A steering wheel made of plastic can retain its appearance even after a mileage of 200-250 thousand kilometers.
Leather trim and covers. Heavy wear in the form of scuffs and texture changes, especially on high-quality leather, can also indicate high mileage.

Wheels and tires

Tires are usually replaced every 3 to 5 years. Even if tires have been lying around unused, over time they can provide a safe ride on your vehicle due to the rubber drying out.

To determine the age of a tire, read the information on the side of the tire that shows the year and week of manufacture.

You should also check for cuts and repair marks. A side cut, for example, can damage the tire carcass. Even if the tire has been repaired, the patch may not be able to withstand the stress at high speeds. It is recommended to inspect the underside of the tire, as it is usually smoother and there should be no signs of repair.

Test drive a car before buying it

During the test drive, check acceleration and braking. Also, analyze how smoothly the car changes speed. Re-align and turn left and right to evaluate the car's handling. While on the road, pay attention to the engine performance, and how well the noise insulation is implemented. Evaluate how good the visibility from the car is, blind spots, and the rearview camera.

Check how comfortable it is to get in and out of the vehicle, leg, and head room in the front and rear seats. Make sure you can reach the pedals.