Interested in purchasing a second-hand vehicle? These vehicles can be absolute steals but they can also be money-draining lemons. So how can you tell the difference between a good deal and a money pit? Well, there are a number of things to look for and if you are not well-versed in automobiles, it is a good idea to bring a trusted mechanic from a local auto repair shop in Monroe, North Carolina. So here are a few things you should look for when purchasing a second-hand vehicle:
- Rust
One of the first things that you will want to look for when purchasing a second-hand vehicle is rust. From the outside, the car can look perfect but the chassis and other important parts of the vehicle could have rotted away. This is dangerous and it will only become a money pit. So you will want to check under the car, the strut towers, and throughout the vehicle for rust. It is also a good idea to go around the car and knock on the bodywork. Original metal will have a hollow sound. If any repairs were done or if there is hidden body filler, it will have a solid thud sound.
- Smoke
Once you have checked out the body and your mechanic from your local engine repair shop in North Carolina has deemed it to be okay. The next step is to look for smoke. A good running vehicle should not have any smoke at all but if it does, you will want to check for the colors. White smoke could be steam, which is a sign of a blown head gasket or coolant leaking inside of the engine, this is not good and you should avoid cars like this. Blue smoke means the vehicle is burning oil. This may be a normal occurrence depending on the engine and age of the vehicle but it is something you generally want to avoid, especially if it’s a lot of blue smoke. Black smoke means the vehicle is running rich or burning more fuel than it should be but black smoke is usually okay but have your mechanic overlook the engine first.
- Test Drive
Before you purchase any second-hand vehicle, it is crucial to test drive it first. This will make serious problems become quite obvious and will help you determine if the car is solid or not.
You can get some great deals without a doubt but take your time and have a mechanic go with you before making the purchase. Also, we offer a wide array of services at your convenience as a transmission repair shop in North Carolina. To find out what we can do for you, please get in touch with Anointed Auto Shop today.