| F. Inside of car |
The interior can give you a good idea of the overall condition and how well the entire car has been maintained.
Check the condition of the:
seats, belts, carpeting, |
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Check the mileage to be sure the car has not been used too much for the price being asked. Today’s cars average approximately 18.000 km per year (Around 25,000 km in Europe & 40,000 km in the united states)
Compare the service stickers on the door jamb or under the hood to see if the recorded mileage is consistent with the odometer reading. |
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Check the windows to see if they open and close easily:
- manual windows should crank smoothly
- power windows should not hesitate
- All glass should be free from serious cracks or scratches |
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Look at the:
Brake, Accelerator, Clutch pedals
These pedals should work smoothly without strange noises or binding |
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Check all exterior lights and flashers on the car to ensure they are operating properly.
How? |
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Start the engine and check the warning lights and gauges as well as all the accessories to make sure they work |
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| Make certain that the air conditioning blows very cold air |
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We advise you!
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Do not be afraid to take up the salespersons’ time.
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Be sure to stay in control and do not let anyone take you into buying a vehicle you do not want.
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Do not be afraid to walk away, especially if the “deal won’t be there tomorrow”.
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Shop during daylight hours in order to thoroughly inspect vehicle and take a test drive.
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Be sure to drive the car under a variety of conditions, such as: Hills, Highways, Stop-and-go traffic
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This could be a fairly extensive drive, not just a drive around the block. |
Attention!
A car’s good points or problems are often apparent after a few km: if the engine was warm when you arrived to look at the car, it may mean the seller has been running it to hide starting difficulties. |
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