| E. Outside of car |
Look at the vehicle during the daytime as darkness may hide problems.
Do not look at vehicles in the rain which hide scratches.
Be sure to concentrate on big defects and not minor repairs that can be made easily and inexpensively. |
|
What should you examine or check?
1. Examine both sides, front and back, of the car from a distance: |
|
Look for:
Ripples, waves, poorly fitted panels and all of which mal indicate that bodywork may have been done.
For dents or rust around the bottom of the doors, fenders and under the vehicle as well |
|
Attention!
Bubbles along moulding or chrome indicates rust underneatht the rust has gone through the metal, you could be looking at major repairs. |
| |
Check for welding spots on the frame, which may indicate a serious accident or repairs.
Attention!
Open and close the doors, hood, trunk or hatchback: be sure they fit and are easy to close without shamming, sagging or sticking
Stand back approximately 10 to 15 feet from the car and see if the car is level. If one corner seems lower than the others, it suggests a broken spring or other chassis or suspension problem. |
 |
|
Check the shocks by pushing down on each corner of the car and letting go. |
|
Attention!
Your car should bounce upward only once and then settle back to its original position.
If the car bounces several times, new shock absorbers may be needed. |
|
| |
Check the tires: they should be in good shape without sidewall cracks.
Attention!
Check the inside of the tires for break fluid leakage |
|
|
| |
5. Look under the car for: |
|
- oil spots
- leaks from the transmission
- power steering
- shock absorbers
|
|
| |
|
| |
