Used Cars in Quad Cities
Purchasing used cars in Quad City, IA and IL areas can sometimes be a dreadful situation for anyone unfamiliar with the internal workings of a car, you often run the risk of buying a unsatisfactorily maintained vehicle that needs lots of repair or even worse, put your family at risk in a hijacked or unsafe car. So how can you be certain that the slick salesman or overly confident seller isn’t trying to flog you a dead horse?
Even if you don’t know much about cars using a checklist can give you confidence and will assist you with spotting possible problems. Not everyone is genuine and it is possible that the salesperson is trying to squeeze extra money out of you by hiding problems. Here are 10 things that are definately worth checking out before buying:
1. The first thing you should do is make use of the VIN number to do a full historical background check on the car. This can be done before even seeing the car if you speak to the salesperson and ask for this number. There are websites that will supply you with a report , this could prevent you wasting your time. This Vehicle Identification Number should be in the car documentation and will be the same as the label found at the base of the front windscreen. If these values are not the same or the label looks like it has been adulterated with then it’s recommended that you do not continue with the sale.
A historical report on the car will tell you if the car has been in any traffic accidents and it will also show if it has been stolen or salvaged. It will also show if the mileage clock has been manipulated as well as other valuable details. These values are significant when purchasing a used car as it allows you to assess potential issues with the vehicle.
2. If the car has been re-sprayed it could mean that the car has been involved in an accident or is stolen. Have a look around all the rubber seals around the doors as these areas are where a re-spray should be most prominent. If you notice something that doesn’t sit right with the paperwork be very carefull about spending your money.
3. Some rust might be predictable on an old car but it is best to examine in and outside of the car as well as underneath for areas where rust may be a problem.
4. Leaks can be difficult to spot particularly if it is a sunny day but have a good feel of the upholstery for places that might be damp. Do not forget to check around the spare tyre as condensation may be more visible here.
5. Leaks can also be underneath the car so it is a good idea to have a look for anything obvious. Unfortunately a corrupt seller may have patched up any leakage but if you go a bit early to your viewing you may catch sight of clean-up work being finished.
6. Next inspect all the paint on the vehicle. The colour should be consistent all over; repairs should be visible as the colour will look newer. If the seller has concealed information about repair work noticing details like this will help you determine whether the seller is genuine. Lopsided panels could also signal that something isn’t quite right.
7. Some tyres can be expensive to replace so it is best to make sure that the tyres meet the legal regulation for wear and tread depth. An fluctuating wear pattern on a tyre could reveal that there is an issue with the vehicle. The tyre tread should be 1.6mm all the way around.
8. Open each of the doors to make sure that they close and lock correctly. Do not forget to check the hood and boot as well!
9. The idle rev count can indicate a potential issue if it rises higher than just below 1 when left untouched. Turn the engine on and leave it alone for a minute to see what the rev counter shows.
10. The mileage counter must match the number stated in the service book and this should also reflect the general wear and age of the vehicle. If you think the odometer has been tampered with you should not go through with the sale.
These tips should help you avoid pricey mistakes and ensure you get a car in a reasonable condition. So if you live in the Quad City area and would like to find it easy to search for quality used cars and trucks make sure you check out our inventory!