1. Advertisement Quality

There are several factors that go into this point, but the ad really will make or break a sale on both the seller and buyer’s part. A quality car ad will feature quality pictures from all angles both inside and out. In addition to good pictures, a detailed description of the vehicle’s mileage, recent maintenance, and known issues (if any).

2. Maintenance Records

Actual maintenance records from a certified mechanic or shop would be the most ideal. Now, I can’t speak for everyone else, but I’m not writing down the information in a notebook whenever I am performing my maintenance at home. But you can usually tell when someone has taken care of their vehicle or only did the necessary maintenance when things started breaking down.

3. Damage/ Repairs Not Previously Mentioned

If you can see that a vehicle has or had damaged the seller was not upfront about; you should be seeing red flags. There is no excuse for not disclosing damage to a vehicle even if it has been repaired. Look out for mismatched paint coloring, uneven surfaces, and inconsistent body panel gaps. Additionally, opening and closing all the doors, the hatch/ trunk, as well as the hood should be done to ensure proper operation. If a door sticks, the hood or trunk doesn’t close easily, or if the seller tells you there is a “trick” to any of these operations, again, red flags abound.

4. Tire Tread and Wear

Tire tread wear is easy to check even without the proper tool to do it. The common Penny can be used to check tire tread. Place the penny in the with Honest Abe’s head pointing toward the center of the tire. If you can see above his head, the tires need to be replaced. Additionally, if there is any missing tread, steel bands showing, or flats; the tires need to be replaced A.S.A.P. and I would recommend that you don’t drive on them at all.

5. Engine Oil Check

If you do anything at all to check the quality of a used car, the engine oil can tell you quite a lot. Checking the oil is easy to do and will be an easy indicator of if major internal engine repairs are necessary. You should be checking for color, consistency, smell, and if any noticeable metal shavings are present. Discoloration of the oil is indicative of other fluids mixing and therefore, internal leaks like head gasket failure. Metal shavings should be an instant red flag. If you can pull the dipstick and actually notice the presence of metal shavings, the motor will likely cost you multiple times over whatever you are potentially paying for the vehicle itself. Lastly, burnt oil does in fact have a smell. If the oil smells abnormal or burnt, there could potentially be a cooling issue within the motor, or the oil could be much older than it should be.

6. The Test Drive

As with any new vehicle, a test drive is one of, if not the best way to seek out any issues. Ultimately, driving is what you will do with a vehicle (no brainer there). So either taking it for a drive or having the seller drive you around in it will test how well it functions under normal conditions. My recommendation is to stay as quiet as possible during a test drive as many parts tend to make a noise when they are either worn or close to wearing out. This is also a perfect time to get a feel for the suspension and how well it is performing it’s job. A rough test drive will give you a major bargaining chip to decrease your potential investment as long as it wasn’t so bad that you ran away from the sale entirely.

With this information in mind, it should be easier to shop the secondary market with confidence. Lastly, do not be afraid to walk away from a purchase. Even if a car is rare or you are absolutely in love with it; you should not be wearing rose-colored glasses while looking for red flags.