It’s getting more difficult with newer cars to do a visual inspection but there are still things even you as an untrained observer can spot.
- Open the hood. Start the car. Have the owner accelerate. See if there is sustained vibration in the engine. This could indicate engine mount problems.
- Look at the various belts for signs of wear. DON’T TOUCH THE BELTS WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. I can’t stress that enough.
- Have the owner shut the car off. Then, do a visual inspection. Check the battery for excessive corrosion around the terminals on top where the cables connect.
- Gently poke any hoses you can see. Make sure the connections seem firm.
- Pull the dipstick. It’s a long, thin piece of metal with a round handle at the end. Wipe it off with your handy rag. Put it back in all the way and then pull it out. See if the oil looks clean. Sludgy or dirty oil indicates problems.
- Make sure the oil is at an acceptable level. A low reading could point to a leak or a lazy owner. An overfull reading could mean the seller just pumped a lot of oil into the vehicle to hide problems for the short-term.
- If you’re the type who likes to do your own oil changes and make minor repairs, see how easy it is to do those things. Changing the headlight, for example, on a 2002 Dodge Neon is a snap (literally) on the right side. It’s an absolute bear on the left.
