What to Check Before Buying a Used Car

A used car can look great in photos and still hide expensive problems. Working through the same checklist every time — rather than just "looking it over" — is what catches the issues that actually matter.

Exterior

• Panel gaps: uneven gaps or slightly mismatched paint color between panels can indicate prior body work
• Rust: check wheel wells, the underside of doors, and the frame underneath, not just visible body panels
• Tire wear: uneven wear across a tire's tread can point to alignment or suspension issues
• Glass: look for chips or cracks in the windshield that could need replacing soon

Under the hood

• Fluid levels and color: milky oil or coolant can indicate a head gasket issue
• Belts and hoses: cracking or fraying means they're due for replacement
• Battery corrosion around the terminals
• Any obvious leaks or fresh cleaning meant to hide one

Interior

• Every window, lock, and seat adjustment powers on and functions
• Air conditioning blows genuinely cold, not just cool
• Infotainment screen, backup camera, and any driver-assist features work
• Seat wear consistent with the odometer reading — heavily worn seats on a low-mileage car is a red flag

On the test drive

Start the engine cold if at all possible — a rough or hesitant cold start is often masked once an engine has already warmed up before you arrive. Drive on both surface streets and, if possible, a highway on-ramp to feel how the transmission behaves at higher speeds. Brake firmly in a safe, empty area to check for pulling to one side or unusual noise.

Paperwork

Before you commit, confirm the title is clean (not salvage or rebuilt), that the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the dash and door jamb, and pull a vehicle history report to check for reported accidents, odometer discrepancies, or open recalls.