Used cars can be a wonderful bargain --- or a major headache. My husband does not believe in paying the inflated price for a new car and has always provided used cars for our family. Here are the tips he has been using for more than 30 years to examine a used car before buying it. It is best if two people go together so one can observe while the other is in the driver's seat.

Examine the body of the car:

• Look for advanced signs of rust including patches as well as holes. Patches may not always be waterproof so there could still be leakage and unseen damage.
  
• Look for dents and repairs. Many accidents are never reported and therefore will not show up on a vehicle history report. So examine the used car for signs of damage such as areas that are not perfectly smooth (putty underneath) and patches of paint that are of a different shade. Look underneath the bumper as well.
• Stand first at the trunk area and then at the engine area. Push down hard several times to see how the car bounces. This will indicate whether the struts are broken. Struts can be expensive to replace and you cannot drive a car safely with broken struts.
• Look underneath the car for rust on the muffler, tailpipe, and frame of the car. It will give you an idea of whether the car has been in a flood. Some states allow the resale of vehicles that have been in a flood so vehicles from flooded areas are shipped to states which allow their sale and are sold to unsuspecting buyers. The buyers may have trouble with the car and try to unload it onto someone else.
• Open the trunk and examine the hinges for rust. Pull back the carpeting and examine the body frame for rust. Check the condition of the spare tire and pay attention to the size of the rim. Make sure that the rim in the trunk is identical to the rims on the car. Also, make sure that there is a jack in the trunk and that it is the correct one for that car.
  

A car that was in an accident and had front end damage will show uneven wear on the tires. Front end damage is difficult, if not impossible, to repair completely. A vehicle with front end damage will be difficult to control on the highway. There will also be the expense of frequently replacing the tires.

Turn on the engine and look under the hood. Check the condition of the battery cables and make sure that the battery is the correct size for that particular model car. Listen for unusual noises. Make sure that the fans are working, including the heater and air conditioner. Walk around to the back of the car and look at the exhaust. Make sure that all of the accessories are in good working order: headlights (low and high beam), tail lights, turn signals, back-up lights, air conditioner, heater, horn, windshield wipers (all speeds) and washer, power locks, power windows, emergency brake, defroster, gas tank release, etc.) Some of these items are expensive to fix on a used car, and that is assuming that the part is even available.

Turn off the engine and check the fluids. See if the oil is dirty. Also, check the brake fluid, transmission fluid, water, and power steering fluid. If any of them is low it might indicate a leak. If the water is low, then there might be a leak in the radiator or in the heater core. Examine the condition of the belts.

Examine the interior of the car for leaks by lifting up the floor mats. Look at the condition of the upholstery including the fabric on the ceiling. If there are stains in the ceiling fabric, then it is possible that the entire roof area is rusted and leaks. Examine the condition of the gas and brake pedals. Move the seats back and forth to make sure that they slide easily and also that they lock in place.

When test driving the car, have one person stand off to the side at the back of the vehicle. The person can check for bluish smoke or other fumes when the car is put in gear. Due a thorough test drive of the car because some problems will only become apparent at highway speeds.

Follow these tips to examine a used car before buying it and you should be able to eliminate most of the lemons. Sometimes it will be difficult because the seller has put on new tires, changed the oil, and filled the fluids. If you are not sure after test driving the car, then either pay to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle or walk away from the deal and look for a different used car.

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