If you are in the market for a used (pre-owned) vehicle, the first thing you want to do is research. There are many sites online such as vehix.com and AutoTrader. Have an idea of what type of vehicle you are looking for (SUV, truck, car, etc.) and what will fit your budget. Walking into a dealership with no clue as to what you have in mind will no doubt be a very frustrating experience (both for you and the salesperson). Most reputable dealers provide a carfax report which will give you a vehicle history report. Find out if the vehicle comes with a warranty. Most warranties will cover the vehicle (bumper to bumper) for 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first). You can also ask if an extended warranty is available. Another thing you want to consider is your credit score (if you are financing the vehicle). You will be very disappointed if you find the perfect vehicle, test drive it and work out a deal, only to find out that you can't get approved. If your credit score is less than perfect, consider getting a cosigner.

In the event that you are buying a used vehicle from an individual, rather than a dealer, make sure the seller grants you permission to have it checked out by a professional mechanic. What looks good on the outside, may not be so under the hood.

Under the hood

• Leaks
• Fluid levels
• Oil (should be light brown)
• Antifreeze (should be green)
• Power steering (should be clear)
• Transmission (should be red)
• Belts (check for cracks)
• Hoses (should be firm, not soft or hard)
• Battery and connections (green dot should be visible on GMs)
• Electrical connections and wiring
• Old oil buildup or sludge inside the valve cover-where the oil filler cap is (signs of neglect)
• Fuel smell

Under the vehicle

• Leaks
• Undercarriage for damage
• Exhaust system
• Tires for uneven wear
• Loose parts hanging from body
• Rear suspension for leaks
• Rust on body
• CV boots (corrugate rubber boots, usually black) that surround the CV joints on front-wheel drive vehicles

Body-Chassis

• Operation of hood, doors, door glass, all latches, and keys
• Exterior body paint (look for overspread on weather strips, molding around windshield, rear glass, inside fenders, near hood or truck lid, rear panels, and door handles)
• Vehicle's body for waviness, irregularities on both sides
• Mismatched colors and uneven textures
• Poorly fitted panels that suggest body repairs
• All lights, headlamps, taillights, turn signals, brake lights, back-up lights, and license plate tag lights
• Spare tire, jack and tools
• Water or water damage in trunk

Interior

• Seats, door panels, headliner, rugs, and mats
• Seat belts, front and rear
• Door locks, power windows, and power seats
• Radio, tape player, or compact disk player
• Horn and steering column
• Windshield wiper and automatic fluid
• Dash lights, interior lights, and everything you can get your hands on

Before starting the engine

• Stand behind the vehicle and look for smoke
• Barely visible or just a little. White is normal
• Blue smoke indicates burning oil
• Black smoke indicates engine too rich (too much fuel)
• Heavy, white smoke indicates a blown head gasket or cracked head

Test-Drive Never buy a car without driving it extensively first. If the owner balks, walk away.

• On your test drive, find some rough pavement, go over a few bumps and listen for rattles, squeaks, and loose suspension.
• Test to see if car pulls to one side or the other (sudden veering may indicate car needs front-end alignment).
• (Front wheel drive only) find an empty parking lot and turn sharply to the right and left in a tight circle and listen for knocking sounds (may need CV joints).
• Brake performance: Brakes should stop smoothly and quietly (no squeaks or pulsations of pulling from one side to the other).
• Brake pedal should feel firm-not spongy.
• Try the air conditioner and the heater to make sure they work.
• Engine performance: Engine should run smoothly and quietly. Listen for pings, rattles, knocks, grinds, vibrations, squeals, engine hesitation, or stumbles on acceleration.
• Transmission performance: An automatic transmission should shift smoothly without jerking, slipping, or hesitation on upshift. When coming to a stop, it should not bang on downshifts.
• A manual transmission should operate easily with one-inch toe play on the clutch pedal. Shift gears and listen for grinding sound. If you hear noise, chances are it may need a clutch plate or internal repairs.