How to recognize a car that has been in an accident when buying a used car
The topic of choosing a used car is not new. However, it is endless and comprehensive, like an eternal dispute, which is better - studded rubber or Velcro. And a fresh look at the topic of how not to be cheated by a not very honest seller will not be superfluous. Especially if this look is professional.
First of all, inspect the body of the instance you like from all sides, remind our experts from the Russian AutoMotoClub Federal Service for Emergency Technical Assistance on the Roads. Its details should not differ in shade. If some element (or several) stands out in color from the rest, then it was repainted due to minor damage or, even worse, the car was restored after an accident. Next, check the joints between the mating body panels - on different cars they can be narrower or wider, but they must be even along the entire length.
Compare the year of manufacture of the car according to the passport with the markings on its glasses, in the lower corner of which the data on the year and month of their manufacture are applied. These figures should not differ greatly. For example, if a foreign car was released in August 2011, then the interval from March to July or August 2011 is usually indicated on the glasses. And if the windows were changed on cars after a serious accident, few people will bother with their selection with the corresponding dates. And this fact should alert.
Remember that the paint in the engine compartment and in the trunk must match the exterior color of the car. Moreover, in the engine compartment, it may be dimmer due to its high heat load. Carefully inspect the body for corrosion. Under the layer of paint should not be blisters. Otherwise, repainting will fall on the shoulders of the second owner. If possible, check the bottom of the car, as well as the sills, wheel arches and spars to which the engine and front suspension are attached. From the purchase of a vehicle that requires welding and painting, it is better to refuse immediately. After all, the restoration of the body will cost a tidy sum.
Almost all resellers indulge in twisting the odometer readings. Now this can be done on any, even the most sophisticated, foreign car. Offers of services for adjusting the speedometer on the Internet at least a dime a dozen. The price of the issue is from 2500 to 5000 rubles. Therefore, if on a battered car with mileage, supposedly 80 km, pay attention to the condition of the brake, gas and clutch pedals (if the car is with a manual gearbox). If the rubber pads are worn out, then the car has traveled all 000 km and they are trying to cheat you. A completely worn driver's seat, as well as a fairly worn steering wheel and gear lever will only confirm the suspicion.
Next, we proceed to inspect the engine for oil leaks. True, on many modern cars this is difficult to do because of the decorative cover. It is important to remember that an engine washed to a shine may indicate an attempt by the seller to hide the fact and location of an oil leak. It is better if the engine is dusty, but dry. Start the engine. It should start immediately, maximum after a couple of seconds of turning on the starter, and work without interruptions and extraneous sounds. And it is desirable to start the engine "cold". If you hear metallic tapping on an unheated unit, then it is already pretty worn out. And when blue or black smoke flows from the exhaust pipe, it means that the oil consumption of the engine exceeds all norms. For a “live” motor, the exhaust must be clean, and the pipe itself at the exit point of the exhaust gases must be dry. On the move, a serviceable unit must adequately respond to pressing the gas pedal, without failures and delays. True, on machines with powerful V6 and V8, it will be difficult for a beginner to determine the condition of the motor during a test drive.
A test drive can also be used to check the condition of the running gear. To do this, it is better to reduce the sound of the audio system and listen to how the suspension works out the bumps. Sometimes it is more expedient to drive on a bad road in order to determine the condition of the suspension by extraneous sounds. Of course, this is not so easy to do without an experienced specialist, but in general, you can check the condition of the chassis.
