When you are ready to start looking for your teenager's first used car, it is important that you know what to look for. You don't want to get them a junker that won't be safe. But this doesn't mean that you have to go out and buy or lease a super expensive brand new car. The simple fact is that a teenager is likely to scratch up the car, or get small dents when trying to parallel park. If you get them a used car, they won't freak out as much, and if you buy it and are not leasing it, you won't have to worry about fixing every little nick and scratch. However, you do have to make sure you do your due diligence to make sure that you don't end up with a dangerous junker. So, with that said, here are some things to be on the lookout for.
Check The Brake Pads and Rotors
One issue with used cars is that they might have brake issues. If the prior owner did not replace the brake pads when necessary, then not only could the brake pads have worn down, but the brake rotors might have become warped. This is a dangerous situation because the stopping power will be limited severely. The solution is to have the brake rotors fixed which will entail either grinding them to even out the surface, or replacing them entirely. If it's just a case of bad brake pads, you can have the pads replaced.
This should be checked out before you buy a used car. Have the mechanic jack up the car and check out the brake pads and rotors. You can certainly buy a used car with bad brake pads or rotors, but be cognizant of the issue and that it will need to be replaced.
Suspension Issues
Another major issue with used cars is the suspension. You don't want to get a car that has bad suspension. If the cars struts or shocks are in bad shape, the car will bounce and this can cause major damage. It might look cool in music videos, or if you're at a car show, but cars that bounce up and down may become damaged beyond repair. The steel frame will crack or become warped and this will eventually lead to you needing to scrap the car. You can't fix a damaged frame.
So, make sure you test the suspension. The easiest way is to push down on the bumper and see if the car springs up and down. If it does, realize that you will need to replace the shocks or struts.
Also if you're looking for cars for sale it is wise to visit a reputable dealer.
Share26 July 2017
After I totaled my car, I knew that I needed to find a new vehicle that would weather auto body damage a little better. I started looking around for an incredible dealership that I could work with, and I was able to find a nice place that was relatively close to my house. They were easy to work with, focused on making my experience enjoyable, and had an incredibly large selection of great cars. Within a few hours I was able to find a really nice car that I loved, and I was really happy with the entire process. This blog is all about finding a great car that you will love.
