Top 5 Used Car Inspection Tips and Tricks

If you are looking to buy a used car and want to make sure it doesn't have a bad engine or transmission or any other major issues and what to know how you can inspect for these issues you are in luck, because in this video I am going to explain to you how you can inspect a cars engine, transmission, tires, fault codes with or without a check engine light, previous body or frame damage and much more.

Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchets and Wrenches, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Ratchets and Wrenches assumes no liability for any property or personal damage that may arise from doing a repair on your vehicle after watching any of my repair video's. Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchets and Wrenches, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Again Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Ratchets and Wrenches.

[Idtelos]

Also, make sure the cup holder can hold an extra large cup.

[zoomjoo]

I want to tell you from my experience. I did all of the things R&W said, but still got a car with a bad head-gasket. The dealer had drained enough coolant so that the reservoir and upper hoses were empty, and then refilled the reservoir with clean coolant. Since it was cold on our test-drive the thermostat didn't open. Dealers have some crazy tricks and a truly cunning used car dealer can think of a way to hide almost any problem.

[djcolt]

Finally a real world education after all those years in school. Thanks.

[jd]

Most important thing before you see the car - go to the internet and check the discussion groups pertaining the model your car you want to buy.

[Emma_combat]

106 craigslist scamers didn't like this video lol

[brusk]

Also remember to do an undercarriage inspection as well... make sure u don’t have bad rails or tie downs they get torn sometimes when the vehicle gets towed... they are very important structural components

[NikiDaDude]

ChrisFix suggests you open the oil cap on an idling engine, but I'd say first make sure the timing chain isn't anywhere near it unless you want oil spraying everywhere.
Don't ask me how I learned that.

[Eubanksproductions]

Great I know you can't cover everything; but BRAKES you have to check the brakes. Brake jobs can costs anywhere between $500 and $1, 000. A simple visual inspection of the rotor to see if there are any deep grooves cut into the surface is a must!

[laramatthews]

This video would've saved me from all of the bad car decisions I've made so far. Thnx for sparing me any more!

[NINZIE]

Your a poor mans Scotty Kilmer, at least you dont hate all cars that arent Toyota. Keep up the good work

[juancabeza]

Don't let the owner turn up the radio volume when doing the drive test. Gently turn it down/off again to hear everything! Also, make sure you go into a bumpy/uneven road to hear any abnormal noises!

[elizabethbramley]

I wanted to say thank you for all your information you share to help all of us. I used your information in many of your videos in order to choose a used car. Just got a 2010 Infiniti G37 AWD xS (Sport version with all the bells and whistles and Bose audio sound system, etc and the awesome super duper suspension system) for 14K... It only had 47 K miles. THanks so much for all the help on explaining the engines.

[chadpugh]

Also, when you go on your drive test(?), make sure u have the radio off. And if the owner is with u and is talking a lot or talking loudly, that's a red flag.

[jshepard]

7:51 Nice info. You can also check to see if the markings on the glass panels match. Usually insurance companies replace glass with the cheapest possible replacement and don't try to match manufacturers. So if there's matching glass all around, most likely there were no major accidents.

[maaaak]

You're the first guy I've seen that checks the oil filler cap (or just inside the valve cover) for build-up. That's the first thing I do when inspecting a car, it shows if regular oil changes have been made. Even a high mileage car will have a clean cap if the oil has been changed regularly and often. And if the valve cover is aluminum the color on the aluminum shows how often the oil has been changed. Light amber- every 3, 000 miles. A little darker amber to light brown- every 5, 000 miles. Very dark or black- hardly ever. A dip stick won't show this since new oil shows clean every time on the dip stick.     IMPORTANT: There is one thing you did miss that's an easy one though. You mentioned oil and coolant mixing from a blown head gasket BUT there's one more thing with a blown head gasket (or cracked block) that's easy to check. Is the radiator or its overflow tank blowing bubbles? That would show a leak from the cylinder to the coolant (instead of oil to water or visa-versa) and is one of the main reasons people try to sell their cars quickly. A short test drive might not show a problem with that one but a longer one would cause loss of coolant and/or overheating. A coolant system full of bubbles doesn't cool very well. Since a leak from the cylinder to the coolant or oil is the most common head gasket leak it's important to check for those bubbles in the coolant. Unfortunately a leak from the cylinder to the oil usually won't show up unless there's a lot of blow-by  but if it's that bad the engine will not run well. By the way most radiator shops will do a free (or low cost) CO2 tests on the radiator that shows if combustion gasses are entering the coolant.

[renostubbs]

This demonstration was hands down brilliant, thank you sir.

[grride]

Really good pointers to look for before buying or doing a self diagnosis on your own car’s mechanical condition. Awesome stuff👍🏾

[flyingbassett]

These are great videos. Really surprised your Patreon page didn't get more traction, (pun intended), you've already saved me about 500 bucks. Keep doing what you're doing. Loved these videos.

[NJ]

Very informative! Thanks a ton! One of the best videos out there for someone looking for a used ride. Best of luck everyone!

[vinnyjay]

I'm so glad you bought an ecotec, now you could teach me all the maintenance there is!!!