4 things you MUST check before you buy any used car! CAR WIZARD shows how not to be scammed!

Buying a used vehicle shouldn't be a gamble with your checkbook. There are 4 basic areas that you must check before you buy any vehicle to ensure you don't get a lemon. Let the CAR WIZARD 🧙‍♂️ show what they are and exactly what you need to look for.

📷 INSTAGRAM @realcarwizard 📷

[LawnGardenFun]

Don’t forget the classic trick of covering up the check engine light. Turn the key to on but don’t start it. Check engine light will be on. If not, huge red flag.

[clover]

17 out of 20 of the used cars for sale right now need immediate attention. And 20 out of 20 are overpriced.

[BlueXonar]

Key point. ASK if you can remove the engine cover, and if they say no, ask why not.
Don't just rip it off and expect the seller to stand there and not say anything.

[bjoernaltmann]

Very helpful! Just one more to add: the parking lot test. Park directly next to a painted line in the parking lot and then look at the reflection in the side of the car. If the (straight) line is all distorted and wavy, the car had impact damage. Doesn’t matter if they used filler and the paint is smooth as such, you will still see it.

[aspalovin]

If you show up and the car is running or engine is hot, 99% of the time something is wrong.

[TheKillertoma]

The best advice I ever got about buying used cars was to be very careful about buying a car that was just running or is when you arrive.
There's a good chance they are hiding something

[postersm]

19:30 The one thing you missed is before you start the engine just turn on the key and make sure all the bulbs light up particularly the check engine bulb. A lot of times people will remove them but of course your code scanner should pick that up. But you should check all the bulbs in the dash

[grntchstrmdws]

I always take a car to the dealership for a “pre-purchase” inspection. Dealer mechanics tend to know the specific weaknesses of a particular model that won’t show up in diagnostic codes. These inspections are very thorough. And they include a list of any needed repairs and a parts list and the cost of the repairs. A good investment of $250. If you’re too far from a dealership, consult a trusted mechanic. If the seller won’t allow this inspection, walk away.

[terrylessmann]

Or you can use the Hoovie "Car Issues" approach: show up, rev the engine twice, shake hands, hand over an envelope of ca$h, and leave. Takes substantially less time.

[eduardoig]

One thing I look for when looking on used cars is whether both headlights are equally as faded. If one headlight is crystal clear and the other one is a bit foggy that’s a good indication that the car was in an accident.

[kitdinker]

Section 1.2 - Current registration. You could find a car with a clean title and they haven't registered it for 5 years. You will be on the hook for past registration, fees, penalties, etc.
Also, when I go to look at a car I talk myself into not wanting it before I look at it. After inspection, if enough boxes get checked I may change my mind. Much better than going into this with " i want this car I want this car I want this car" and after you get home saying "I wish I never bought this car."

[TheePrettyGirlSwag]

I went to MD to NJ myself, as a woman, to purchase an Eclipse. I purchased a cheap code reader before I left. Put the code reader in the eclipse. I forgot what code came on but I called my mechanic and cousin with the code. They both said it was the catalytic converter. He wasn’t willing to bargain is what he told me when i initially asked. I walked away from the headache from the one small investment. Obviously the code had been turned off but the issue not fixed.

[jordanbell]

I would always check the tires. Worn tires are one thing, but uneven wear indicates that something is up with the suspension. And if the tire brands don't match, or it is running a budget brand that you've never even heard of, you know that the owner has tried to run it on a shoestring budget.

[kieranpickavance]

Barely 3 minutes in and I can concede that I do not know how to buy a car 😂 I will definitely be watching this a few times to get the information stuck in my mind for when I do, I will be finding a mechanic to pay for him to look it over and make a recommendation, thank you sir

[asdgfsnadfklasjdfkasdfknla]

One other thing is make sure the engine is cold when you get there. If its already warmed up walk away. Some cars seem fine when warmed up, but cold they are completely different. I had an Audi that ran fine once it was warmed up, but when it was cold was really hard to start.

[dougfisher]

*You can be scammed with the coolant reservoir/expansion tank. I've seen where they will clean it out real nice, then they will take off the hose and plug it off with something, put the hose back on with the restriction in it, then fill it with clean fluid. Looks can be deceiving and they do this to hide a serious problem. Pop that hose off and check it if you're suspicious about it.*

[Avexxis]

It’s actually good to rev it if you have another person/camera looking at the engine. If it moves out of place at all, it likely has a broken motor mount. Unexpected engine movement can lead to dozens of problems. Water/vacuum hose stress, wire stress, etc.

[brianeno]

Wizard, don't forget the gaps between body panels, and the shifted bolt marks!

[markwest]

I walked away from a vehicle the minute I opened up the oil cap. I looked into the valve cover and all I saw was white milk. More important than most of the other stuff. I am surprised the car wizard did not mention this Major Red

[VoloKinProject]

One thing I would add is do a proper research of the model, find what usually goes wrong with it and make sure most of those problems have sorted alredy, otherwise thing can get really expensive. For example: old Mercedes CL or S class - ABC suspension. Jaguar XJ8/XK8 chain tensioners. Northstar engine - headgasket and so on.