15 parts to check when buying a used car

(Baonghean.vn)- Carefully checking the parts of a used car will help the buyer identify the condition of use and operating history of the car, avoiding risks when buying a used car.

To buy a used car, in addition to the price and appearance, the buyer needs to know some technical notes to choose the best product. The following notes will help the buyer accurately assess the condition of the used car.

Engine

Checking the engine here includes starting the engine and compression. The time it takes to start the engine, whether the engine sounds "smooth" or quiet, will help skilled people detect engine problems. The compression gauge will help the mechanic check whether the pressure created by the cylinder is up to standard or not.

Body

Checking the bodywork is the first thing you should do when approaching a used car. Checking the paint, flatness, curvature of the shell, rust are factors that can be seen with the naked eye, through which you can partly determine the age or durability of the car.

Control Panel

The dashboard and buttons or touch screen need to be precise, providing all the necessary information about the vehicle's status and the journey. Test all the buttons, even the smallest ones such as volume, song change to make sure that all parts of the car work smoothly together.

Door

It is necessary to determine whether the car door closes tightly or not, whether there are exposed details or warped. If a car has been in a collision, the above signs may appear, depending on the severity.

Windshield

Inspect all front and rear windows and windshields for signs of a possible collision. Note any signs of wear, cracks, or looseness when applied lightly. These may indicate that the vehicle has been in a collision and has not been properly maintained.

Radiator, pipes

The radiator is the first part that is easy to check under the hood. If the fluid is low and there is a dirty appearance, it shows that the previous owner did not pay much attention to this part. The technician will also carefully check the radiator fins to make sure they are not thin or porous. The coolant line should also be examined to see if it needs to be replaced.

Engine block

If the gasket is worn, oil will leak out from under the engine block. In case the engine block does not leak oil, it is still possible that the previous user used a thick oil with specifications such as 20W-40 or 30W-50. Thick oil can prevent black smoke for cars with loose bearings. In fact, you should use oil according to the manufacturer's requirements.

HVAC (heating and cooling system)

HVAC is the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system of the car. For countries with harsh climates like Vietnam, checking the HVAC system is even more necessary.

Tires, suspension system

Car buyers need to test drive the car in addition to observing with the naked eye. Tire noise will be louder if the tires are worn. Usually the noise comes from the two rear wheels. For 4-wheel drive cars, the two front wheels will have more wear due to the active brakes first.

The suspension system is equally important, try driving the car on different types of terrain to check the response.

Exhaust pipe

The first thing is to try to accelerate hard to check the amount of smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe, whether it is a strange color or not. If there is a problem, it means that the vehicle is low on oil or has not had an oil change for a long time, or the exhaust pipe or engine is having problems in the combustion or exhaust process. Also, do not easily accept a vehicle with an exhaust pipe that is too old, which can be punctured at any time.

Tripod

Replacing the engine mounts can be expensive if they break. There are a total of four rubber mounts. To check them, open the hood, shift into first gear, and press the accelerator. If the engine jerks backwards or upwards, it’s time to replace them. The rubber mounts are also fairly easy to see with the naked eye. This is common on older cars.

Car lights

The lighting system is essential when traveling at night or through foggy or rainy areas. Front and rear headlights, brake lights and signal lights all need to be tested for brightness, distance and lifespan.

Brakes

If you do not feel the brake pedal firmly, or if you feel the car or steering wheel vibrate when you brake, or if you hear a screeching or metallic sound when you brake, the cause may be a lack of brake fluid, or an oil leak; the brake disc is too worn and needs to be resurfaced, or the brake lining is worn.

Clutch

For manual transmission cars, the way to tell if the clutch is worn is to release the brake pedal completely, shift into 2nd gear, press the accelerator and slowly release the clutch. If you press the accelerator hard but the car does not move, you need to replace the clutch immediately. Another way is to turn off the car and engage the clutch. If there is a noise, it means the clutch is worn.

Gear

The gearbox should also be checked carefully at different speeds, especially with manual transmissions, checking for strange noises when shifting gears, whether the accelerator pedal is evenly engaged with the clutch, and poor traction are all signs that the vehicle's transmission system needs to be checked. These should be considered before purchasing.

In addition to the parts that need to be checked above, used car buyers need to repair and replace spare parts periodically. For example, manual transmission cars need to replace the clutch every 100,000 km (depending on the specific car) or replace the timing belt every 90,000 km. For automatic transmission cars, the transmission oil and engine oil must be changed after replacing the timing belt about 90,000 - 100,000 km.

If you can't do the pre-purchase checks yourself, ask a reputable garage to do it for you. The cost of a full inspection and diagnosis is usually not too expensive and is well worth the risk of buying a car in poor condition.

Ngoc Anh

(Synthetic)

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