8 signs that an old car is about to become scrap metal, you should not buy it
(Baonghean.vn) - Used cars that are sold at extremely low prices may actually be cars that were severely damaged and have been "recycled" into bargains... Here are some seemingly minor problems with your car that you should consider to avoid buying a pile of scrap metal.
1. Unusual knocking sound in the engine
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A car engine is full of rotating and reciprocating parts that must move within certain dimensions or tolerances. However, unusual knocking sounds indicate that the engine may suddenly "die".
2. Electrical wiring has signs of wear and tear.
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New generation cars have a much better electrical system protection design than older models. However, wiring problems cannot escape aging, rats can bite, causing exposed wires, broken circuits. Cars with frayed wiring can catch fire at any time.
3. Hybrid battery is damaged
Some newer cars are hybrids. Over time, the battery may fail or become unstable. Don’t just assume that the car can still run on gasoline and ignore this problem. Gas engines are not designed to last the rest of the car’s life.
4. PCM - the "brain" of the car is removed
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The PCM (Power Control Module) is the brain of the car. It controls all the car's operations, including the engine control system (ECU) and the transmission control units (TCU). If this part has ever been opened, be careful.
If a vehicle's PCM suddenly fails, it means it has exceeded its design threshold, which can cause widespread damage to other systems such as the battery charger, fuel pump, sensors, or components linked to the control modules on the dashboard.
5. The car frame is warped due to an accident
If your car has been in an accident that caused the chassis to bend, the adjustment cannot restore the balance as before. When moving at high speed, the car's balance system will not be guaranteed, or even the bent part may become more bent and can cause dangerous accidents on the road.
6. Engine needs overhaul
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A telltale sign of this condition can be an engine that is noisier than normal, but you don't always have the ideal conditions to feel and compare.
Even if everything seems fine and the car hasn't been in an accident or flooded, you can still fall victim to the previous owner's negligence.
One important visual sign is to open the engine oil filler cap and look for signs of buildup inside the cap. If the cap is covered in coffee grounds/soot or a black sludge, this is a sign that the engine has burned oil and may need an engine overhaul.
7. The car emits thick smoke when idling at high speed
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When a car exhaust pipe emits unusual amounts of smoke, the car is definitely in trouble. Usually, cars that have undergone several major engine repairs before the smoke appears are a sign of a troubled past and are best avoided.
8. The car was water hammered
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Flooded cars may appear to be in good condition, but will have rust in many places and electrical systems are often faulty.
The experienced eye can observe through the bolts holding the engine block; check the preliminary details such as checking the floor for rust, the seat support screws are not removed (to dry the interior).
In addition to things that can be checked with the naked eye such as interior quality or body quality, many other details must be checked during the test run or must be lifted up at the service workshop. At that time, unusual signs or noises will give you the information you need to know.
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