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Buy a used car instead of a new one and you could unearth a real gem of a deal.  But there’s also the possibility that the brightest, shiniest gems you find turn out to be nothing more than camouflaged lemons.

How do you sort out the duds from the studs in your search for used cars? A professional mechanic you trust should perform an inspection on any used car you’re thinking of buying. This applies not only to used cars for sale by owner, but to vehicles from used car dealerships as well.

But before you make an appointment to take that used Honda, used BMW, or whatever kind of used car for sale that has piqued your interest to your trusted mechanic, you could perform a basic inspection yourself.  If you spot a lemon early enough, you can skip the professional inspection, saving you time and money.

So make sure you bring along a flashlight, some paper towels, a hand-held mirror, and a small magnet. It’s a good idea to bring a notebook and writing utensil as well to record your results and some hand sanitizer to clean up. If the car has a stereo, you might want to bring a CD or cassette, too, to test to see if the system still works. With all of this on hand, here is used car inspection checklist for the eleven points you should inspect before deciding to buy the used car.  It could also help you in your negotiations depending on the issues you find.

1. Check the car history report

Ask for the used vehicle’s VIN number. The seller should have the number available on his or her insurance card or the vehicle title.  But you should still confirm the number yourself.  The number is typically located beneath the vehicle’s windshield. Use this VIN number to order a car history report.  You can visit an online service like Carfax or AutoCheck to get a full history report on the car.  This step is crucial; accident and repair history are essential in determining if that shiny coat of paint is hiding something!

2. Check the condition of the used vehicle’s body

Walk around the entire length of the car and bend down and use the flashlight and mirror to look at some out-of-sight seams. Are the gaps around the doors even? Are there signs of rust, particularly above the tires? (This is likely due to salt on the roads in the winter, but it could be signs of a previous accident.) Is the color mismatched in any place? Use the magnet to see if the body is actual metal or Bondo, which is often used in vehicle restoration.

3.  Check the tires

What’s the brand of the tires? Are they worn? Are there any cracks? What about the condition of the rims?

4.  Check the engine

Make sure the engine is off (and has been for a time) and pop the hood. Bring along your paper towels. Is the engine relatively clean? Are there any signs of rust? Pop off the oil filler cap. Are there any thick black deposits? (This isn’t a good sign.)

5.  Check the engine’s oil

Make sure the car is still off.  Pull out the dipstick, wipe it as clean as you can with the paper towel, insert the dipstick back into the engine, and pull it out again. There should be “full” and “low” indicators. How high is the current level of oil? Is it a pale amber color (good) or a dark, sludgy color (bad)?

6.  Check the automatic transmission fluid

Make sure the car is level, the transmission is in park, and the parking break is on. Turn on the car’s engine. After it idles for a time, pull out the transmission dipstick and wipe it with a paper towel. Place it back and pull it out again. If the car had just been turned on, the fluid should be in between the “cold” indicators. (If it had been driven for a time directly prior to this check, expect it to be within the “hot” indicators.) It should also be a clear reddish color. A brown, sludgy color means it has not been maintained.

If the transmission is manual, you can skip this step. However, when you take the used car for a test drive, make sure that all gear shifts are smooth and that, when driving in second or third gear, a sudden acceleration doesn’t make the clutch slip.

7.  Check the brake fluid level

If it’s low, it could be leaking and/or the brake pads could be wearing.

8.  Check the engine coolant

Make sure it’s relatively full and a yellowish-green color.

9.  Do a final under-hood check with the flashlight and mirror

Does the fan belt look worn? Is anything rusty or leaking? (The air conditioning condenser may be leaking slightly if it has just been used, but this is normal.)

10.   Check the interior of the car

Are the seats worn or stained? How about the flooring? Do the visors and cupholders stick? What’s the condition of the seatbelts?

11.  Test the electrical features

Make sure to try the car’s indoor lights and the power window controls. Turn on the car to test both the air conditioning and the heat. Here’s also when you can test the music system with the CD or cassette and rock out while you decide if you’ve got a real gem or lemon on your hands!

For more information on used cars, visit blog.iseecars.com which provides tips, advice, and commentary on searching and buying used cars.  The blog is written by the team at iSeeCars.com, a search engine for used cars for sale, created by guys who think buying used cars are better than buying new and who are passionate about building a better tool for users to search for used cars.

This blog is written by the team at iSeeCars.com, a Google-like search engine for used cars for sale posted on sites like Craigslist, eBay, and many other car classifieds websites.  The mission of iSeeCars.com is to provide unbiased and useful tips and tools to help used car buyers make better decisions. 

Buying a used car is a great way to save some money and still get the car you’ve been searching for. Whether you’re constrained by your pocketbook or have certain automotive needs that must be met (such as a backseat for the kids or four-wheel drive for winter weather), today’s used car options deliver almost everything new cars do – and at a lower overall cost.

1. Depreciation

The second you drive a new car off the lot, its value depreciates by as much as 20 percent. Studies show that most cars are only worth 60 to 70 percent of their original value three years after their purchase. When you buy a used car, all the depreciation has already been absorbed by the original owner.

2. No Overpriced Dealer Repairs

When you purchase certain makes and models of new cars, the parts covered under warranty aren’t valid if you use your own mechanic. In these instances, your only choice is to return to the dealership to get your repairs done. This is basically the dealership’s way of getting you into their shops with their overpriced service. When you buy a used car, you can get repairs done on your own terms.

3. Save Money

Buying used cars – whether you are buying from a used car dealership, car classifieds, or online sites like Craigslist – simply costs less money than buying new. New cars run an average of $25,000, while used cars are closer to the $10,000 range. If you’re buying from a private seller, you might even be able to haggle the price down or barter to keep costs low.

4. Save the Planet

While buying a hybrid car might seem like a great way to go green, it actually takes more energy to build a new hybrid than it does to buy a fuel-efficient used car. Every time a hybrid comes off the assembly line, it takes about 46,000 miles of driving before the car “breaks even” in the amount of energy it saves through fuel efficiency. Buying a used car in the first place – as long as it’s not a gas guzzler – will actually reduce your carbon footprint.

5. Lower Car Insurance Rates

Car insurance rates are higher for new cars than they are for used cars. The reasons are simple: new cars are more likely to be financed (and therefore need full coverage), and annual insurance rates can run as high as 20 percent of a car’s sticker price. Buying a newer, more expensive model can end up costing you money for years.

6. Higher Used Car Standards

Thanks to new lemon laws and auto history check websites, it has become easier than ever to determine if a used car has undergone any major damage. Some used car dealerships also offer used car certification, which guarantees that they have been looked over and approved by a qualified mechanic.

7. Avoiding Car Dealerships

When buying a used car, you have a number of places to look. You can peruse car classifieds, visit eBay or Craigslist, or opt for a used car dealership. New cars typically only come from one place – the dealer – so you have limited options when it comes to salesmen and haggling over prices.

8. Finding Good Deals

Owners of new cars can be a pretty finicky set. Many people turn over their cars after one or two years simply as a matter of course, while others may decide that the monthly payments are too high to continue. If you take the time to look for quality used cars, you might find some incredibly good deals from individuals who are motivated to sell.

9. More Bang for Your Buck

When you drive a new car straight off the lot, you typically pay for every added feature. When you upgrade to include a sunroof, tinted windows, and a spoiler, you can leave with a total price thousands of dollars higher than the sticker price. Used cars with these same amenities might cost a little more than those without, but not nearly to the same extent.

10. Used Cars can be just as Reliable if carefully inspected

Although buying a new car may seem like a more responsible choice, no car purchase is guaranteed to be hassle-free. Factory recalls, faulty parts, and required maintanence repairs can occur just as easily in a new car as they can in a used car. As long as you have your used car purchase checked out and you take good care of it, the overall reliability of your car can be just as good as a new car.  Further, cars have also become more reliable with advances in technology.

Buying a car – regardless of whether you choose new or used – is a major endeavor that can put a strain on your finances for years. Fortunately, most of the benefits of buying a used car have to do with money. As long as you take your time, evaluate your prospective purchases, and have a mechanic check out the used car before you buy it, you and your used car can spend many happy years together.

For more information on used cars, visit blog.iseecars.com which provides tips, advice, and commentary on searching and buying used cars.  The blog is written by the team at iSeeCars.com, a search engine for used cars for sale, created by guys who think buying used cars are better than buying new and who are passionate about building a better tool for users to search for used cars.

You’re looking for a new car and you’ve decided to buy used. Smart choice! With the price of gas and the state of the economy, shelling out all that extra cash for a brand new car when a used car can be just as fuel efficient and a much better deal is like tossing your cash into your car’s fuel tank and literally burning that money away.

Craigslist, eBay, car classifieds, and used car search engines like iSeeCars.com make finding used cars for sale so much easier than ever before. But you have to be careful—there’s bound to be a few lemons out there that will leave you with more than just a sour taste in your mouth. Making a major purchase like a car—even if, or perhaps especially if, it’s a cheap used car—requires that you do all of your homework. Remain in control and no one will be able to pull the wool over your eyes!

Here are the top ten questions you should ask a used car seller before you sign on the dotted line:

1. Can you tell me why you’re selling this car? Used car dealerships might not know (but they may know why the last owner sold it to them), but all private sellers you might find through Craigslist, eBay, or car classifieds ought to answer. If possible, watch their facial expressions when they answer, too, in case they’re not being entirely truthful. If they’re moving or can no longer afford payments for the car, the car is more likely to be of higher quality. If it’s because it’s very old or has required many repairs, make sure you know if the price is fair and understand what you’re getting into.

2. What is the car’s mileage? Car mileage plays a large part in determining the used car’s value. And remember that used car odometers can be tampered with, which is why you should ask…

3. Will you allow a test drive? Any used car dealership should have no problem letting you test drive their used cars for sale around town. Private sellers might be more reticent, but assure them you’ll allow them to accompany you on the trip. Test drives are essential for noticing problems with the car as well as for making sure that the car is the right fit for you. You’ll also be able to notice if the odometer appears to be “stuck” or has problems.

4. Will you allow me to make my own inspection? If they’re reputable, both used car dealers and private sellers should have no problem with you bringing the car to a trusted mechanic for a thorough inspection.

5. Is there a warranty on the car? If you’re buying from a used car dealership, go for the certified used cars. A lot of used car dealerships offer 112-point inspections and two-year/20,000 miles+ warranties on low- to average-mileage used cars.  Some used cars for sale may come with existing factory warranties.  When buying from a used car for sale by owner, unless there’s an existing factory warranty, the car is typically sold as-is.

6. Has this car ever been refurbished or been in an accident? If the used BMW car that’s caught your eye was once in an accident, there might be more damage underneath that freshly-painted coat than meets the eye.

7. What is the vehicle’s history? Certified used cars and other used cars for sale at used car dealerships ought to come with vehicle history reports. (Oftentimes these are even available when you search for used cars online.) Used cars for sale by owner might have official vehicle history reports, but if they don’t, you should be able to purchase them online at sites like Carfax or Autocheck using the VIN# of the car.

8. Are you the original owner of this car? If you want quality, it’s best to choose used cars for sale by the original owner—unless each owner of the car used it for a short period of time. This actually isn’t a moot question for a used car dealer, either; it’s possible that car was for sale just a few years ago as a brand-new car and never got off the lot.

9. What are the car’s special features? If CD player, navigation or GPS system, leather seats, or anything else that’s “extra” is important to you, ask if they’re available in the used car that you’re considering—and if they’re still in good, working condition.

10. Do you have service or maintenance records for the car? If the owner has kept good records and has followed the manufacturer’s suggestions for scheduled maintenance like changing oil every so many miles, that would be a good indication of how well the car was taken care of.