When a builder buys a home you can bet that it wont have termites or a weak foundation. When a mechanic shops for a car a similar expectation is there but there is more at work than a simple inspection of the vehicle. When a mechanic shops for a car he must evaluate the seller and history of the car as the biggest indication of what to buy and what to avoid.
Every car requires maintenance in order to run properly and every car owner has a different idea what "maintenance" means. By asking informed questions of the seller you can often determine if the car has been serviced regularly. This is why a car might have a slightly higher perceived value if it has only had one owner. If this person has taken care of the car well, then you have found a used car that has been well maintained for its entire life - and this is a good thing.
Mostly a mechanic will be looking for indications in the seller and the car itself that is has been well serviced or abused / neglected. There are a number of different areas of the car that must be inspected for damage or neglect. At the very top of the list of things to avoid is any transmission, especially automatic, that behaves in a strange way when driving or makes any sort of whining or grinding noises. You ideally do not want to buy a car with any major problems but transmissions re especially expensive with a new replacement often costing more than the value of the car itself.
As part of the mechanical inspection you will also need to look for smoke, leaks or drips, physical damage, rust and rot as well as a number of other mechanical components. Vehicles that have been in storage or sitting for even a few weeks or more will often require additional repairs that a daily driver might not.
Where a savvy shopper or price aware mechanic might save additional money when buying a car is by considering peripheral and long term costs such as expected longevity, replacement parts cost and availability, insurance premiums, fuel mileage and vehicle reputation / consumer reviews.
The process of buying a car most common is to inspect and test drive the vehicle and present an offer usually lower than the asking price. Once a price has been negotiated a deposit equal to 10% the value of the sale, or another amount agreed to by both parties, is left and a receipt is written up and signed by both parties. It is preferable to include drivers license information on this receipt to legitimize the transaction and protect the buyer and the seller.
In most places before a car can be driven legally it must pass an inspection, an emissions test, or both. If a car requires a safety certification before you can legally assume ownership this will entail items relevant to safety such as brakes, tires, steering, lights, mirrors, frame, and body etc. These items must be repaired prior to transferring the vehicle into your name.
When transferring a car into your name you will most likely pay tax on the price you paid for the car. Additionally you will pay transfer fees and administrative costs and you will also require insurance. Insurance will require information about the car including the safety certificate and emissions test pass results in most places.
Once you can prove valid insurance you can obtain license plates for the car and begin legally driving it. The period after you buy the car and before you can legally drive it you may purchase temporary insurance by the day to help facilitate moving the vehicle and completing these tasks. The exact process required in your area will depend on where you live.
The more research that you do before going to look at any cars the better you will be able to make an informed decision and recognize a good deal when you find one.
Steven Goodale is the author of "Used Car Buying - Tips From A Mechanic" which is a free ebook available at http://www.UsedCarBuying.ca and contains a step by step process of inspecting all major components of a used car. You can reach Steven through his website http://www.eBusinessCanada.ca or by calling 1-888-267-0802
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