Introduction

One of the biggest differences when buying a used vehicle instead of new, is the lack of information regarding the car's service history and how it was cared for. Before you buy a used car or truck, it only makes sense to find out as much about its history as possible. This can be a difficult task but 1st Source Bank will help make it easier than ever before.

Use the buttons at the right to guide you in interviewing the seller, taking a meaningful test drive, evaluating what you've learned, and more. 1st Source provides you with the information that will aid you in choosing a great preowned vehicle.

Interview the Current Owner

Shopping for a new vehicle can involve a great deal of time and energy. Before you leave your home, speak with the seller on the phone and find out all you can about the car. You may eliminate some vehicles without leaving the comfort of your easy chair. Here are some questions you can ask over the telephone:

• Why are you selling this car? Be suspicious of odd answers or nervousness on the seller's part.
• How many miles are on the odometer?
• What kind of condition is the car in? You already know what you can and can't live with. When you finally see the car, if the condition is different than described on the phone, become suspicious.
• What special features does it have?
• Are you the original owner?
• Has the car or truck ever been involved in an accident?
• Are the service records available?
• What is the asking price?

Remember, if you forget to ask an important question over the phone, write it down so you'll remember when you go see the vehicle. Use these same questions when meeting the seller in person. Beware if the answers you get when you're face to face are different than those you heard on the phone.

Before The Test Drive

Before you even get into the car, do a thorough walk around. There are a lot of obvious things to look for like rust, dents, fluids leaking on the pavement, etc. When you're in the presence of the seller it's easy to become nervous or pressured and overlook important points. It's a good idea to take a check list so you don't forget anything. Always make sure you examine the car in a well lighted area. Wear the kind of clothes that will allow you to get on the ground so you can inspect the underside of the doors, quarter-panels, and exhaust system. Taking a flash light along to view the underside of the vehicle is a good idea.

• It's difficult to hide rust. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Again, pay special attention to the underside of the doors, door frames, and quarter-panels. While you're down there, use your flashlight to check for leaking fluids.
• Check the tires. Do they have enough tread to be safe? Use a penny and remember, if you see Lincoln's head there's not enough tread. Uneven wear may indicate that the front end is out of alignment.
• Check how well the trunk lid, hood, and doors open and shut. A poor fit could be the result of an accident.
• While we're on the subject of accidents, you can check for nonmetallic dent filler by using a magnet; the flexible kind you put on your refrigerator works best. They won't stick to plastics or fiberglass.
• When you check out the trunk, make sure there's a decent spare tire and all the parts for the tire jack are there. Also, lift up the mat and look for rust.
• You don't have to be a mechanic to look under the hood. Are there signs of leaking oil or fluids, or signs that the bumpers have been painted over? Take a mental picture; you'll want to look again following the drive to see if there are any surprises after the engine gets hot.

The Test Drive

A large part of the test drive is simply to see if you like the car. Are the seats comfortable? Do you like the way it drives and rides? Is there good visibility? Of course there are several mechanical points to investigate as well.

• Does it accelerate smoothly and have the kind of power you're looking for?
• Listen closely for odd engine or transmission noises. Don't play the radio now, you can check that later. You want to make sure you can hear noises that don't belong.
• When you take your hands off the wheel (safely and for a very short period of time) does the car drift to the left or right? Pulling in one direction or the other can indicate an alignment problem.
• After going over bumps or railroad tracks does the vehicle bounce excessively indicating worn out shocks? Does it sway and lean going through a curve?
• Are the brakes firm or spongy? Do they make a lot of noise when applied?
• Test the cruise control and other accessories like the heater, air conditioner, and electric windows. Yes, you can turn on the radio now.
• Remember the mental picture you took of the engine compartment before the drive began? Take another look. Some leaks are not apparent when the engine is cold. Do you see anything that wasn't there before? While the motor is still running listen again for odd engine noises.

Recall History

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, or NHSTA, is charged with the responsibility of investigating possible design defects in the cars and trucks we drive. If they receive enough complaints about a particular problem with a particular vehicle, they investigate. Their research may lead to a manufacturer's recall. It's easy and quick to check the car you're thinking about purchasing by accessing the NHSTA's web site. All you have to do is enter the vehicle's make, model, and year; any recall information will be provided almost instantly.

Before you leave the NHSTA site, you might want to check out some of the other information they offer. You can read safety ratings and safety studies, recall notices, and many articles on almost every aspect of auto safety.

Vehicle History Reports

There are more ways to investigate a used car's history than ever before. It's fast and easy to check the background on a car or truck you may be considering, as long as you know the make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN*). You can also find out if the vehicle is a lemon or if it has ever suffered flood damage. Uncovering the fact that a car has a salvage title should reduce its value up to 50%. A little time spent on research can pay big benefits. Find out what a salvage title is and just how many vehicle records exist on the particular car or truck you're thinking of purchasing.