How to inspect a used car for sale.

• Walk around the car. Look for rust, dents, mismatched paint, or any scratches. Make sure to check the bottom of the doors, truck, hood, and fenders for rust.

• Take a magnet to any areas around the car that have mismatched paint. If the magnet does not stick, this will indicate that the area has been repaired using body filler. Body filler doesn't stand up to the test of time and will drastically reduce the used car value.

• Open each door and inspect the door opening for rust or mismatched paint.

• Open the hood. Check that the oil is a honey colour, and that the automatic transmission fluid (if an auto transmission) is a reddish colour. Does the oil or transmission fluid smell burnt? If so, this could indicate some expensive repairs.

• Inspect the coolant. It should be green or yellow depending on the make. Some vehicles may be equipped with long life coolant that is an orange colour. This will be indicated under the hood.

• Inspect the engine bay of the used car for sale for excess rust, or mismatched paint.

• Listen to the engine. it should sound smooth, with no clunking sounds.

• Do a visual inspection of the trunk. Feel around the trunk for moisture. Look under the trunk floor where the spare tire is kept. If possible, remove the spare tire and look for any water or moisture of any kind. This could lead to rust in the future.

• Look how the fenders match up to the hood. If the fenders are not properly aligned this could indicate a previous accident.

• Take a look at the tires. Check for worn areas. This could indicate that the used car for sale is in need of an alignment.

• Once inside the car, check to make sure the a/c, radio, windshield wipers, power seats (if so equipped) and other switches are properly working.

• Remove the floor mats and feel the carpet for moisture. If the carpet has been wet for a while, rust could begin to develop under the carpet.

Time for a test drive

• Before you take the test drive, have someone press the accelerator while the engine is on. You should go around back looking at the exhaust. If you notice any blue or dark smoke, this could indicate the engine is burning oil. Never buy a used car for sale that is burning excessive amounts oil as there will be some serious engine repairs needed in the near future.

• As you put the transmission into drive, make sure the car does not make any rough sounds. It should go into Drive smoothly.

• As you drive, remove your hand from the steering wheel. Does the car pull to one side? If so, it'll need an alignment.

• Remove your hands again but this time as you're braking. The car should brake straight but if it pulls to one side you'll need to get the brakes adjusted.

• The transmission should shift smoothly from gear to gear.

• Take the car up to highway speeds. It should be smooth, with no excess vibrating.

• Upon returning from the test drive, check the oil and transmission fluid again. If the fluid smells burnt there is a problem.

When looking at a used car for sale, always take your time. Have a mechanic inspect the car before you sign the deal and remember never buy a used car without checking a history report!