Checking Out a Used Car

When you take possession of a used car purchase there is no 10-day, 7-day or even 24-hour cooling-off period (unless it’s written into the agreement) that allows you to change your mind about it. It’s yours and even if you discover a serious flaw after-the-fact you may still have a real fight on your hands in order to get a seller to take a car back.

Sometimes a great car deal just falls into your lap. Someone you know, who takes great care of his or her car, is selling it for a reasonable price. Worse case scenario is when you’re pushed for time and it's a mad scramble to get the best of what's out there.

The internet has lots of both good and bad auto consumer information on cars. You can get used car values from the last 10 years with the Canadian Black Book. Read more publications about other consumer information on bcaa.com, like Consumer Reports magazine, which rate vehicles based on an owner survey, are also excellent.

Draw up a short list of cars, in your price range, before you head out to "kick tires" and shop around for the right one. It’s certainly wise to do a lien and accident search if it’s a private sale. Almost every used car will have some flaws, what you definitely want to avoid is a big costly fix, a vehicle with major mechanical or structural problems.

Before you buy, have it checked by an auto mechanic of your choice. The easiest way to do this is to make it a condition of the sale, assuming you like the car and have agreed on a price. A subject agreement still allows you to back out of the deal if something really bad is discovered by your mechanic, or renegotiate for other repairs.

"My job is to give a buyer peace of mind and help him or her make an informed decision on a used car purchase," said BCAA Vehicle Inspector, Bob Moran. This unique service is offered to both members and non-members. Moran is one of five mobile inspectors who provide the same service at a dealer car lot or at a person’s home or work location.

 "I had another one yesterday with absolutely no engine oil showing on the dip-stick, we come across that with surprising regularity these days," said Moran. "The engine was bone dry, it wasn’t leaking out, so it was either burning oil fast or it had not been serviced in a long, long time - probably both now." 

In other parts of the province, members can have the same 143-point used car pre-inspection performed by a designated BCAA Approved Auto Repair facility.

Some things are best left to the experts but you can do some initial checking of your own. Using your eyes, ears and nose, this ten-point car check list will help you sniff out those auto lemons.

Ten tips from the auto pros:

1. Tire wear: Uneven tire wear indicates a steering or a suspension problem. At best it’s an alignment adjustment, but it could also be worn-out or bent components.
   
   
2. Musty smell: Water generally collects in the car’s lower regions – the floor pan and the spare wheel well in the trunk. How water is getting in is not always easy to figure out.
   
   
3. Sweet smell: Anti-freeze leaking from the heater core will give a sweet odour inside the car. If the windshield fogs, when set on defog, that’s another sign of a leaky heater.
   
   
4. No oil: Even if you’re technically-challenged you probably know what an oil dip-stick is and generally it’s easy to find under the hood, the handle is usually a bright yellow colour.
   
   
5. No smoking: A lot of smoke coming from the tailpipe is generally not a good sign, particularly after the engine reaches its normal operating temperature and especially if the smoke has a blue (oil burning) tint.
   
   
6. No clicking: Your road test should include a tight u-turn in both directions. A clicking sound from a front wheel usually indicates a CV-joint problem.
   
   
7. Warning light:  Modern cars have on-board diagnostic systems that tell you when there’s a problem. The check engine, air bag, ABS etc. warning lights should illuminate on start-up and then go out.
   
   
8. See the light: Not only make sure all the lights are working, also look for water condensation inside each light lens, especially the headlights.
   
   
9. Power up: Check the function of all power features, seat adjustments, windows, locks, etc.
   
   
10. Cool down: When you turn on the air conditioning system, listen for an under-hood click and slight drop in engine speed. This indicates that the compressor has engaged - a good thing! Cold air from the vents is also a good sign that it works.

Want BCAA to check a used car? Use the mobile inspection service go to a seller’s location in Greater Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay to Chilliwack)? Call 604-298-2755 for more information.