What to look for when buying a used car in Houston

Looking at a used car and need to figure out what to look at more than anything else? Well there are a few things that you should always look at and then there are some things that are more important if you’re in Houston looking mainly because of the climate you have here.

So, some of the things you want to look at when buying a used car in Houston:

Check hoses and any vital rubber parts

Since the climate here is hot and humid rubber components take a beating and dry out. So, things like dry rot on tires and hoses are something to check for.

Also, take a good look at the rims as well and check the suspension.

Houston has some terrible pot holes and hitting one just right will definitely make a mess out of your suspension as well as bend a rim. A bent rim is not so bad for around $100 you can have it fixed or replaced most of the time. Suspension is a different matter and can get costly so check that. Drive the car see if it pulls. Push the hood and see if it bounces more than 3 times likely shocks are shot. Same thing in the rear push the trunk down and see.

Make sure the AC works.

You may think I can live without an air conditioner in my car if you’re not from here. Well trust those of us that have lived here a while you want a working AC in this town. Especially if you work in an office environment you will end up showing up sweaty which may not work so well. Also, these days if the compressor works you can shoot it with some Freon for about 20 bucks or so and be ok for a while depending on the issue or size of the leak.

So those three things are something that you should look at here in Houston

Here are some things that you should check when buying a used car no matter where it is at:

1. Check the oil and see if it has been changed recently. The lighter the color of the oil the more recent the change. If its super dark its likely not been changed in a while.
2. Checking the transmission fluid on a used car is important as well. Pull the dips stick and the fluid should be pink or reddish in color.
3. Check the tires for wear if they are clearly worn uneven you likely have an alignment or possible suspension problem. At worst, it might be a sign of frame damage which is a real serious and sometimes unfixable problem.
4. Check the paint job and see if there are any bubbles in it that would indicate rust underneath.
5. Check the exhaust system. Lift or get under the car if you can safely and inspect the exhaust system for cracks or leaks. Sometimes when you run the car you can also hear if there is a leak.
6. Check hoses and belts for wear and tear. Especially the timing belt is an important one to check.
7. Check the engine block for leaks. Look for any pooled-up oil or grime which could indicate a leaky seal. Also, check under the car for any drips or if it’s been sitting for a min after running check the concrete for a puddle.
8. Check the oil filler cap for a foamy residue on the inside. If you see that this used car is one you should pass on. This usually indicates a leaking head gasket.
9. Check the gauges. Check the mileage and gauges are all working properly. Mileage indicates age and wear and tear. Keep in mind properly maintained vehicles can take a good bit of mileage so its not always an indicator of how well a car runs.
10. Test drive the used car and make sure brakes are working there is no squealing or jumping when the brakes are engaged. Also at that time you can check if the car is aligned properly.

When purchasing a used car, it is also always a good idea to check online at a site like Edmunds.com for known defects and such. Almost every used car has different types of known issues. Therefore, a site like this becomes an important first step in purchasing a used automobile. You can show up with some knowledge of what to check on the vehicle based on what you find on Edmunds.