People are pretty easy to convince, especially with the right imagery and words. This is the weakness car dealerships explore when you go to buy a car, used or new. Most times, you may get quality at an exorbitant price. However, rationality demands that you use fewer resources to get quality. Below is a list of things to look out for when buying used trucks in Indiana or anywhere else in the country to get the best deal.
What To Look Out For
Check the openings of the truck and the body panel that has been joined to it. Start from the door by feeling to see if there are any hard and rusty edges. Examine the panels by running your hands over them to confirm whether they are wavy or uneven. Use a magnet to confirm that the panel is metallic as plastic cannot attract it.
Examine for rust in the daylight, especially where there are raised spots on the roof. Do a comparison of the age of the car and the extent of the rusk to determine whether you are comfortable buying a rust. However, it is better to avoid a car with any level of rust.
Check the inside for any leakages. The brake fluid, grease and fuel tanks should be airtight with no apertures through which it might leak. This inspection should extend to the tires where you should check for skid marks, wear and tear. If the wear is excessive, you can pass on buying the truck or get it and replace the tires.
Inspecting what is beneath the hood is the most important thing to do when buying used trucks in Indiana. There are a number of things to be inspected beneath the hood. First, check the coolant fluid. It should be a standard green. A different color would suggest that the engine overheats when in use. Where you are unsure of the color, use a tester.
Secondly, examine the air filter and the surface of the engine. The air filter should not have an excessive amount of dirt in it. Also, the engine should not have large deposits of grease and oil on it. Be sure to check whether there has been any engine work that has been done. Finally, where the car has an automatic transmission, check to ensure that its dip has no burnt smell.
Start the engine of the car. Let it stay on idle while you listen to any unseemly sounds from the engine. Next, put it in drive and confirm that the emergency brakes hold. Park it while the engine is still in idle, check the tail pipe to ensure that the exhaust is not leaking.
The final step is to drive the car for about 5 miles while listening to the engine. After 5 miles, stop the engine and start it again. If the engine takes a while before starting again, have it checked by a mechanic.
The list above are the things to look out for in a used truck without a mechanic’s help. Where you are in over your depth, seek help from a qualified person.
