3 Red Flags To Watch For When Buying A Used Vehicle

May 3, 2023October 4, 2023 Michele Boyarsky 0 Comments Car Buying, Car Interior, Car Shopping, cci, restyling, Rust, Used Car, Wheels and Tires

Approach your used car search with confidence and keep an eye out for these red flags when shopping.

When shopping for a used vehicle, most people know the major red flags to look for. Visible dings and dents, mismatched paint (or parts), a seller who can’t provide a single maintenance record…

But there are other, more subtle signs to watch for as well, indicators that the pre-owned ride on your shortlist is little more than a polished lemon. While these red flags might be harder to spot, they’re no less important. In fact, they might be more critical, since they often indicate serious underlying issues that could end up costing you a fortune in repairs down the road.

Keep the following signs in mind — and learn how to approach them while shopping — so you’re sure to drive away with a car you can rely on.

Rust

While not always a deal-breaker, rust definitely deserves your attention when shopping for a used vehicle. This is because signs of corrosion generally point to a bigger problem lurking underneath.

To help determine if this is the case, take note of where you see the rust. Is it located in a critical area, like the frame, suspension or undercarriage? Or is it on something easily upgraded, like the exhaust or muffler? That could influence your decision to purchase – or serve as some ammunition when haggling over price.

If the rust is limited to a small area, that’s a good sign. Try pressing on it with your finger or giving it a few taps with a pocketknife. If the metal stays solid, then you know you’re dealing with surface rust rather than serious rot. Surface rust can be touched up quite easily with minimal effort and at low cost.

In addition to inspecting the vehicle’s underside for rust, you should look closely for any bubbling or flaking paint around the wheel wells and fenders.

Other common places to find rust include:

along the doors, sills and rockers;
around the edges and corners of the hood and trunk;
under the carpet in the vehicle’s cabin;
inside the engine compartment, particularly around the battery tray and the firewall.

Ultimately, some rust on a used vehicle is to be expected – especially if you live in a coastal region or an area that sees harsh winters. However, extensive rust is usually a sign of poor maintenance or neglect, and can seriously compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle.

Worn or Mismatched Tires

Another red flag when shopping for a used vehicle is poor tire condition. Worn-out or improperly inflated tires are a major safety risk, not to mention an expensive upgrade you’ll need to make on top of a vehicle’s purchase price. Plus, if the previous owner didn’t (or couldn’t) make room in their budget for fresh tires, it begs the question: what else did they defer maintenance on?

When it comes to tire tread, anything less than 3/32-inches should be replaced—especially if you plan to drive on snow. (In fact, anything less than 5/32-inches will show a substantial decline in performance.)

Want an easy way to check tire tread depth? Insert a penny into the tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see all of Abe’s head—that vehicle is past due for new tires.

Another thing to take note of when shopping are mismatched tires, as it can indicate that they were replaced at different times.

Sometimes, this is inevitable. My own vehicle wears two different types of tires because my go-to brand was on backorder and I needed to replace a punctured flat ASAP. As a result, I actually purchased two new tires – because they should always be replaced in pairs.

So, bear that information in mind: Seeing two tires of the same brand in the front and two tires of another brand in the rear isn’t always cause for alarm. But multiple mismatched tires or what looks like a permanent donut? Now, that’s a bright red flag.

Stains or Discoloration

Look, people do a lot of weird things inside their vehicles, so questionable stains are to be expected when buying used. Additionally, we’ve all experienced that ‘Oh $#*&’ moment of watching a large soft drink tumble to the floor, splashing every conceivable cabin surface in sugary, dark syrup.

That said, if you see unusually discolored stains – ones that have a water ring around them or a fuzzy texture, it could indicate flood damage.

Flooded vehicles can be dangerous if they haven’t been properly repaired and restored. Floodwaters (in addition to being absolutely disgusting) can cause extensive damage to a vehicle’s electrical and mechanical systems, which can compromise its safety and reliability.

If a stain is from flood damage, it will likely be accompanied by other signs of water damage. Rust or corrosion are usually good indicators, as is a musty or moldy smell inside the cabin. Dampness or condensation inside the car’s headlights or taillights could also suggest water-related issues.

When shopping for a used vehicle, you should always schedule a test drive. During the ride, pay attention to the electrical controls. Do all the dashboard lights function properly? How about the power windows, A/C controls and radio? If these are on the fritz, it could be a sign of damage.

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It’s easy to get overwhelmed when shopping for a used vehicle, especially if the fear of “buying someone else’s problem” is lurking in the back of your mind. Just remember, it’s okay to be particular. This is a big investment! Go ahead and kick those tires (literally), and don’t feel weird about looking in, under and around all those nooks and crannies.