Nobody wants a lemon. Whether you are in the market for a dependable used car, or a classic to restore, it is important to thoroughly inspect a car before making a purchase.

Condition of Mechanical Components

Before looking for a used car, assess your needs. Your intentions for the car will determine what quality of condition you should look for, and what you are willing to sacrifice. For instance, if you hate working on cars or don’t know how, you’ll want a car that is mechanically sound. On the other hand, if you are handy with a wrench or looking for a project, a car needing repairs may save you some money. Before you start shopping for a car, decide how much work you are willing to put into it – and stick to your decision. You’ll save yourself from having regrets later on.

Engine

The condition of a car’s engine is one of the first and most important things to look at.

Preventative maintenance is important. Timely oil changes and the quality of oil used are important contributors to a healthy engine, so be sure to ask the seller to see records of oil changes, if available. Also, many newer cars have belt-driven engines, instead of chain-driven engines. Know what the car has, and ask for records of timing belt replacement. Most timing belts must be replaced every 60,000 – 80,000 miles to prevent worn belts from stretching or breaking. Having the timing belt replaced can be expensive, but the repairs on an engine with a broken belt are guaranteed to be many times more expensive, so it is important to know when the belt was last replaced.

Unless you are very adventurous, buying a car that needs a lot of engine work is probably not a feasible option. There are a number of things to look for in order to determine the condition of a car’s engine. An engine that is covered with lots of black, sticky-looking dirt may have a serious oil leak. Black or bluish smoke coming from the tailpipe indicates that the engine is burning oil, most likely from worn piston rings, a problem which allows oil to slip by the piston and into the combustion chamber. White smoke coming from the tailpipe means that the engine is burning coolant, and is generally an indication of a blown head gasket. It is also a good idea to pay attention to how the engine sounds: a rhythmic ticking coming from the top side of the engine may indicate that the valve clearances need to be readjusted, while a knocking sound coming from deeper inside the engine can be a sign of serious internal damage.

(A note on rotary engines: Rotary engines operate on the same basic principle as the four-stroke engines in most passenger cars; however, because they are set up differently, they have different problems and different symptoms. Rotary engines commonly have problems with oil passages and seals, so it is important to look for signs of oil burning before purchasing a car with a rotary engine. Also, be aware that rotary engines are not high mileage engines; it is not uncommon to find these cars with the engines replaced or rebuilt after about 100,000 miles.)