Tip #3 Inspect the vehicle before speaking with a salesperson.

It is common knowledge that before buying a vehicle you should test drive it, but many people rely on the test drive alone and that is not wise. Looking over the vehicle is just as important. There are some certain things that can prove to be quite costly if they end up needing work or replaced. Some minor problems are to be expected with a used vehicle, but it doesn't hurt to make a mental note and try to get the price lowered based upon repairs you will have to do if you make the purchase. The following list are things you should check before the test drive:

Windows - There should be no chips or cracks and all should work properly.

Body- There should not be any major damage or excessive rust.

Tires- This is basically a negotiation point as most used vehicles will need new tires soon after you buy them, so just inspect the tread left on all four and the spare.

Trunk- It should open and close properly. Also make sure the dealer has the key.

Interior- There should be no major rips or stains. Knobs and such should not be missing. Especially look at all the seatbelts to make sure they work properly.

Mirrors- All should be there and work properly.

Doors- They should open and close easily. Also check that the locks work properly.

Radio- This is another negotiating point. It should work properly and all speakers should work.

Now you should take a look at the mechanics of the vehicle. If the vehicle has a record of its maintenance history that is a big plus and well worth taking a look at. Check for repeat repairs as this could point to a problem. Most used vehicles, however, will not have these records, so you have to rely on what you can figure out. Take a look under the hood for the following:

New parts: If there seems to be a lot of new parts this can mean one of two things - either the previous owner decided to dump the thing before it ate up any more money or the previous owner couldn't find the real problem. Rely on what you experience during the test drive and

Oil: If there is oil all over the place under the hood then there could be a major problem brewing. You can expect some oil around the engine, but if there is oil on the belts and hoses -- beware. An oil leak can lead to major issues down the road.

Worn belts or hoses: If you see tears in belts or holes in hoses know that repairs will be needed soon to keep the vehicle in working order.

These are just three of the major things to check out. The test drive will let you know about the condition of the transmission, breaks, and other possible issues. Be cautious if you experience anything on the list below during your test drive:

Loud muffler or fume smells inside: This can point to an exhaust problem.

Spongy, stiff or noisy breaks: This could be a minor problem, like the breaks are new or need the air bled out of the lines. It could also point to major break problems. Definitely be worried if you hear any grinding sounds.

Steering wheel shaking or noises when turning: This could point to numerous problems from wheel bearings to steering column issues.

Shifting hard or at the wrong time: This could signal a transmission problem.

Any other noise: Your test drive should be fairly quiet. You should only hear quiet humming from the fan or heater, not any loud noises.

Ask the salesperson directly about anything that bothered you during your inspection of the vehicle. If for some reason the dealer refuses to let you inspect the vehicle and test drive it, take that as a sign you do not want to do business with this dealership. The two main points of inspecting the vehicle are to make sure there are no major problems and to gather some information that you can use when negotiating the price.