Tips when purchasing a used car.

Here are a few items to look out for when buying a used car, truck or even a motorbike. This can also provide you bargaining powers especially if you find potential problems or costs in maintenance. You may also avoid buying a potential lemon and get the most out of of your hard earned money.

Always test drive it. Not only do you get a feel of the handling and the suspension but you get to feel the engine performance. Not enough grip or a wallow ride or noises underneath may be traced to the tires and the suspension system. Parts may need to be replaced. Look out for signs such as noises, smoke, loss of power or anything out of the ordinary. Smoke or loss of power are signs of possible engine issues or a problem starting to brew.

Apart from the looks, check the truck's body for damages. As much as possible get the one which has not been into any major accidents. Knock on the body. You should hear the metal sound. Otherwise it could be filler which means a repair has been made. Look at the paint if it is still the original paint. A change in paint may mean a repair was made.

Look at underneath the car for damages and rust especially at the wheel wells. This is a potential cost in the future. Seldom do buyers look at this but it is very important. Those who live in humid or wet areas should always check this side of the car. Damage repairs can also be spotted underneath, such as parts that are welded. This could be a potential safety issue.

Look at the mileage of the car. On an average a car travels 15000 miles a year. Check if the car year adds up. If it is too high then you have to worry about possible repair costs in the future. If it is too low, either the dashboard has been replaced or the car has been stuck for awhile.

Check the paper works. Not only will it validate the ownership but documentation of the repairs will give clues on how well the car has been taken care off.