Buying a car, be it new or used, is a big deal for all of us. So, making a bad car purchase can be heartbreaking.
Sadly, sometimes all you eventually get is a heap of junk in the driveway.
But know this: the sooner you recognize this problem the better. You can then perhaps return the car, get your money back, or solve it in some other way.
This article should help you with that.
Besides these articles, you can also watch our YouTube channel where you can find lots of useful car and driving-related videos.
SURE SIGNS OF A BAD CAR PURCHASE
1. CONSTANT BREAKDOWNS AND REPAIRS
The first symptom of a bad car purchase that will give you sleepless nights is constant breakdowns and repairs.
Engine problems, transmission problems, fuel intake problems, and suspension problems are some of the common mishaps.
To make things even worse, if you’ve bought a bad car, these problems usually start soon after buying it not to mention that they can cost an astronomical sum of money to repair.
2. PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR BODY
The next big problem is the car’s body.
Minor stuff like scratches, smaller dents, and even a slightly different tone of color on body panels is not that much of a problem.
But if you see rust (like rust on the floor panels, parts where the suspension is connected to the body, and else) if you see the cracked filler on the panels or missing parts of the trim you have probably bought a big lemon.
3. THE CAR PULLS TO ONE SIDE
A bad sign is If the car pulls to one side all the time.
Even after you’ve done a wheel alignment and checked the suspension, things do not change.
This tells you one bad thing: that the car’s geometry is bad. One of the most common reasons is that the car has been in an accident in the past.
If the seller didn’t mention this be sure you’ve made a bad car purchase.
4. PROBLEMS WITH THE DOCUMENTATION
Another very bad sign and potential big problem is that you have problems with the car’s documentation. In most countries, there are documents for registering the car, proof of ownership, and else.
If there’s anything fishy about that or you have legal problems you must contact the seller or the the legal authorities in your country.
5. LEAKS, BAD SMELLS AND STRANGE NOISES
The final symptom of a bad car purchase is pretty easy to spot especially if you know your way around cars.
If you see any trace of leaks, sense any bad smell, or hear a strange noise while driving or while the engine is running there is some sort of problem.
This doesn’t mean it has to be anything serious but you have to make an inspection as soon as possible.
CONCLUSION
For the end always remember this golden rule when buying a car, especially a used one.
Always thoroughly inspect the car before you give your hard-earned money away.
Otherwise, it can be too late and you’ll be stuck with a big and costly problem.
So, ALWAYS make a thorough inspection first, however long and complicated it may be.
Written by: Sibin Spasojevic
Former car technician, life-long car and DIY enthusiast, author for Despairrepair.com
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