Buying Cheap Sedan Cars: Reliability Maintenance Checklist for Used Vehicles

When it is time to buy a cheap sedan, you need to be on the look out for any lemons. Vehicles, even cheap ones, are not cheap. If you purchase the wrong vehicle you could be in for a much higher price tag then you expected. Paying attention and following all of the tips in this article will help you to avoid purchasing a lemon. Remember the lemon laws really do not cover used cars, nor do they cover private owner sales. Sales of that nature are considered as is or let the buyer beware. With that in mind it is still possible to get a great cheap sedan, but you must know what to look for and how to go about the search.

1. Test Drive: Always insist upon a test drive before you purchase any vehicle. Take the vehicle around town as well as on the freeway. Pay attention to what the car tells you not the seller. How does the steering feel at 45 mph? At 65mph? Does it stop when it should or do the brakes “feel” funny? Is the steering straight? Is the steering loose?

2. Fluids: Look under the car for any leaks. For that matter, look at the driveway for any signs of leaks anywhere. Just because the car is now parked in a “clean” spot does not mean it always is. Open the hood and look at the fluids. Is the power steering fluid a red color or is it brown and murky? Brown murky power steering fluid could be an indication of a stop leak product. How about the oil? Is the oil full and a nice golden color that indicates fresh oil or is it black or even a chocolate milk color? Black oil needs changing. Chocolate or milky colors mean there is a blown head gasket.

3. Body:  Always take a close look at the contours and edges of the body for any signs of rust or damages that could indicate an accident. Just because a vehicle may have been in an accident does not mean it should be passed by, but if the signs are there and are denied by the seller, walk away. There is no reason to hide a minor fender bender.

4. Vehicle Reports:  When possible, write down the VIN number for the vehicle and check online for any vehicle reports pertaining to that vehicle before you buy it. Vehicle reports can easily be found online and the VIN number belongs to that car only, so you will know that the report will be for the car you looked at.

5. Value:  You also need to look up the value of the vehicle before you purchase it. Kelley Blue Book and NADA are the two main vehicle value reports used for this purpose. They are both available online and free to use. Just enter the year, make and model and any other particulars about the car. The database will tell you what the vehicle is actually worth.