No matter how few miles a used car has, its care and maintenance was once under the responsibility of someone. You need to invest time and effort in the process of research to avoid ending up with a car you regret buying. Car surveys have highlighted the most common car faults reported. Some of them include;
1. Suspension components springs and dampers
These are the components needed to cushion the ride. They usually wear out with age, especially if they have been through a lot. This problem is most common in cars nine years or more – one in ten cars surveyed had this problem. If you want to diagnose these issues, you have to take the car through a test drive at different speeds and on a variety of surfaces. Look out for any thumping or knocking noises, baggy handling, or jolts in the cabin. If you buy a car with such a problem, then be sure you are going to spend a lot on repairs in the near future.
2. Flat batteries
As a car owner, you always know that you are going to deal with battery problems because they age. it is easy to catch the issue because it leaves you stranded because the car cannot start. An easy way of knowing whether the battery is in good condition is by starting the car. If the engine struggles to start, it could be a sign that the battery has a problem. Other signs are the starter motor not working as it should, or the exterior or interior light dim significantly when starting the car. If the battery is too flat to turn on the engine, you might have to jump-start it. Make sure you do it the right way because you don’t want to cause any further damage. Depending on the age and condition of the battery, you can decide to replace it altogether.
3. Exhaust and emissions
If there is visible smoke from the exhaust pipe of a car running fine can be a sign of a more serious problem. black and blue smoke are of particular concern. If blue smoke is coming out, it could be a sign that the car is burning engine oil, and this could mean the seals and gaskets are failing. Black smoke could be caused by a number of issues, but all boils down to the car not burning fuel at a correct rate. You can diagnose exhaust/emission issues by listening to the engine when starting – does it produce unusual or excessive noise? This can be a sign of a ‘blowing’ exhaust which is caused by small holes in the pipe as a result of corrosion.
4. Used car air conditioning
It is important to maintain the air conditioning system in your car so it remains effective and clean over time. Loss of cooling can be fixed by a ‘re-gas’ which refreshes the coolants the system requires. If the air conditioning of the car is not blowing even remotely cold air, it could be that the air conditioning system has a problem – and this is going to cost a lot to replace. If the air-con has not been used regularly, it can result in the development of mold and other bacteria in the ventilation system. If the car has the smell of old socks or cheese when you turn on the air conditioning, it is the most likely cause.
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