How to Spot a Reliable Used Car

There are a lot of reliable used cars for sale. There are some unreliable ones, too! How do you tell the difference?

Narrow Your Search

You have a sense of the type of car you’d like – whether it’s a coupe or an SUV. You can narrow down makes and models by using used car reliability data. Consumer Reports runs an annual subscriber survey that’s extremely useful. Look up which cars last the longest and which ones hold their value best.

Window Sticker

There’s used car reliability data here, too! The window sticker on a used car for sale will have information that details a warranty and if the dealer will pay any initial repairs.

Exterior

When you look at the car, inspect it thoroughly. Look at the exterior on a dry day – you’ll be able to make out better detail, including scratches and dents. Something minor might help you talk down the price.

Major red flags included misaligned panels and rust. Misaligned panels point to a repair that wasn’t done well, while rust is often worse under the hood or on the undercarriage than it is on the surface. Do not buy a car with a cracked window or windshield, unless the seller is willing to replace it. Ensure all the lights are working as well.

Lean on the car’s corners. If it bounces up once, the suspension’s doing well. If it jiggles a few times, the suspension’s not in good shape. Don’t forget to check the tires and wear on the tread.

Interior

Make sure the pedals and instruments work. They shouldn’t stick, click, or show wrong readings. Turn on the AC full blast and then the heater full blast. Many people forget this and only discover they’ve bought a car without working AC or heat days or weeks later.

Look for stains under the roof to make sure there’s no leak. Check any moving parts: does the moonroof work, do the seat adjustments work, does the trunk open easily, does the gas cover pop open as it should? Take a good, long whiff of the car and make sure there’s no odor.

Don’t Forget

This is just a starting point to finding reliable used cars for sale. Always feel free to take the car to your mechanic for a going-over. Any reputable dealer will be happy to let you do this; they know you’ll find everything in good working order.