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8 Things to Look Out For When Buying a Used Car

It has been said that a car is the second most expensive investment a person makes in a lifetime. Would that statement apply as well if you’re buying a second-hand car? Yes! Buying a used car though is trickier than buying a new one. So, how do you know that the second-hand car you’re trying to get is a good deal or not? Besides bringing along a mechanic you trust to help you look at the car, here’s a list of things you need to check in a used car that you’re bent on buying:
  1. Test drive the car.  Take it out for a test drive: it is the best way to know if it’s the right one for you. Try driving it at 40 to 50kph and step on the brake firmly, yet smoothly. Any vibration from the brake pedal means there must be a problem on the brake rotors or needs new pads. If the car swerves as you brake, this could also be a sign of worn steering components or faulty brake calipers.
  2. Check the car’s body.  Make sure the car is clean so you can properly inspect the surface and note any rust (which means the car is often exposed to rain), discoloration (which could mean it’s been repainted or exposed to acid rain), or scratches.
  3. Check the engine bay.  A look under the hood can tell you a lot about the car’s body and its engine. A welded or bolted frame means the car’s been in a front-end collision while scratch marks on the bolt heads at the top of the fenders could mean that the front panel has been replaced or realigned.
  4. Check the car’s undercarriage.  Check the car’s bottom for possible rust accumulation. If possible, check underneath by bringing it to a service center with either a car lift or an inspection pit.
  5. Check the tires. Tire wear should be even on all four corners. Uneven wear could mean that the tires haven’t been rotated properly, or worse, caused by bad wheel alignment due to worn steering or suspension components (or both) or even frame damage.
  6. Check the interior. Smell the interior. Usually, vehicles that have been flooded give out a certain stench. If the smell is okay, check for lumps in the seats as it's another sign that the interior has been through a flood, so stay away from those. Further, check the seats for any rips, tears, or stains that may require repairing or cleaning.  
  7. Check all electrical components. Bugs in a car’s electrical system is one of the most difficult to troubleshoot. Unless you bring it to a casa or dealership, fixing it usually comes down to trial-and-error so, best to check that everything’s working as they should be.
  8. Check all fluid levels. Make sure that all the fluid levels required by the car have been topped up, especially the essential ones like the engine oil, power steering, transmission, and brake fluids.
For engine oil, used car owners need to use Shell Helix High Mileage. This highly-developed lubricant utilizes Flexi-Molecule technology specially-formulated to protect high-mileage vehicles, especially those are over 100,000 kilometers. As your engine ages, it becomes prone to oil leakage, engine wear, higher oil consumption—which yields to poor engine performance. Developed to do wonders for both diesel and gasoline-powered engines, Shell Helix High Mileage also helps clean out 34 percent sludge on first oil change on average and provide up to 40 percent better wear protection to help prolong the life of your car. Shell Lubricants General Manager Dennis Javier said: “The development of Shell Helix High Mileage is meant to help more customers with well-loved vehicles to prolong the life of their vehicle, so that they can enjoy more memories with their trusted partner through the years.” Get your Shell Helix High Mileage oil change now at your nearest Shell retail station or look for it in your favorite Car shop or Auto supply store. For more information on the Shell Helix High Mileage products, you can check out the links to the Shell Helix High Mileage 10W-40 or Shell Helix High Mileage 15W-50 pages.

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