Buying a Used Car - Part 2: Mechanical Inspection

Are you looking for a used vehicle?
Part 2 takes you through a checklist of items to inspect under the car and under the hood of a used vehicle before purchasing. Finding mechanical problems ahead of time can save you from costly repairs down the road, as well as give you an idea of how well the vehicle was maintained and cared for by its previous owner.
This video takes a look at checking all the engine fluids, including oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering and coolant levels, checking for leaks around the engine seals and gaskets, looking for signs of rust and wear on the exhaust components, as well as an inspection of the front end suspension and steering components (such as ball joints, tie rods, control arms, bushings, drive-shafts, as well as engine mounts and strut mounts). Further information is given on maintenance items such as brakes, timing and accessory belts, changing the air filter and cleaning the throttle body.
Buying a used vehicle can be one of the largest purchases you make in your life. Significant savings can be had by purchasing a used car over a new car, however don't neglect to inspect the vehicle thoroughly in order to avoid significant headaches down the road.
This six part used vehicle buying guide covers:
1) Exterior inspection
2) Mechanical Inspection
3) Interior Inspection
4) Road Test
5) The Paperwork & Procedures
6) After You Buy
This video was shot with a Canon Rebel EOS T5i DSLR and a Canon PowerShot SX130IS camera.
Audio Credits:
Ice Flow, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@muysantos2859]

9 years ago and still valuable. TIMELESS video for everyone who wants to buy a car!

[@seankim2743]

a MUST video before shopping for a used car. Thank you so much!

[@speedkar99]

You are welcome

[@seancurtin5131]

I'd put forward that if a car is being sold 2nd hand, then the chances are your going to have to spend at least 1 to 2K on top of the sale price to get it up to the standard this gentleman is talking about. The trick is to know what your buying and understand above all else 'it's a 2nd hand car', your going to have some issues. If you want everything A1, then without doubt you want a brand new car. Don't be scared off by a couple of things not being up to scratch, you can always get them fixed up later. Just remember that as a minimum the vehicles should be fully driveable and if your serious about the car then you HAVE to have a test drive. Also don't expect any owner to allow you to jack there car and pull and push the tyres around let alone pull the tyres off to inspect brake pads etc. In short, get a Mechanics check. That will pull up any safety issues or engine issues that may cost a lot. Myself I fine tooth comb a vehicle I'm interested in but depending on what I've got to spend, I've yet to find a 2nd hand car that would meet either this guys standard or my own. Don't be a dreamer. Even if someone takes extra special care of there vehicle, you can't avoid shock and suspension wear, brake wear, in general wear and tear but you can tell if it's been looked after, that doesn't take long at all. While you don't want a lemon, your dreaming if you think you'll score a 2nd hand vehicle with absolutely nothing wrong, even if you amazingly did, you'll discover that there's things that will need to be fixed up down the track and it's going to happen. Great tips but this isn't the most practical check for the average car shopper. These checks would have taken a lot longer than 16mins. I'd be surprised if you could do them in less than an hour. No owner is going to let you have there car for an hour unless you book it into an authorised mechanic. Also there not going to drop the price of the car by what it would cost to fix every little thing. You can get a bit off, but if you found a classic Delorean for example and tried to haggle say 5K worth of mechanical work off the price, you would be dreaming. Just wanted to put this out there so there are not a bunch of people wasting other peoples time and money. Remember there trying to sell there vehicles and get something back for the vehicle they themselves possibly paid 3 times what there selling the car for. By all means negotiate but don't be mean. Most cars are being sold because the owner no longer wants to spend the money on the vehicle and have decided to get something else, that's why there selling the vehicle. So expect a couple of minor odds and ends or your not going to find any 2nd hand car at all to purchase. One final point. MAINTENANCE. My biggest pet hate with 65% of the population that own vehicles is that they go on and on about this and that and little things at the time of sale, then when they purchase the vehicle, they flog it to death, don't look after it, don't give it the required service intervals and keep it in good shape. They basically let the car go to hell and this is why there's so much junk around. Treat your car so it stays they way you originally wanted it when you first purchased it. Let it go to hell and don't expect people to pay top dollar for your abused vehicle.

[@speedkar99]

+Sean Curtin I agree. The point of a thorough inspection is to find these mechanical faults so you know them before hand. Not to necessarily expect better or to use it as a negotiating tool. Small things like tire wear could mean bigger problems down the road (for example, the car's frame could have been bent from an accident), so its good to note these small things. A well maintained and clean car is golden in my books.

[@dekideki9519]

@@speedkar99 i have one question for you, i have Honda accord v6 2008.how to check transmission fluid level correctly?

[@jayevans6146]

Tbh if a car seller doesn't expect a potential buyer to take _At Least_ an hour total inspecting literally the whole car plus test drive, then walk away. It's not worth the time, and the car probably has issues the owner was hiding *Or* likely didn't even know about themselves.

[@wakewind4129]

Sean Curtin lmao mechanics don’t check everything. Removing the tires and jacking up might be a bit much, but everything else is fair game. You would be a terrible person to buy a car from. People should walk away from whatever you’re selling. It would probably be a lemon.

[@seancurtin5131]

@@wakewind4129 ???? I have no idea where your coming from. I keep my vehicle in top condition and for the record, I actually list everything that's wrong with my vehicle at the time of sale along with provide a full safety report. I've never had an issue selling my vehicles and wouldn't sell a vehicle if it wasn't up to my standard. These principles have never let me down. If you mean I wouldn't be good haggle wise, then yes I would be a terrible person to buy a car from but on that note my pricing has always been pretty spot on. Don't throw around insults sir, it's not polite and you give me the impression your a used car salesman.

[@scottfirman]

I put up red flags if the engine is too clean on a used vehicle. A really clean engine on an 8 year old vehicle will not be show room clean. Also, I use my finger and wipe INSIDE NEXT to the oil cap. Its easy to clean the oil cap or even replace it. If you get a milky finger, run away. Also check the Antifreeze container. Even if they cleaned the tank, you can still see an oil ring around the tank. Check the hose if possible, pull it out of the tank. if milk drops out , run! Things like brakes, struts, tie rod ends and what not are not major issues and shouldnt be a deal breaker. Brown burned tranny fluid is bad...run away. You did a great service to anyone interested in buying a car.

[@speedkar99]

Good tips

[@raagrk4446]

You are a Godsend for a careless guy like me. I have been looking for Used cars for last few days and this video helps. Great job and thank you :)

[@speedkar99]

+Raghu R Glad it helps

[@samuelspencer5047]

thank you for this content, highly valuable for getting to grips with car mechanical inspections, much appreciated.

[@xCaptainBuff]

Hey excellent job! These videos are just what I needed!

[@speedkar99]

xCaptainBuff Thanks

[@sukhrajnagra6782]

Thank you for the video. It was comprehensive and well organized. All the best!!!!!! I definitely feel more confident in purchasing the van I am going to go look at later on this evening..

[@speedkar99]

+Sukhraj Nagra your welcome! All the best on your purchase

[@speedkar99]

Lahib Higel Lahib Sheikh @Lahib The radiator cap was inspected during the visual inspection of the engine bay before it was started and warmed up.

[@jimwatchyyc]

Nice and clean engine doesn’t necessarily mean it’s been looked after, it could just mean it was cleaned so it looks better when selling it. And clean engine oil, easy to do an oil change before selling too. And inexpensive. And full doesn’t mean it doesn’t burn oil, it could have been changed recently or just topped off.

[@RootedHat]

Great series, thanks mate.

[@JerryLewis420]

These videos are very thorough and helpful thanks dude

[@aaron___6014]

Well done. very thorough

[@jeffrose20]

Great video. Much appreciated

[@4816crane]

That was a great video!! Good job out of you man. Thx

[@speedkar99]

+Marc Prinz Thanks for the feedback.

[@focus82grothm.84]

Excellent inspection video. 😊👏👍

[@genesisjvv7025]

Wow. Very helpful thank you.

[@sammyj184]

;)

[@romansolar8153]

great inspection! thanks!

[@speedkar99]

You are welcome

[@mohandeventhiran5314]

Can't thank you enough. This is like buying used car wiki guide in youtube. 🙏

[@sedric31]

So educative and informative

[@seshachary5580]

very educative. Thank you regards

[@dafontenot]

That was very thorough! Thanks!

[@speedkar99]

+dafontenot Thanks

[@willyboyw.5771]

Well Done.

[@joeimbesi99]

Fantastic! Esp looking at radiator AND oil caps and oil not milky as could be head gasket blown

[@rongo2205]

Godó Video,very detail

[@suhailahmed4449]

Awesome man. A sensible guy with god knowledge

[@gaurav7756]

Superb initiative pal

[@halamish1]

Excellent

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

[@paulcwyuen]

Very much appreciated for the informative video.... But I got to ask myself a question, how am I as a layman suppose to check all those things following your instructions when I buy a used car?

[@yjmsniper]

Thorough. Thanks

[@speedkar99]

+Yule Mayevsky your welcome. Glad it helped.

[@MartB-tx5lb]

Detailed as a sunofa, nice work man

[@speedkar99]

Thanks! It sure was alot of effort putting this together

[@karsmullar6983]

Nice explanation 😊

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

[@MrGoogle87]

If the oil is dark and black on a diesel engine, that is totally normal. Once you turn on the engine after replacing oil in a diesel engine, it's always as black as it can get.

[@speedkar99]

True with diesels.

[@1m2r3a]

Stefan Brand Also if you rev up a diesel engine and you get black smoke that could mean that the turbo 'wasn't used enough' and that could lead to turbo failure.

[@qton._7578]

Your mate on reddit sent me here, nice vid.

[@speedkar99]

Thanks....who is that on Reddit?

[@qton._7578]

"Tad" bit late but 3 years ago this guy www.reddit.com/r/everymanshouldknow/comments/2nmk3n/emsk_my_friend_made_a_series_of_videos_to_help/ - cynicalbrownie

[@NutelloNutelloNEIL]

Hi could you please verify at 6:49 time stamp as you were turning the wheel side to side on the video.. Does this car mean that car has play? As I could see you were able to move it side to side

[@mediaguy4037]

you'd be surprised how many people dont check a car out before buying it. then they complain they got screwed. they dont even look underneath it to check for leaks.

[@speedkar99]

Agreed, buyer beware

[@joshmassey9609]

Great video, cheers, we are looking at buying a vehicle abroad for travelling so this is very helpful. Out of interest, I did some summer work in a Garage (UK) and the power steering fluid was green- as was the liquid we filled it with, any idea if that's just a national difference?

[@speedkar99]

Depends on the vehicle. Most cars use ATF for power steering fluid, which should be red.

[@zigzag2162]

Awesome work, would be nice if you had a pdf check list

[@speedkar99]

+Zaghloul Mbamba Good suggestion, thanks

[@DashCamSerbia]

For me, the main thing is that the car was not crashed (so it is safe if I ever crash in it), that it does no have rust or paint isssues (was not painted over), that is not stolen, that engine ad transmission are in good condition (do not require an overhaul), that turbocharger does not need replacing, and that electronically adjustable/dynamic shock absorbers do not need replacing (if it has that kind), and possible that a dual mass flywheel does not need replacing soon. Everything else can be replaced and fixed at acceptable cost.

[@suhailahmed4449]

Plz make a detailed video for chasis inspection and how to find out if a chasis was repaired earlier thta Gona be a good hekp

[@speedkar99]

Did you watch part 1?

[@technopriest8686]

good tips , should we ask for a lower price if we find problems with these issues? how much should price go down?

[@speedkar99]

Yes, usually by the cost of the repair, or at least the parts.

[@livingghost5325]

Best video I've seen. Better than EricTheCarGuy. Thanks dude :D

[@sammyj184]

Way better

[@speedkar99]

+jay s Thanks

[@speedkar99]

+The Real Jezuz Thanks

[@floor_jack1441]

i guess it's very informative video but i have a question i own Toyota Avensis 2008 which has 1.6 L Engine (3ZZ-FE) and on the clock (141000 Km) i open the oil cap while is running and i found small amount of air is coming out with small amount of oil but there's not fumes coming out so i need to know Is there any problem on my engine ?

[@speedkar99]

Nope. Some 4 cylinder engines tend to do that, it's just normal blow by.

[@ethanorr7290]

Seeing this makes me have a question about my truck. I have a Chevy avalanche and when I changed the oil last weekend the oil pan and oil filter had a little bit of oily residue kind of stuff on it. Is this bad or not that big of deal

[@speedkar99]

An oil pan and filter should be oily...

[@scottfirman]

Thats fine...as long as its not leaking. You can tell. Good job at changing the oil. more people should do that themselves.

[@HongNguyen-my5oq]

Do you a video that show how to change the bearing on these Camry? I think mine are wore out on both sides.

[@speedkar99]

Peter Smith Skip to 3:18 in this video where I talk about removing the rear bearings: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3nYf393m8tkkLs

[@ozzmundo1]

This car is like a museum piece, sweet! I would buy this car. But i know what you did to this car, because i watched all of your car videos. Thanks again. I am in the process of finding a Matrix XRS 1.8L to replace my 2000 Avalon with. Do you have any knowledge regarding the Matrix that i should know?

[@speedkar99]

Thanks. Hmm, I would avoid earlier models with the 1ZZ engine that had the oil burning issue. I thought the XRS had the Camry's 2.4L engine? Make sure maintenance is up to date and recalls have been performed.

[@ozzmundo1]

speedkar99 I found a video in depth that explains 1ZZ oil consumption repair, no way i will DIY that fix with my skill set.

[@speedkar99]

Look for a later model Matrix that doesn't have the oil consumption issues. Even the 2.4L in the Camry had some oil consumption problems too.

[@ozzmundo1]

Looks like they fixed the issue after 2003

[@SaulVelezJr]

Which lexus or Toyota did you get the plastic cover for the motor off of

[@speedkar99]

+Saul Velez ES300 non vvti

[@susanpratt4061]

Are these points what mechanics do to a car on a pre sale inspection?

[@speedkar99]

Only a good mechanic

[@trapps75]

Other people say don't take oil cap off when engine running to much pressure when I done it to my Toyota Corolla nothing happened when I done it to Nissan sentra oil started coming out like a volcano what does that mean

[@muysantos2859]

engine was hot, so you open it first of everything. check oil cap for rust. I feel you happened to me when I was a noob.

[@KingOfKYA]

I am surprised he also dosen't recommend a Bluetooth obdII, could be another cheap check to make sure someone didn't reset the computer or disabled the check engine light somehow.

[@speedkar99]

+KingOfKYA The bluetooth dongle would be great. If you're into Toyota's techstream is even better and allows customization and advanced code reading: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXXTnZd3q5Woh6c

[@scottfirman]

Nowdays Most guys bring one. The guy that purchased my Trailblazer had one. I didnt care, it was junk. The tranny failed for the second time and I was done with it. The thing had 288k.

[@KoalaJoanne]

How can you tell if the rear engine mount is worn out?

[@speedkar99]

+KoalaJoanne please see my broken rear engine mount video

[@KoalaJoanne]

thank you

[@isaachamilton179]

Clean car

[@speedkar99]

It sure is

[@Tendertroll1]

Wow 271,000 miles, Toyota’s are awesome

[@speedkar99]

Kilometers but yeah I agree

[@zephyteh2628]

So you're going to bring a jack with you in your car when going to buy a car?

[@speedkar99]

That helps. Or a hoist.

[@scottfirman]

And jack stands. You damn straight I bring a jack. I bri g a jump suit too. Look fella, if they dont want you jacking up the car, walk away. What are you hinding? a cracked strut mount? A major issue that a simple crawl under and look will clearly show. If someone tells me they dont want me to because of a " liability" issue. I whip out a letter of agreement stating I wont hold them liable if something happends to me. Then I sign it and date it in front of them. If they still say no, then forget it. I had a guy refuse to let me take his car to a certified garage for an inspection. I found out through a friend it had been involved in a major wreck and the frame was torn at the firewall. You couldnt see it unless you jacked it up or used a lift.

[@erickjuma7643]

If you inspect a car like this the car dealer will look at you like, what the heck is you mission with my business?

[@speedkar99]

I do it.

[@techgamer1597]

This video assumes I can access all these areas without removing lots of plastic etc

[@beating2]

would never let buyer take spark plugs out.....

[@speedkar99]

+beating2 But a mechanic you take the car get inspected to might...

[@nathanielfarley286]

You can extend that tire life taking them to the tire man,

[@speedkar99]

And what would he do?

[@scottfirman]

Really? As in Replace, not retread.

[@mckringleberry9231]

Thanks for all your hate work man

[@TheMuzikall]

Errrrm...No Seller or Trader is going to allow you to take plugs off to check for anything. .if plugs are faulty...EML will come on...if it's oily..it will show up in blue exhaust smoke...

[@speedkar99]

If you take it to a shop for inspection they might pull a plug

[@pellergin]

The oil tip at the beginning is bull. After 2,000+ miles my conventional oil was black in my 200k mile Integra. Synth was black as well, after 4k miles (I didn't check/change it earlier). If the engine bay is 'clean', it could be they're trying to hide oil leaks. Another legitimate question is how did they clean it? Did they do a high pressure spray on the engine parts, which is a huge no no, or did they use steam? This is an informative video though.

[@NtExtazy]

+pellergin spraying butanol washes off oil leaks and it evaporates fast. usually water cannot wash off oil marks.

[@speedkar99]

+pellergin Some cars will dirty the oil faster, especially diesels. In general on my car the oil is just brown when I'm 5,000km in and am due for an oil change.

[@68camarorsss33]

My car is 6 years old and the paint, interior and engine is cleaner than the day I bought it brand new. Your comment about the clean engine is false. I'm a clean freak and my car is spotless. Every time I change the oil I clean my engine.

[@jimwatchyyc]

That engine bay was definitely spray cleaned, no way it would be this clean otherwise!

[@lexusfan100]

Noooooo to using Fram oil filter.. Always use OEM

[@speedkar99]

I've since stopped using the FRAM filters. Everytime I change oil they leak. I've since changed to OEM filters.

[@Curling_Rack]

yes..OEM oil filters are $4 more than the FRAM

[@scottfirman]

It doesnt have to be OEM. I use Bosch filters. Price tells you everything. The higher priced ones are the better ones pretty much always.

[@pamstiles6539]

You can do all of these steps n the vehicle can still end up being a pos. It's a roll of dice a gamble pretty much

[@speedkar99]

Buying a used car is always a risk. But the savings that comes with it is also the bonus

[@scottfirman]

Still better than not doing anything. Its better to bring an OBD 2 tester and check for codes too.

[@jayevans6146]

Yeah that's why need a Scan tool like an obd2 reader. I noticed that was like the only think Sk99 didn't use here in this video guide.

[@Gravy_9]

all engines burn oil though....

[@speedkar99]

They do. But it should not burn so much oil as to consistently be needing to get topped off between oil changes, or you may have a problem.

[@scottfirman]

Yes, they do. Anyone that says no would be wrong. All engines MUST allow a slight amount of oil to lubricate the cylinder walls. If not, the engine would sieze. Generally, all my vehicles used a quart of oil evey 3k. Even my new cars.

[@duffdingelmeyer7101]

Make sure the used car you're buying has never had any work done on it whatsoever. Gotcha.

[@speedkar99]

We'll make sure the work was done right 😁

[@whisperrakata2900]

Hahahah if we door this in Zim we wont buy any hahahah