The Top 10 Tips for Buying a Used Car

1. Air Bags: The vehicle that you buy should have, at the very least, a driver's side air bag.

2. Anti-Lock Brakes: They will help you to avoid accidents when used properly.

3. Tires: All tires should have at least 1/8 of an inch of tread depth for safety and to prevent hydroplaning on roads. Check for uneven tire wear, a workable spare tire, and a tire jack.

4. Adjustable Seat-belt Anchors: These anchors allow drivers to adjust the position of the seat belt according to their height and size.

5. Suspension: If there is any free-play or strange sounds at the front end when you move the tires in and out, the suspension joints or wheel bearings might be worn out.

6. Body Alignment: When test driving, if the car moves down the road off-center, or slightly sideways, it may have been in an accident.

7. The Body: Check for signs of accident repairs- including the paint and the body panels.

8. The Steering: If there is free-play in the steering wheel when the ignition is turned off, there could be a problem with the steering mechanism.

9. Transmission and Clutch: If the car does not shift smoothly there could be a problem. On vehicles with automatic transmissions, an abrupt shift could indicate excessive wear. On vehicles with a manual shift, slippage or uneven clutch engagement may also indicate wear.

10. Shift-Lock Devices: This feature prevents the driver from shifting out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal first.

You should always start your inspection with a visual assessment. If the vehicle is in obvious disrepair, chances are it has not been well taken care of, and is better left with the seller. If the vehicle passes the visual exam, take it for a test drive. Test the brakes, steering and tires- any deviation from the normal should be considered a warning signal. If it is at all possible, have the car checked by a reputable mechanic before you purchase it.