What to Check Before Buying a Used Car in Sacramento

The same checklist works anywhere, but a few items matter more in the Sacramento area. Long summers are hard on batteries, tires, rubber and air conditioning. Freeway commutes on Highway 50, I-5, I-80 and Highway 99 pile on miles. Here is what to look at, in order.

Start with the paperwork

• The seller's name matches the name on the title, and their ID.
• The VIN on the dash and the door jamb matches the title.
• No lien is listed, or the seller can show it has been paid off and released.
• A current smog certificate, if one is required for the car.
• Service records, even if they are just receipts in an envelope.

Walk around the car

• Body panels. Gaps should be even. Paint that does not match from panel to panel suggests repair work. Ask about it.
• Tires. Four matching tires with even wear is a good sign. Uneven wear can mean alignment or suspension problems. Check the date code on the sidewall. Tires age out from heat even with plenty of tread.
• Glass. Chips and cracks in the windshield can spread in summer heat.
• Under the car. Look for fresh drips on the ground where it has been parked.

Look under the hood, engine cold

• Ask that the engine has not been run before you arrive. A cold start reveals hard starting, smoke and noises a warm engine hides.
• Check the oil on the dipstick. Milky or gritty oil is bad news.
• Look at belts and hoses for cracks, and the battery terminals for corrosion. Check the coolant level and color.
• Look for any wet spots or crusty residue around hoses and the radiator.

Inside

• Turn the key to "on" and make sure every warning light comes on, then goes off after starting. A light that never comes on may have been disabled.
• Run the air conditioning on max cold for several minutes. In Sacramento, a weak A/C is a real expense and a real problem in July.
• Test every window, lock, mirror, light and the radio.
• Smell for mildew or smoke. Check carpets for dampness.

Drive it

Use the test drive checklist, and include a freeway stretch. Many problems only show at speed.

Pay for an inspection

A mechanic's check usually finds things you cannot see in a parking lot. Pick the shop yourself instead of using one the seller recommends. If the car passes, you can buy with confidence. If it does not, you either walk away or negotiate with a repair estimate in hand.

Sac Auto List does not inspect or verify the cars listed on the site. Everything above is something you or your mechanic does.