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Automotive Guide Used Car Inspection; Tire and Interior Inspection

By: Jerry Rowan
Automotive Guide

To inspect tires look closely at each tire. Are they the same make and type? Is the wear pattern the same on all tires?

Do they appear to have been rotated if not very new? The front tires tend to wear on the outside edge more. Rotating them will even out the wear between the front and rear tires.

When you inspect tires are they a name brand like Goodrich, Michelin, Bridgestone or Goodyear or are they a name you’ve never heard of before, a no-name tire? (Like Tirerama)

Look at the wear of the tread on one of the tires. New passenger car tires have original tread depth of about 10/32 of an inch. When only 2/32 of an inch tread depth is left, the tire is used up, unsafe to drive on and must be replaced.

If you don’t have a tire gauge use a penny. Put the rim of the penny in a groove with Lincoln’s head toward the tire. If you can see Lincoln’s entire head, the tire is down to 2/32 of an inch. Also if there are any cuts, bubbles, cracks or divots in the tire wall the tire needs to be replaced.

Interior Another good indicator of how well the vehicle was cared for is the condition of the vehicle interior. Compare the wear of the driver’s seat and the brake pedal with the mileage. If the seat or pedal are worn in excess of the mileage, the mileage may have been rolled back. This can be checked with a car history report.

Check every switch in the car. Check the operation of all the power windows and door locks. Try to lock and unlock all of the doors with the key.

Try all seat adjustments especially for power seats. It's hard for a short person to drive when the seat is stuck on giant. If the car has a sunroof, try to open it up wide open. If the car comes with an alarm system, ask for a demonstration of how it works.

Test all functions that are on the key fob remote control.

Check all the seat belts, pay particular attention to the driver's seat.

Hunt for the broken control. The seller will not tell you where it is.

Open the trunk, does it smell musty inside the trunk? If there is a musty odor in the trunk it is possible water is leaking somewhere or this car was flooded.

Check the bottom of the spare tire wheel well for rust. It’s the lowest point in the trunk. Check for a tire iron and a jack. Check if the jack is still functioning. It’s a real bummer to find that you don’t have a jack when you get a flat tire.

If the spare tire is mounted under the car, inspect the holding mechanism to make sure it is good. If the car has locking wheel locks installed make sure the key is available and works for those wheel locks.

Check out the instrument panel while you are in the car. When you turn on the car, before you start the engine, all warning lights should go on. After the engine starts, all warning lights should go off.

This article is by Jerry Rowan. Jerry provides information about car buying, selling. About to buy a new or used car? About to sell a used car? You will find information on how to make the transaction as painless as possible Here.

Automotive Guide Tag : Used Car Inspection Tires Interior Inspection

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