Hey Scotty what is the best way to buy a used car without taking it to a mechanic, I already have a obd2 scanner that can go though the whole vehicle computer data and I also check underneath the car and any rust or leaks and the engine bay for strange noises. I want to know what else to look for on a car when buying, or how to tell if a engine is on its way out soon after?
See our FAQ page for buying a vehicle.
https://www.iseecars.com/articles/what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-used-car
https://www.iseecars.com/articles/how-to-test-drive-a-used-car
If you're going to be the one using the scan tool, be sure you have the knowledge to interpret all of the data and understand what it could be trying to tell you. A good scan tool does a lot more than pull codes. If it can't read live data, it isn't a good enough tool to determine if the car is mechanically sound.
Under FAQ’s Used Car Buying scroll down to “How do I know this car is OK to buy?”
Also check the post here:
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/five-minutes-to-check-a-used-car/#post-49073
Don’t buy anything I would buy.
When you go on dealership lot and salesperson shows a Fiat-Chrysler product, e polite and say “That is very kind of you, sir/ma’am, but I will pass. Can you show me your selection of Toyota vehicles?”
Find a good car, from a reliable brand like Toyota, Honda, Lexus Etc. Make sure the engine mounts are good, no rust, hopefully the AC works, Compression testing, things like that. Scotty has many videos on how to inspect a used car before you buy it.
Just buy a vehicle you like. Unless you want a reliable car then look for something less than 75,000 in my opinion. When you start the vehicle heard for any weird noises. Pop the hood and have the sales person start the car and if the engine moves you have bad motor mounts. Also check the oil many dealers or people in general put axel fluid the hide and noises the engine might make with regular oil. After the test drive dont shut the car off. Pop the hood again and remove the oil cap and look for milky color oil. Could be sign of a blown head gasket or one about to go out. Smell the tail pipe for oil and fuel. After you turn it off smell the engine for burning oil. Also during the test drive fell how the transmission shifts.
At the very least, do a compression/leak down test. I would never buy a used vehicle without them.
