I am wondering does the majority of the general used vehicle buying public care how a used car is maintained or just the bottom line price. I see the postings I bought this vehicle and the engine, transmission ,rear end and power steering and brake cylinder is is sludged up and what oil will clean it up. The coolant has never been changed and how can I flush the brown slime out?
Used car maintenance.
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Nope the majority will buy it if the price is right keep their fingers crossed and say 2 hail marys then when things go wrong they blame everyone else but themselves.
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gathermewool
Site Donor 2025
Too general a question - the answer is: it depends.
There's a spectrum of buyers out there. Some, I'm sure, purchase only based on features and price. Others will likely only buy if there's a mountain of maintenance paperwork. In-between, there are the rest of us, who either can figure things out for ourselves or trust someone else to help us get through used-vehicle inspections.
It also depends on the market.
There's a spectrum of buyers out there. Some, I'm sure, purchase only based on features and price. Others will likely only buy if there's a mountain of maintenance paperwork. In-between, there are the rest of us, who either can figure things out for ourselves or trust someone else to help us get through used-vehicle inspections.
It also depends on the market.
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People are looking for a great deal. If your car is in the top 95th percentile of maintenance you'll still only get the 50th percentile on price. It'll just sell to the first person to look at it.
Personalities are drawn to particular cars, and the maintenance thereof. Lots of Daewoo Aveos out there with blown timing belts show that cheap & thrifty people do tend to neglect maintenance. An expensive, "unreliable" car owned by an enthusiast who kept up on it to prevent its reputation from causing problems may actually be a great buy.
Personalities are drawn to particular cars, and the maintenance thereof. Lots of Daewoo Aveos out there with blown timing belts show that cheap & thrifty people do tend to neglect maintenance. An expensive, "unreliable" car owned by an enthusiast who kept up on it to prevent its reputation from causing problems may actually be a great buy.
Most people buy used cars with their eyes and based on how much they have to shell out of their pocket. Nothing more nothing less.
Of all the used cars I have helped friends/family buy I have always looked underneath, looked at the brakes, body, tested all the accessories for proper operation, stress tested the battery, checked the fluid colours, looked under the oil cap with my boroscope, into the cylinders (where possible), taken it for a test drive and ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS hook up a professional level scan tool and scan for codes not just the generic P-Codes but for OE specific codes both Stored and Pending. Also look for at the very least if the Catalyst monitors are not ready. This is a dead giveaway that they have most likely just reset all the codes to turn off the light before you looked at it or that there is emission related components not functioning properly.
This is above and beyond checking it for past accidents registered against the title and looking for signs when you see underneath it where cuts/welds may have been done. I also try to see if the engine / transmission look like they were replaced. Eg: Shiny metal around bolts / eletrical ground that appear they have been moved or a dirty engine attached to a shiny clean rebuilt transmission type things. Sometimes you can match up the VIN#s or partial VIN#'s stamped on the engine to the actual VIN on the vehicle itself.
And as always ask for receipts, service records, maintenance logs or any other records they might have, as these are a great thing to add to the evidence if this is a good purchase or not.
If you can't do the inspection yourself, get a mechanic to look at it. It's worth paying $100 to have it looked over and having to walk away then paying thousands because some major problem was hiding.
There are a ton of "I'll sell it rather than do proper maintenance" folks out there.
Of all the used cars I have helped friends/family buy I have always looked underneath, looked at the brakes, body, tested all the accessories for proper operation, stress tested the battery, checked the fluid colours, looked under the oil cap with my boroscope, into the cylinders (where possible), taken it for a test drive and ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS hook up a professional level scan tool and scan for codes not just the generic P-Codes but for OE specific codes both Stored and Pending. Also look for at the very least if the Catalyst monitors are not ready. This is a dead giveaway that they have most likely just reset all the codes to turn off the light before you looked at it or that there is emission related components not functioning properly.
This is above and beyond checking it for past accidents registered against the title and looking for signs when you see underneath it where cuts/welds may have been done. I also try to see if the engine / transmission look like they were replaced. Eg: Shiny metal around bolts / eletrical ground that appear they have been moved or a dirty engine attached to a shiny clean rebuilt transmission type things. Sometimes you can match up the VIN#s or partial VIN#'s stamped on the engine to the actual VIN on the vehicle itself.
And as always ask for receipts, service records, maintenance logs or any other records they might have, as these are a great thing to add to the evidence if this is a good purchase or not.
If you can't do the inspection yourself, get a mechanic to look at it. It's worth paying $100 to have it looked over and having to walk away then paying thousands because some major problem was hiding.
There are a ton of "I'll sell it rather than do proper maintenance" folks out there.
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The problem being that there is usually little to indicate the difference between proper maintenance and outright neglect.
Few used cars offered for sale will come with much paperwork and few mechanics will be able to spot much more than obvious signs of impending failure.
If a vehicle looks clean overall and shows no obvious signs of neglect, then it's likely a good bet.
I've never been screwed on a used car, but I'd like to think that I know what to look for on inspection and the test drive.
You should also always ask that the car be put up on a rack so you can look around at it from the bottom.
Even small used car lots usually have these or they can take the car to their tire connection which will have one.
Few used cars offered for sale will come with much paperwork and few mechanics will be able to spot much more than obvious signs of impending failure.
If a vehicle looks clean overall and shows no obvious signs of neglect, then it's likely a good bet.
I've never been screwed on a used car, but I'd like to think that I know what to look for on inspection and the test drive.
You should also always ask that the car be put up on a rack so you can look around at it from the bottom.
Even small used car lots usually have these or they can take the car to their tire connection which will have one.
Originally Posted by gathermewool
Too general a question - the answer is: it depends.
There's a spectrum of buyers out there. Some, I'm sure, purchase only based on features and price. Others will likely only buy if there's a mountain of maintenance paperwork. In-between, there are the rest of us, who either can figure things out for ourselves or trust someone else to help us get through used-vehicle inspections.
It also depends on the market.
I agree.
I listen/read for a certain degree of anal retentiveness to maintenance and repairs that I also share. I know most don't care for this info, but I do.
Helps me sleep better at night, more than knowing I got a "good deal".
Too general a question - the answer is: it depends.
There's a spectrum of buyers out there. Some, I'm sure, purchase only based on features and price. Others will likely only buy if there's a mountain of maintenance paperwork. In-between, there are the rest of us, who either can figure things out for ourselves or trust someone else to help us get through used-vehicle inspections.
It also depends on the market.
I agree.
I listen/read for a certain degree of anal retentiveness to maintenance and repairs that I also share. I know most don't care for this info, but I do.
Helps me sleep better at night, more than knowing I got a "good deal".
Most people don't care because on many passenger cars, fluid maintenance is no longer a requirement. So, having the wallet flushes up to date is a fairly low priority.
Having a vehicle in good mechanical condition (no obviously driveability issues or major leaks), good brakes, good tires and an acceptable cosmetic condition are far more important.
Having a vehicle in good mechanical condition (no obviously driveability issues or major leaks), good brakes, good tires and an acceptable cosmetic condition are far more important.
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I check all fluids (color,smell),crawl underneath it to look at it's undercarriage,scrutinize pedal wear,steering wheel wear,seat wear,etc. Yes I go over them with a fine tooth comb. EVERYTHING has to be bone stock. Anything iffy,and I walk.
I have been pretty good about checking general condition of cars except the last one I bought. It is my F150. The kid who had it beat it up bad. Abused it really. Sold it to me for a song. My wife is convinced we should have checked it out more. Maybe but I looked at it as a project vehicle after I had retired. I drained ALL fluids. I discovered I had a bad head gasket and that ended up with me just having a rebuilt engine being bought and putting in the truck. I don't regret it at all. I still in the end had a good engine and still under budget compared to if I had bought a newer truck. I did DIY repairs on the front end and was pretty proud of accomplishing that job.
I know most people don't want to take on what I did but I think each person has to weigh what they are willing to do. Some just want a vehicle that will be ready to go and head out on a road trip. Some want a project. So it all depends. I am of the opinion that whatever the seller tells you don't believe them. Maybe they will produce documentation but I think that is pretty rare. Usually it is just their word and that sometimes isn't worth the breath they took to tell you what may be true or not.
I know most people don't want to take on what I did but I think each person has to weigh what they are willing to do. Some just want a vehicle that will be ready to go and head out on a road trip. Some want a project. So it all depends. I am of the opinion that whatever the seller tells you don't believe them. Maybe they will produce documentation but I think that is pretty rare. Usually it is just their word and that sometimes isn't worth the breath they took to tell you what may be true or not.
I was looking at a Honda Accord about 2-3 years old, 20k miles that was a trade-in at a local Audi dealer. I asked for the previous owners maintenance records , if any, and they said "we cannot give those out, its against the law". I said fine, get a printout from the Honda dealer (and carfax does not count) and show me. They could not deliver one. A quick call to a local Honda dealer and they were able to give me a copy with the owners name redacted, via email. They were asking premium price as well, and I got really tired of them trying to wear me down, so I walked. My take on the service records was BS. This was 3 years ago. Edit: the chain of dealers also had a Honda dealer about 20 miles away.
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Originally Posted by StevieC
Most people buy used cars with their eyes and based on how much they have to shell out of their pocket. Nothing more nothing less.
Reminds me of my first car at 16. A fire red 65 Mustang with Chrome wheels. That was pretty much it. I looked at it and wanted to buy it. Overpaid for a car that I later found out was mechanically worn out. I had no idea what to check before buying a car and no one to guide me.
Besides checking a car out I found to not trust the person selling a car. Dealership used cars were even worse than my first car purchase.
Most people buy used cars with their eyes and based on how much they have to shell out of their pocket. Nothing more nothing less.
Reminds me of my first car at 16. A fire red 65 Mustang with Chrome wheels. That was pretty much it. I looked at it and wanted to buy it. Overpaid for a car that I later found out was mechanically worn out. I had no idea what to check before buying a car and no one to guide me.
Besides checking a car out I found to not trust the person selling a car. Dealership used cars were even worse than my first car purchase.
Originally Posted by MONKEYMAN
Originally Posted by StevieC
Most people buy used cars with their eyes and based on how much they have to shell out of their pocket. Nothing more nothing less.
Reminds me of my first car at 16. A fire red 65 Mustang with Chrome wheels. That was pretty much it. I looked at it and wanted to buy it. Overpaid for a car that I later found out was mechanically worn out. I had no idea what to check before buying a car and no one to guide me.
Besides checking a car out I found to not trust the person selling a car. Dealership used cars were even worse than my first car purchase.
A lot of dealers are selling problem cars on private residence through employees or people they know. I have been to a few with a friend thinking it was a private sale etc. only to find someone that doesn't know much about the car but pretends like they do and then you get the Sellers Package (documents of the vehicles history) and you see it's not even theirs and was most likely a trade but worth nothing so they try to sell it privately because no auction will take it.
Originally Posted by StevieC
Most people buy used cars with their eyes and based on how much they have to shell out of their pocket. Nothing more nothing less.
Reminds me of my first car at 16. A fire red 65 Mustang with Chrome wheels. That was pretty much it. I looked at it and wanted to buy it. Overpaid for a car that I later found out was mechanically worn out. I had no idea what to check before buying a car and no one to guide me.
Besides checking a car out I found to not trust the person selling a car. Dealership used cars were even worse than my first car purchase.
A lot of dealers are selling problem cars on private residence through employees or people they know. I have been to a few with a friend thinking it was a private sale etc. only to find someone that doesn't know much about the car but pretends like they do and then you get the Sellers Package (documents of the vehicles history) and you see it's not even theirs and was most likely a trade but worth nothing so they try to sell it privately because no auction will take it.
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I have not bought a new car or truck since about 1974. I figured out long ago that the ROI was on vehicles with over 100,000 miles as that is the dump point for nervous nellies
I know the drive train is a crap shoot. I'm not buying a drive train per se. I'm buying a chassis and an interior/amenities. Engines and transmissions are commodities. Easy enough to either sort out or replace. Seems to have worked for me so far
I know the drive train is a crap shoot. I'm not buying a drive train per se. I'm buying a chassis and an interior/amenities. Engines and transmissions are commodities. Easy enough to either sort out or replace. Seems to have worked for me so far
I'm not a stickler for any one thing but "the story" should add up.
I'm more comfortable with "the story" that comes with $300 beaters. "I got mad at it and parked it because XXX". Makes sense! Buy!
"It dropped dead from a $50 part" (and if you get it running you'll notice it needs struts all around and a cat-back exhaust and all sorts of codes fixed). Jeez... better for parts?
"Just tuned up" (and throwing a misfire code), jeez, burn a valve?
I can spot from a mile away the type of person who can't come up with $600 retail to get their car through the next state inspection. They'll even run a few months over on their sticker until they get their tax refund/ birthday money/ harvest their pot and get another buy-here-pay-here Dodge Avenger. The car will be neglected, but about 15 months of neglect.
Shop inside your comfort zone. A few people in this thread should just be buying new cars.
I'm more comfortable with "the story" that comes with $300 beaters. "I got mad at it and parked it because XXX". Makes sense! Buy!
"It dropped dead from a $50 part" (and if you get it running you'll notice it needs struts all around and a cat-back exhaust and all sorts of codes fixed). Jeez... better for parts?
"Just tuned up" (and throwing a misfire code), jeez, burn a valve?
I can spot from a mile away the type of person who can't come up with $600 retail to get their car through the next state inspection. They'll even run a few months over on their sticker until they get their tax refund/ birthday money/ harvest their pot and get another buy-here-pay-here Dodge Avenger. The car will be neglected, but about 15 months of neglect.
Shop inside your comfort zone. A few people in this thread should just be buying new cars.
Originally Posted by eljefino
Shop inside your comfort zone. A few people in this thread should just be buying new cars.
I agree 100%. It is much easier to provide detailed care to a new car than deal with the lack of care of a used car. I am great at detailed maintenance. I lack skill in buying wisely when used and doing the more complex mechanical repairs that may come with used cars.
Shop inside your comfort zone. A few people in this thread should just be buying new cars.
I agree 100%. It is much easier to provide detailed care to a new car than deal with the lack of care of a used car. I am great at detailed maintenance. I lack skill in buying wisely when used and doing the more complex mechanical repairs that may come with used cars.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
I've never been burned, but I've never bought a used car that was more than 2yrs/old with mileage in the low 30K mile range. Regardless, I change transmission fluid and usually do the first oil change somewhat early. Like said above, if the vehicle is older, all you can do is go by looks and overall condition, feel, sound, etc.
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