Checklist for Buying Used Cars and Trucks From Bo Beuckman

Purchasing a vehicle can be a daunting process, especially if you're flying blind. Add on the bonus considerations that come with buying a used car or truck, and the task is downright nerve-wracking. That's why the Bo Beuckman Quality Ford team put together a helpful checklist for buying used cars-come prepared, navigate with confidence, pay close attention to specific aspects, and earn yourself a great deal. 

Checklist Prior to Arriving at the Used Car Dealership

  • Create your own checklist of questions to ask at the used car dealership - Below, we provide a list of things to check and points to clarify. However, it's expected that you'll have additional questions for the salesperson. Therefore, take the time to think and write down any questions so they don't slip your mind in the heat of the transaction. You may even want to consult with a few friends about what they wished they asked when they bought their previous vehicles. 

  • Have a set budget in mind prior to entering the dealership - First and foremost, figure out how much you're willing to spend. Keep in mind, you'll have to spend more than the price of the used vehicle, itself, as you'll always be responsible for insurance and taxes. To better prepare, read What to Know About the Missouri Car Sales Tax.

  •  Narrow down your list of candidates - Next on the checklist is to determine which used cars pique your interest. Search dealerships' websites and cross-reference their inventory with various vehicles' online reviews. You can even watch videos in which people record themselves test-driving specific models. Having a few options in mind not only makes your trip to the dealership more fruitful but also lets you know the fair market price for the vehicle. 

  • Research the dealership - Surprise, surprise, not all used car dealerships offer the same caliber of service. Therefore, next on the checklist is to read reviews of the dealership on third-party sites. For example, thousands of Google My Business users have awarded Bo Beuckman Quality Ford an average of 4.8 stars out of 5. 

  • Prep your car for trading in - As we discuss in How to Sell a Car in Missouri and Transfer Your Title, getting money or value from your old car is far from straightforward. Luckily, many dealerships will handle much of the paperwork on your behalf. Therefore, many shoppers choose to trade in their previous vehicle for value (or cash) they put toward their new purchase. 

  • Clean your vehicle - Prior to leaving for the dealership, give your car a thorough clean and empty out all compartments. Have any maintenance records ready, as well as the title and registration. And don't forget your license! 

  • Gather everything you need to bring to the car dealership - This specific checklist includes your method of payment, license, proof of insurance, and pay stubs or bank statements proving financial stability (for loans). 

  • Consider making an appointment - For most dealerships, appointments are not required. However, setting up a meeting time with the dealership helps them have a dedicated team member ready, the preferred vehicles prepped for test drives, and the pricing information finalized. This makes your time at the dealership both quicker and more productive. 

  • Consider getting pre-approved for a loan - Like the above, getting pre-approved for financing isn't required for getting a used car (and is entirely unnecessary if you plan on using cash). However, this is a valuable step because: 
1. You will have a better understanding of the APR you'll receive and "how much car" you can afford
2. You can shop around for the best rate rather than being limited to only the loans accessible through the dealership 
3. You will have to spend less time at the dealership, as you'll be completing a crucial step in advance

Checklist for Assessing the Used Car Prior to Driving

  • Mileage - Check the odometer to ensure the mileage matches the seller's claim; generally speaking, the lower the mileage the better. 
  • Exterior Condition - Inspect the car's body for dents, scratches, or mismatched paint. Rust is arguably the most concerning sign of structural problems. And don't forget about the integrity of the windows and windshields. Open and close doors to ensure that the handles work and verify that the used car has working locks.
  • Tire Condition - Check tire tread depth and overall condition; uneven wear can indicate problems. Ideally, they should all be the same size and brand. What's more, signs of shotty tire condition can be quite telling about the care (or lack thereof) the previous owner provided, as well as the dealership's commitment (or lack thereof) to providing cars in like-new condition.
  • Leaks - Keep an eye out for liquid pooling under the car, which could indicate a leak or related issues.
  • Interior Quality - Inspect the upholstery for rips. Quality also extends to how the interior smells, whether it be mold, cigarette smoke, anti-freeze, or excess exhaust. Peak under the floor mats to make sure they're not concealing any noteworthy damage. 
  • Sound system and responsiveness of screens and electrical ports - Ask for a demonstration of how to use the infotainment system, all the while paying close attention to the system's responsiveness and the quality of the display. 
 

Checklist for Assessing the Used Car While Test Driving

The next step of the checklist requires you to experience the used car or truck in various situations, from idling to accelerating to hard braking. But remember, safety first! When putting the candidate through its paces, be mindful of the following: 

  • Brakes - Ensure the brakes are responsive and check the brake pads and rotors for wear. 

  • Engine - Listen for unusual noises, particularly rattling or grinding. If the "check engine" light is on, don't consider the vehicle any further. 

  • Transmission - Test drive the car to evaluate the transmission's shifting and responsiveness. 

  • Steering - Ensure the steering is smooth and without excessive play or vibration. You want a well-balanced level of responsiveness. To determine whether "drifting" could be a problem, slowly drive in a straight line without firmly guiding the wheel. Another tip? Try doing a U-turn, being mindful of any unusual sounds the used car may produce. 

  • HVAC System - Test the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning to ensure they work properly.

  • Lights - Confirm that all lights, including headlights, taillights, and turn signals, function correctly.

  • Windshield wipers work - In addition to gauging the smoothness of the movement, squirt windshield wiping fluid to confirm this mechanism is operational

  • General Smoothness While Driving - Pay close attention to how the suspension absorbs the shock of jolts and bumps, helping to provide an overall smooth riding experience. 

  • Overall Comfort - Whether a used car is the right fit is dependent upon more than mere mechanics. When sliding behind the wheel, imagine yourself in the same position for hours at a time. Adjust the seat for maximum comfort (and to confirm that it's indeed possible). And don't forget about those rear passengers! Sit in the back seat to gauge the comfort back there as well. 

  • Cargo Space & Accessibility - Open the trunk to gauge how much cargo the vehicle can hold. Try folding down the seats to determine how far back they go. 

Checklist of Questions to Ask the Used Car Sales Team

  • What is the VIN number, and can you share a full history of the vehicle, including the past number of owners and past repairs? 
  • Do you offer any extended warranty or protection plans?
  • Have all necessary recalls and safety-related issues been addressed?
  • What is the dealership's return or exchange policy if I encounter problems after buying the car?
  • What is the estimated remaining life of the car's engine and transmission?
  • Are there special considerations I need to know about maintaining this vehicle, such as requiring a particular type of fuel? 
  • Does the Infotainment system connect with common Apps and features, such as iTunes or Apple CarPlay? 

Checklist of Major Red Flags to Look For When Buying a Used Car?

  • A missing vehicle history or mismatched VIN numbers between the vehicle and accompanying paperwork
  • The inclusion of a salvage title, implying that it was heavily damaged in the past
  • Warning lights illuminating on the dashboard-if the salesperson offers an explanation that doesn't ring true, double-check with the vehicle's manual (easily accessible online)
  • Clunky or slow-to-respond shifting, acceleration, and transmission
  • Incomplete paperwork from the seller, such as the title or registration

Ready to Shop for Used Vehicles? Come to Bo Beuckman

As mentioned above, the Greater St. Louis community has given us rave review after rave review. Why? Our dealership has perfected customer service, knows the ins and outs of our used car and trucks, and holds the vehicles (and ourselves) to the highest of standards.   

Come visit us at our Ellisville location, only a short drive from areas like Maryland Heights, Chesterfield, Fenton, and St. Charles.