Inspecting a Used Car—What You Need to Know

If you live in Westbrook, Scarborough, Portland, Falmouth or a surrounding area and are shopping around for a used truck in the New England area, you should consider the durable, reliable used Toyota Tacoma Double Cab, a truck lover’s dream vehicle that’s won awards year after year for its power and dependability. If you’re not in the market for a big pick-up truck, there are a number of cars in the area at great prices that fit most budgets.

If you’re thinking about buying a used car, you may be hesitant, especially if you’ve always bought new cars in the past. With some great tips in mind and a good head on your shoulders, you can drive away in a very affordable, high-quality used car today. Here are some things to check for when inspecting a used car for possible purchase.

Ask about the rust on the car as sometimes this huge enemy to a car’s looks can hide. Use a flashlight all parts of the car, including the undercarriage, the floor pans, the frame rails and the wheel wells.

You should also ask about the tires and their condition. When buying a used car in Westbrook, Scarborough, Portland, or Falmouth, make sure you know what you’re getting in regards to the condition of all four tires. Check the overall wear of the tires by doing a tread test and checking for balding of the tires. Look for tread-wear indicators, which are ridges that run across the tires, perpendicular to the sidewall; each tire will have six of these indicators evenly spaced around it. Each indicator is marked by an arrowhead found on the sidewall, typically at the base of the tread. Be sure to ask about the tires’ condition before driving off in any used car. If you’re not sure about the tread-wear indicators, you can always try the Penny Test.

The Penny Test is super easy; just hold a penny, head side toward you, and insert the top of President Lincoln’s head into the tire tread until the coin’s edge rests comfortably in the groove. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head from the side of the tire, the tread is too worn. If the top of Lincoln’s head disappears into the groove, your tire has got some miles left.

Check out the used Toyota Tacoma Double Cab available in and around Westbrook, Scarborough, Portland and Falmouth today. Or, test drive a number of other used cars, trucks, vans and SUV’s instead; there are a lot of high-quality, affordable used vehicles that fit most budgets on sale today.