How to Inspect an Old Car Before Buying?

February 20, 2025 | 3 min read | Old Cars

How to Inspect an Old Car Before Buying?

Buying an old car can be a significantly tough task for most people. One should always be sure about the condition of the old vehicle before buying it. Hence, getting the inspection of your preferred vehicle is highly advised since it will ultimately be the deal maker or breaker. You can do the basic inspection yourself, and take a mechanic along if you find something suspicious.

Engine condition

The basic is known to everyone, the condition of the engine can reveal a lot of things. For instance, the engine oil should not be of coffee color or creamy texture, because this means that the coolant got mixed with it.

You must also take the car for a test drive and check the engine oil for any sludge, indicating faulty car parts. Also, if you notice any voices coming out of the engine while driving, you should avoid buying it. An engine is a closed entity, and those noises should not be coming, but if this happens, do not take that old car at any cost.

Fluid or oil leakage

Check the engine cover, seals, hoses, and under the car for any type of fluid or oil leakages. You should be cautious about any kind of leakage, be it less. An oil leak can cause seals or rubber hoses to wear prematurely and are also a fire hazard. If the issue is left unattended, it can often lead to performance degradation.

There can be plenty of reasons for a leakage and you don’t need to be a professional for knowing that it is bad for your car. However, if the liquid is clear and has no smell, it might just be dripping AC condensation.

Smoke from the exhaust

You must be sure about the smoke coming out of the exhaust of your car. There is, however, a significant difference between smoke and steam that comes out of the exhaust pipe of the car.

Steam usually occurs in winter, which is not a threat. Now, when there is an engine coolant leak, white smoke comes out, it can also come when the engine burns. When the engine oil burns in the combustion chamber, blue smoke comes out. Lastly, black smoke can also come out indicating that the car is burning too much fuel.

Rust in the car parts

Rust will slowly eat up your car, so never buy a car that has rust on it. To check for rust, look at the body panel, radiator support, pillars, and boot. Over time, this will make your car weak, which can be very dangerous. It is like the cancer of a car, hence you should always check your car for any amount of rust.

Apart from these general checks, you should also do some minor checks like tires, paint, and suspension. Not being an expert of the cars, these small things can also become confusing, and you might need some expert. Shriram Automall India Limited (SAMIL) is a trusted partner in the pre-owned vehicle marketplace.

You can buy an old car of your preference. Apart from this, SAMIL offers a range of complementary services like InstaInspect for inspection, ValueXpert for valuation, Veriisure for verification, and ClaimXpert for loss assessment. All of these services will surely take care of all the formalities for you while making sure that you get the best car.

Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned car enthusiast, SAMIL ensures that your purchase is safe, reliable, and hassle-free. So, take the right steps, make an informed decision, and drive away with confidence!