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If You See This, DO NOT Buy That Car! (Seriously)

Budget Mechanic

115,583 views

Buying a used car can save you thousands… or leave you stuck with a nightmare. In this video, we walk through a mechanic’s used car checklist step-by-step so you know exactly what to inspect before handing over your money. Learn how to spot hidden accident damage, transmission problems, oil leaks, shady sellers, title issues, and expensive repairs before they become your problem. Whether you’re buying from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or a private seller, these tips could save you from getting scammed.

FREE Car Buyer's Checklist: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B7cc...

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00:00 Don’t Buy a Used Car Before Watching This
00:43 Research the Car Before You Go
02:21 Seller Red Flags to Watch For
04:24 Exterior Walkaround Inspection
08:52 Checking Tires and Brakes
11:01 Spotting Signs of Abuse or Modifications
12:08 Under the Hood Inspection
16:42 Looking for Leaks and Suspension Damage
19:01 Battery and Maintenance History
20:13 Interior Inspection Checklist
22:38 Using a Code Reader Before Startup
24:01 Cold Start Test
26:42 Live Data, Fuel Trims, and Accessories
28:58 The Test Drive
34:36 Rechecking the Engine After Driving
35:42 The Theft and Title Check
40:32 Salvage Titles and Registration Problems
43:03 Final Used Car Buying Tips

20 Comments

@BudgetMechanicHawaii Creator 4 months ago Pinned

Here is the Checklist we use in the video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B7cc3x0ShtYi-Sj_q9ZpPnrvioX_l-wi/view?usp=sharing

@ThomasOfGilead 4 months ago

"Only needs an O2 sensor"--> cats are completely f'd and it's gonna be 2k to fix

@chariskadosh2715 4 months ago (edited)

Sometimes it depends on the price of the car. You can't be buying a car for $2000 and you do a $5000 inspection.
You can't be buying a 20 year old car and you expect it to be pristine.

@francoisgirard2306 4 months ago

I like your channel, it’s like a Scotty Kilmer channel with a younger and a lot calmer host

@MotivMolotove-pb1xu 1 month ago (edited)

Worth noting that it’s not always good to let people come to your house when selling a car. If your car is parked outside, some people will damage your car and use it as a negotiating tactic. Plus I’d rather not have randoms around my place checking out my car without my knowledge. Don’t be so trusting.

@Iceman240Z 2 months ago

I’ve bought a number of used cars and have gone through these steps but this is probably the most comprehensive checklist I’ve seen here on YouTube. Nice job!!

@genepenna8549 4 months ago

Step 9 - ALWAYS have the owner sign the title off in front of a notary. Also check if the title has any liens (money owed) that must be paid off before transfer.

@iPandaBytes 2 months ago

I haven't bought any type of car in over a decade, but I'd say if the seller gets anxious when you do any of this, or if they try to talk you out of doing any check, then that would be a red flag... even if you do the check and it seems to come out fine.

@twc9000 2 months ago

I once looked at a car at a used car dealership. I was 90% sure I was going to buy the car based on the pictures and info I had seen. But, when I got there I noticed it had three different brands of tires on it. For only 30K miles, that seemed odd. There was very little wear on the brake pedal and gas pedal as would be expected, but the steering wheel had a lot of wear on it. It is very easy to replace the rubber covers on the brake and gas pedals. It seemed pretty obvious that the odometer had been rolled back. The interior looked new except the rear seat belts had water stains. I think it had been in a flood and they replaced the seats but didn't replace the rear seat belts.

@curmudgeonsunite 4 months ago

Used car dealers are often asking that you make an appointment...so they can warm up the engine.

@mattwernecke2342 1 month ago

Saw an ad yesterday: Runs great but the engine is blown.

@maryhickman192 2 weeks ago

I retired from the family auto repair business. My son is a Master Tech. Check if the Check Engine light comes and goes when you turn the car on. The is computer checking MIL light function. (All the dash lights for that matter.) Check if the computer monitors are set. If they are not, a code may have been cleared. Never believe someone who says "It's just a sensor" for a check engine light. If there's a code, you need to know what it is.

@sddpptor 2 months ago

As soon as you said Nissan, nope 😂😂😂

@realcassiusjay 2 months ago

Red flag checklists hit different when you're buying for fleet versus a personal vehicle. One bad buy for personal use is an inconvenience. One bad fleet acquisition is a revenue hole that compounds every week the car is in the shop instead of earning. We buy used vehicles for the rideshare/delivery side and the inspection discipline going in saves way more than the most expensive repair coming out. Curious what the single biggest red flag is that most buyers consistently miss.

@aciddiver1978 4 months ago

The single most important thing to do when checking a car, is to kick the tires immediately.

@shannamac3974 1 month ago

Wooohooo the algorithm listened. I'm moving to Hawaii and will be buying a used vehicle for use on the island while I'm there. Great to find your channel

@SpookGlowie69 2 weeks ago (edited)

These used car salesman buy a shitbox from the auction now and they immediately put it on the lot for sale. Mine didn't even have a cabin air filter in it. 7 problems so far 3 weeks in all types of check engine lights on lit up like a Christmas tree. And it's a 2011 Honda CRV. 2 oil leaks so far

@geoben9801 4 months ago

Title and ID check after introducing yourselves and a couple of minutes of checking the vin# and license plates, ask to see the documents and ask for ID at that time. 👍🏼