Investing in a used car can be a practical and financially smart choice, as it’s lower in cost and slower to depreciate in value. When you buy a used car, it’s worth checking the vehicle’s history with an HPI check. This helps you determine it’s worth.
Buying second-hand is also an eco-friendly choice as it extends the life of vehicles in good condition. However, as these types of cars tend to come with significant usage and mileage, scheduling regular used car service is essential for reliable on-road performance and safety.
Referring to a used car maintenance checklist can help you stay on top of essential servicing tasks like oil changes, brake inspections, and tire rotations. Servicing your used car regularly can help your vehicle’s performance, optimise its fuel economy and maintain its resale value.
In this article, we’ll give you a helpful used car maintenance checklist you can use for your vehicle’s optimal health and efficiency.
1. Engine and Fluids Check
Consider getting your used car serviced if you want to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. Used cars can have existing issues, such as engine problems, or a worn out clutch. You can avoid these by remaining proactive and getting an engine and fluid check, which is vital to your vehicle’s longevity and optimal health.
As part of knowing how to check a used car properly, it’s important to inspect fluid levels regularly, including your engine’s coolant and transmission fluids. This also includes carrying out regular oil changes. Dirty or burnt-smelling fluids or low fluid levels could cause serious damage to your vehicle.
At In Town Automotive, we carry out used car services to keep your vehicle in optimal condition. Our expert technicians offer professional services and use top-of-the-line vehicle diagnostics to offer a comprehensive vehicle service. To know more, call us on 01604 666 700 today.
2. Brakes and Suspension
In used cars, worn-out brake pads or leaking brake lines are fairly common and can be an indicator of brake problems. This can pose serious safety risks. During a used car service, mechanics would look for uneven wear on brake pads, damage to brake discs, and check or replace brake fluids.
A thorough used car maintenance checklist will also include an inspection of your car’s suspension systems to ensure optimum safety. Mechanics will closely inspect your vehicle for car suspension problems like checking shock absorbers for any leaks, worn suspension bushings or broken springs.
3. Tires and Wheels
Having a good set of tires is more than just a matter of aesthetics or vehicle performance. It’s also critical from a safety and fuel efficiency perspective. For this reason, it’s important to know how to check a used car properly, starting with the tires.
This includes checking your tires for cracks, punctures or other signs of damage. If you want to improve and extend your tire’s life, also consider inspecting wheel alignment and balance. These are key points on any reliable used car maintenance checklist. Don’t forget about keeping a spare tire and ensuring it’s emergency-ready.
4. Battery and Electrical System
Your car’s electrical system runs on a well-charged battery. However, in used cars, these batteries may be nearing the end of their lifecycle. For this reason, it’s important to get your battery and electrical system inspected thoroughly during a used car service.
If you’re wondering how to check a used car for electrical reliability, ensure you test the car’s battery charging capacity. Consider adding critical checks like the starter motor and alternator to your used car maintenance checklist to avoid costly repairs and unexpected breakdowns. Doing this can also help prolong your car’s battery life.
5. Exhaust and Emissions Check
Used cars can often come with exhaust issues, and some of these common problems include loose components, cracks and rust holes. Exhaust leaks are also fairly common in used cars and can cause engine noises. This is especially true if your used car hasn’t had a service in a while.
An inefficient exhaust system also releases harmful pollutants and emissions. This can attract fines for non-compliance with environmental standards or even cause your vehicle to fail its MOT tests. Therefore, it’s recommended that your used car maintenance checklist include a thorough inspection of your exhaust systems and emissions.
6. Steering and Drivetrain
Do you hear clunking noises when you are accelerating or turning your vehicle? Or are you having trouble steering it? These could all indicate trouble with your vehicle’s steering system or drivetrain. A reliable steering system and an efficient drivetrain allow you to be in control of your car while ensuring vehicle safety.
Ideally, your used car service should include an inspection of your axles, CV joints and steering rack. Learning how to check a used car yourself? Consider utilising a used car maintenance checklist, and include the evaluation of ball joints and tie rods for signs of wear and tear or other damage.
7. Interior and safety features
A well-maintained interior of a used car is always a sign of timely care and servicing. While this ensures your vehicle looks good inside and out, your car’s interior also has valuable safety features like seat belts and airbags. Make sure to include these in your used car maintenance checklist.
To ensure a superior driving experience, consider checking your heaters, getting your air con serviced, and reviewing your infotainment systems. Also, consider inspecting your car’s window mechanisms for common car window problems and windshield wipers for operational safety.
8. Check Paperwork and Service History
Used cars come with a well-documented used car service history, making it easier to keep track of your vehicle’s maintenance. While this history serves as solid proof of your car’s condition, it also helps retain the vehicle’s future resale value. This paperwork and car service history can also bring you much peace of mind when considering the reliability of your used car.
As part of understanding how to check a used car, reviewing and inspecting key documents is essential. This includes your vehicle’s MOT certificates, service logbooks and the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can also run a vehicle history check to look for any outstanding recalls or insurance write-offs.
Contact In Town Automotive for Reliable and Professional Used Car Service Today
Used cars are a smart choice for today’s discerning buyers. However, you must pay close attention to your vehicle’s key performance indicators to avoid unexpected breakdowns or costly repairs. Therefore, it’s recommended that you take your vehicle for a used car service at a trusted garage.
Now that you know what to look for in a used car maintenance checklist, consider In Town Automotive for comprehensive full vehicle servicing. With over 15 years of experience and qualified mechanics, we offer our customers high-quality used car services and repairs.
We use top-of-the-line diagnostic tools to conduct full-service scans. Our technicians are well-equipped to tackle various car issues and enhance your vehicle’s health.
We recommend bringing your car into our garage for an all-inclusive health check to keep it running safely and efficiently. We also have years of experience fixing air conditioning, cambelts, exhausts, wheel alignment, and much more.
bookings@intownautomotive.co.uk