Buying a used car can be a great investment – or it can turn into a money pit. It’s smart to always purchase a car you know you can trust has been well taken care of, whether it’s brand new or a few years old. The hitch with used cars is getting the full story about how well it was maintained by the previous owner, any accidents it was in, or even wear and tear from natural elements. When buying a used car, it’s always a good idea to get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted technician – and be sure they check these five things that can be tricky for you to check yourself.

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The Undercarriage and Exhaust System

While you can easily inspect much of the exterior of a used car yourself, it can be tricky to get a good look at the underside of the car. For your technician during a pre-purchase inspection, however, it’s a simple task and they’ll know what to look for. Parts on the underside of a car are susceptible to extra damage each time you hit a bump in the road, can’t swerve to miss a piece of debris, or even drive in inclement weather.

Road Salt Can Cause Rust

One likely problem your technician may find is rust on metal parts. If you live in an area where salt is used on roads throughout the winter to keep them clear of snow and ice, it can be harmful to the undercarriage and exhaust system parts by encouraging rust growth. Over time, this will corrode metal parts and can lead to more serious repairs if not taken care of.

The Engine and Transmission

Two of the most complex systems in any car are the engine and transmission. That means they’re tricky for you to check yourself for wear and tear and they can also be some of the costliest car repairs you might run into. When buying a used car, you can never be sure how closely the previous owner followed a maintenance schedule, but a pre-purchase inspection should give you an idea.

Lack of Regular Maintenance Can Cause Hidden Problems

Keeping up with a regular maintenance schedule is important for every system in a car, but especially so with the engine and transmission. A technician should be able to get an idea of how well taken care of a used car is by looking at the engine and transmission during a pre-purchase inspection.

Belts Under the Hood of the Car

Every car uses a number of belts to keep systems working and synchronized. While you may not know where to look or what to look for, your technician should check all belts in a used car during a pre-purchase inspection, including the timing belt and alternator. 

Timing Belt Repairs Can Be Extra Costly

One of the most expensive car repairs you may run into with older cars is a timing belt replacement. In particular, if it isn’t caught early enough, timing belt failure can cause a lot of damage to other parts under the hood of your car. If you’re looking at buying a used car that’s more than a couple years old, this could be a problem you’ll have to deal with if you don’t get an inspection.