Buying Used Red Flags
1. Get a Carfax for accident damage report.
2. Even if Carfax is clean look closely at the paint, especially the rear doors. Even at 4300 miles there should be a uniform number or defects on both sides. If not, probably paint work. Also check the body lines very carefully to look for ripples, a tell tale of "off insurance" repairs. Study the rear quarters carefully. Open the doors and look carefully at the sills and surrounds. Body shops get very lazy there. Look under the car for the bottoms near the sills, another spot ignored by body shops.
3. Make sure you know where the stock weld areas are for the engine bay. Look for "new" welds, especially near the front. if you can take off the plastic cover over the intercooler area. They might not let you do this.
4. Go to the dealer and make sure you know what a stock engine bay looks like. Study the heat shielding, it usually takes a beating during exhaust mods, especially the downpipes etc. Study the boost lines. Look for "T"'s and stuff for reversed gauge work.
5. Check the intake for scratches and make sure it has all the connectors. One car I looked at it wasn't even connected. Hilarious.
6. Look for drill holes in the interior on the steering column and under the radio.
7. Look at the fuse box and make sure the fuses are secure (taps for electrical mods deform and loosen connections).
8. Get under the car. Make sure you know what the stock exhaust looks like from the downpipe to past the cat at least.
9. Look for fender rolling.
10. Look at the suspension for scratches (reversed spring work or coil overs).
DON'T TRUST THE DEALER:
- pop off the engine cover and make damn sure you have the right number or supports for the fuel line.
- pop open the ECU cover and make sure you at least have the right green or blue relays in for the fuel pump. No blacks.
- have them check the VIN for recalls
ABOVE ALL:
Take this list (and add to it) with you. When you see the car in person half this stuff will fly right out of your head if you don't.
CAVEAT:
I did a blind buy and did none of the above, but got lucky. I've got a door that was sloppily repaired but thankfully it is just the skin. I got lucky. A low mile car like that could mean LOTS of things. Be careful!
2. Even if Carfax is clean look closely at the paint, especially the rear doors. Even at 4300 miles there should be a uniform number or defects on both sides. If not, probably paint work. Also check the body lines very carefully to look for ripples, a tell tale of "off insurance" repairs. Study the rear quarters carefully. Open the doors and look carefully at the sills and surrounds. Body shops get very lazy there. Look under the car for the bottoms near the sills, another spot ignored by body shops.
3. Make sure you know where the stock weld areas are for the engine bay. Look for "new" welds, especially near the front. if you can take off the plastic cover over the intercooler area. They might not let you do this.
4. Go to the dealer and make sure you know what a stock engine bay looks like. Study the heat shielding, it usually takes a beating during exhaust mods, especially the downpipes etc. Study the boost lines. Look for "T"'s and stuff for reversed gauge work.
5. Check the intake for scratches and make sure it has all the connectors. One car I looked at it wasn't even connected. Hilarious.
6. Look for drill holes in the interior on the steering column and under the radio.
7. Look at the fuse box and make sure the fuses are secure (taps for electrical mods deform and loosen connections).
8. Get under the car. Make sure you know what the stock exhaust looks like from the downpipe to past the cat at least.
9. Look for fender rolling.
10. Look at the suspension for scratches (reversed spring work or coil overs).
DON'T TRUST THE DEALER:
- pop off the engine cover and make damn sure you have the right number or supports for the fuel line.
- pop open the ECU cover and make sure you at least have the right green or blue relays in for the fuel pump. No blacks.
- have them check the VIN for recalls
ABOVE ALL:
Take this list (and add to it) with you. When you see the car in person half this stuff will fly right out of your head if you don't.
CAVEAT:
I did a blind buy and did none of the above, but got lucky. I've got a door that was sloppily repaired but thankfully it is just the skin. I got lucky. A low mile car like that could mean LOTS of things. Be careful!
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