Red Flags and Green Flags for Buying a Used Car
In a fun and festive nod to the Valentine’s Spirit, this month of Malloy Law Blog Posts will be employing the popular “Red Flag, Green Flag” framework. Our goal is to help our readers navigate common personal injury-adjacent quandaries through providing things that are “red Flags,” serious warnings of a bad situation, and “Green Flags,” reassuring signs that you’re on the right track. Today’s post will focus on Red Flags and Green Flags for buying a used car.
The traditional model for buying and selling cars experienced a breakdown of sorts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Persistient supply chain issues drove the prices of new cars ever higher as dealerships struggled to maintain inventory. The persistent demand for cars drove prices up in the used car market, and pushed consumers into new channels. Car enthusiasts, hobbyist mechanics, and bargain-hunting consumers have long cut-out the middle man through buying and selling cars through informal channels, peer to peer. But the rise of platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay have taken this practice to new heights. This makes it all the more likely that your next car will be pre-owned. Which, in turn, makes it all the more vital that you know what warning signs to look for when purchasing a car.
Red Flag: Rust
A used car, especially one sold from a private owner, is going to naturally bear some signs of wear and tear. Much of this will be merely superficial damage or easily abated through routine service. Body rust, however, does not fall under this umbrella. Rust spreads quickly when exposed to salt or water, and may reach into areas not visible by a cursory look-over.
In particular, a check for rust on the undercarriage of a used vehicle may be life-saving. Rust to these components may threaten the structural integrity of the vehicle, not to mention its mechanical function.
Green Flag: Transparency
It’s said that those with nothing to hide have nothing to fear. Any evasiveness, inconsistency in communicating or representing information, or reticence to answer direct questions with simple yes or no answers should be taken as an extreme red flag by anyone seeking to do business. This is a good tip not only for buying a car but conducting business in general.
A professional used car salesman or private seller should be able to represent the state of their product in concrete, honest terms. These include:
- Accident Reports
- Service History
- Title and Deed
- Any Open Recalls
- Aftermarket parts, their brands, ages, and service lifespans.
Red Flag: Poor Condition
Inspect the vehicle in question. Is there a notable smell of mold or mildew? This may indicate flood damage or an active water leak in the interior. This can rust internal components and erode the operation of electrical systems, including air bags.
Are the body panels properly aligned and fit? Are there noticeable color differences between panels? This may indicate a prior crash, which may adversely affect the structural integrity of the vehicle.
Do the shocks and struts respond properly when pushed down on? If they’re in good working order they’ll rebound back towards their natural ride height. Excessive bouncing may indicate a worn suspension, which can mean a costly replacement down the road.
How about the brakes? Does the pedal feel “spongy?” Is there excessive travel when pressing it down? This may be a simple matter of bleeding the brake fluid, but it may necessitate new brake pads or rotors.
Green Flag: Casual, Polite Atmosphere
Peer pressure is not just for children and adolescents. If you feel that you’re being placed into a high-pressure environment to induce you to buy before you’re fully comfortable, look elsewhere. Less reputable used car dealers are infamous for such sales tactics. A good sales environment will have the mutual respect and boundaries present in any other healthy relationship. Obviously a professional salesman will want to sell, but a good salesman knows to give their client the space to make their own decision on whether to buy.
How Malloy Law Can Help
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident and injured by another party’s negligence, Malloy Law can help. Our experienced and talented team of personal injury professionals will evaluate your case free of charge and craft a strategy to win maximum compensation on your behalf. Don’t wait, contact Malloy Law today for a free consultation.