How to check the engine when buying a used car

When going to buy a used car the condition of the engine, transmission and bodywork are very important things. When the car is clean and the engine is good, it does not mean much. The engine may have a hidden problem and it may have been poorly used by previous users.
The process of repairing the engine is very expensive and it is difficult to assess the condition of the mechanics of the engine during a test drive, but testing and checking it requires a specialized mechanic before buying. In this article, we will provide some tips for checking a used car.
Check used car maintenance records
Service records are not always available, but they do provide some evidence that the vehicle has been regularly maintained. If you have access to maintenance records, look for oil changes and mileage records. It helps if you can check that the oil changes are done regularly. Depending on the manufacturer, the recommended oil change interval ranges from 3750 to 10,000 miles. If the vehicle has been run without an oil change for much longer than recommended, wear has occurred within the engine.
If the vehicle has a timing belt (not all cars have it), check if there are any records that have been replaced. Typically the timing belt should be replaced every 60,000 to 105,000 miles, depending on the vehicle.
Take a look under the hood of the car
When checking out a used car at a store, take a quick look under the hood before your test drive. You might need a small flashlight. Make sure the engine is off, the transmission is in the park position, and the parking brake is on. What you should look for are leaks, the smell of burning oil, and signs of poor maintenance or a lack of attention to regular maintenance.
If everything looks clean and shiny it doesn’t mean much. Car dealers clean their used cars under the hood before showing them to potential buyers. Let’s see some examples:

• The battery looks old, which means that maintenance is not done regularly.
• Smell of burnt oil. This indicates a problem.
• There is a leak in the cooling water, this indicates a leak in the radiator.
• The oil level is too low and the oil is dirty. There are two possibilities for this problem: the oil has not been changed for a long time, or the engine consumes a high percentage of oil, in addition, the engine wears out when the oil level is low.