As the population rises among metropolitans across the word, more and more people are opting for personal cars for their daily commute as well as for leisure. As a result, the used car market is also booming all around the country. According to a survey, the market grew from 35.7 million in 2010 to 42.7 million in 2017, which also explains the constant increase in the number of salvage car auctions in the country. Buying a used car not only saves money, but also helps reduce our carbon footprint on the planet and contributes towards more sustainable resource consumption. Buying a used or salvaged car, however, requires some research to avoid making the wrong investment. If you are planning to buy a used or salvaged car, we are here to help. Read on as we present the things to look for when buying a used car.

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Under the Hood
The first and foremost step you should take when buying a used car is to check its key components and engine. This generally starts by looking under the hood for any kind of damage to the mechanical parts of the vehicle. You should also check for any kind of liquid leaking out of the car; this generally includes checking the coolant vent, engine oil, and fuel pipes. The next step is to take the vehicle out for a test drive. While at it, look for any kind of unusual noise coming from the vehicle. You should also check the brakes and acceleration of the vehicle during the test run.

Exteriors and Interiors
After inspecting the mechanics of the car, the next step is to take a conscious look at the interiors as well as exteriors of the vehicle. Check for any kind of damage to the body, which may include scratches and dents, paint and hardware damage. Switch on all the lamps including the headlights, tail lights and parking indicators to make sure all electronics of the vehicle are working perfectly. Once inside the car, look at the condition of the upholstery after removing the seat covers and steering wheel cover. You should also inspect under the foot mats to make sure there are no damages to the body. The floor of the vehicle tends to get rust over a period of time which can be dangerous as well as may fetch lower value when you will sell the car in the future.

Documents
Next and final step is to ask the owner of the car to show you all the documents related to the car. This typically includes the registration certificate (RC), insurance, pollution check documents, and service booklet. By looking at the service receipt you can understand the history of the vehicle. If you are going to be the third owner of the vehicle, make sure to check the sale letter from the previous transaction made for the car.

Wrap Up
If you have made up your mind to buy a used or salvaged car, the next step is to start your research and look for vehicles within your budget. The easiest way to do that is visit salvage cars auction websites, such as AutoBidMaster.com. Besides listing an exhaustive array of options, we also provide all the information you may need to make informed buying decisions. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about any of the vehicles listed with us, simply call +1 (503) 298-4300 or fill out our contact form, or register now to get started!

AutoBidMaster Staff Writer
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