Buying a used car in Wichita requires more than just checking the price tag. Learn how to properly inspect a vehicle and make an informed decision before you commit.
Buying a used car can save you a lot of money compared with buying new.
But two used cars with the same:
year, make, model, mileage, and price
can still be very different purchases.
One may have been well maintained and need almost nothing.
The other may have been neglected and be one repair away from becoming your new financial hobby.
So don't judge a used car by price and mileage alone.
Here's what I'd look at before buying one.
A vehicle history report can give you useful information about the car's past.
Depending on what's reported, you may see things like:
But a clean history report does not guarantee a perfect vehicle.
Not everything gets reported.
Use the history report as one piece of the puzzle—not the entire inspection.
Walk around the vehicle before you get emotionally attached to it.
Look for:
A few scratches on a used vehicle aren't necessarily a problem.
You're trying to distinguish normal wear from signs of significant damage or neglect.
Tires can tell you quite a bit.
Look at:
Uneven wear could potentially point to an alignment, suspension, or tire-maintenance issue.
And if the vehicle needs four tires immediately, that's an expense you should know about before buying.
Look beyond whether somebody vacuumed it.
Test:
Look for excessive wear, stains, odors, water damage, or anything else that seems unusual for the vehicle's age and mileage.
A vehicle that's already warmed up can behave differently from one that's been sitting.
If possible, pay attention when it first starts.
Listen for:
Watch the dashboard too.
Warning lights should illuminate during startup and then turn off normally.
If a warning light stays on, ask why.
You don't need to be a mechanic to notice obvious problems.
Look for:
Maintenance records can also be helpful, especially on higher-mileage vehicles.
Please don't buy a used vehicle based entirely on how it looks in the parking lot.
Drive it.
Pay attention to:
Does it accelerate smoothly?
Does it shift normally?
Does it track straight?
Any vibration, pulling, grinding, or unusual noise?
Any clunks or excessive bouncing?
If possible, get it up to normal road speed.
Some issues don't show up during a two-minute drive around the block.
If you're buying an SUV because you have three kids, put everybody in it.
If you regularly carry equipment, check the cargo area.
If you have a long Wichita commute, spend some time at highway speed.
If your garage is tight, think about the dimensions.
A mechanically good vehicle can still be the wrong vehicle for your life.
Mileage matters.
But it isn't everything.
I'd rather consider a properly maintained vehicle with:
80,000 miles
than automatically choose a neglected one with:
55,000 miles
just because the odometer is lower.
Age, maintenance, condition, usage, and vehicle history all matter too.
Different vehicles have different maintenance schedules.
Depending on the age and mileage, you may want to know whether it will soon need things like:
A vehicle can be mechanically sound and still have $2,000 worth of normal maintenance approaching.
That should be part of your budget.
Don't research only:
“Is a Honda Accord reliable?”
Research the specific:
year + model + engine + transmission
you're considering.
Vehicles change from generation to generation.
One model year may have different equipment or known issues than another.
Check whether the vehicle has any open safety recalls and what the repair process is.
A recall doesn't automatically make a vehicle bad.
Manufacturers issue recalls on all kinds of vehicles.
You simply want to know what's outstanding.
If you're buying from a dealership, ask whether the vehicle was inspected or reconditioned.
You can ask about things like:
Don't assume every dealership follows the same used-car process.
If you're buying a used vehicle—especially an older one or from a private seller—an independent pre-purchase inspection can be money well spent.
A qualified mechanic may spot things you didn't notice during the test drive.
No inspection can guarantee a vehicle will never have a problem.
But additional information before you buy is usually better than discovering the problem afterward.
Compare the vehicle with similar examples.
Try to compare:
Don't compare a base-model vehicle with:
90,000 miles
to a fully loaded version with:
30,000 miles
and conclude one is overpriced because they're the same model.
Compare similar vehicles.
If you're buying from a dealership, understand the complete transaction.
Look at:
A cheap advertised price doesn't automatically mean a cheap transaction.
Before buying, get an insurance quote if you're unsure what the vehicle will cost to insure.
Two similarly priced cars can have very different insurance costs.
The payment is only one part of your monthly transportation expense.
Vehicle history reports are useful.
But they don't tell you everything.
A vehicle can have:
no reported accidents
and still have problems.
Another vehicle can show a minor accident, have been repaired correctly, and be a perfectly good car.
Use the report to ask better questions.
Don't use it as the only reason to buy—or reject—a vehicle.
Before buying, I'd want to understand:
You don't need a flawless used car.
You need to understand what you're buying.
What should you look for when buying a used car?
Don't focus on just:
Price.
Mileage.
or:
Vehicle history.
Look at the whole vehicle.
A good used-car purchase is usually a combination of:
reasonable price + good condition + appropriate history + proper maintenance + the right vehicle for your needs.
And if something doesn't make sense?
Ask.
A five-minute question before you buy is a lot easier than discovering a $3,000 problem afterward.
If you found a used vehicle online and aren't sure whether it's worth pursuing, send it to me.
It doesn't have to be one of my vehicles.
Send me the listing and tell me what you're unsure about.
I'll help you look at the price, mileage, equipment, and anything else that stands out.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not mechanical, legal, financial, or purchasing advice. Used-vehicle condition varies, and no history report, inspection, or test drive can guarantee future reliability. Consider having a qualified professional inspect a used vehicle before purchase.
No, a history report is just one piece of the puzzle. It won't show every issue, so it should supplement, not replace, a thorough physical inspection.
Yes, hiring a professional mechanic to inspect a used car is a smart investment that can identify hidden mechanical issues before you finalize the purchase.
Test the car exactly how you plan to use it, including highway driving and checking all interior functions, to ensure it meets your specific daily needs.
Not necessarily. A well-maintained vehicle with higher mileage is often a better purchase than a neglected car with fewer miles on the odometer.
Andrew Woods
Car salesperson in Wichita, Kansas. I built this resource to help local buyers make confident decisions.