Academy Car Salesbelieves that every customer has the right to know what to look for in purchasing a used car. There are some very basic things that you need to check for when buying a used car. In Ireland they have a very good checking system called the VIN number, which will tell the whole history of the car. Some places may have a used car history report and this is a very valuable way to see what kind of damage the car has had in the past.

It doesn't hurt to take the time to check on the make and model that you are considering to buy. Go online and see what the reviews on that particular model have to say. This will give you a bit of an idea how well liked this vehicle is. Other owners will tell you what problems they had or that they were pleased as punch. This will give you an indication as to what to look for when you take that car out for a test drive. A reputable Company such as Academy Car Sales welcomes this kind of scrutiny because they know they can pass the test.

When you are going to view different cars on the lots take a paper and pen with you so you can be an organized shopper. Write down all the information about the car, the mileage, price, colour, (important to many people). Take note of what you liked about the car and what you didn't. If this should arise at Academy Car Sales be sure to discuss your concerns with the team here. Their policy is to address every customer concern.

Some other things to take with you may be a torch. This can be used to inspect under the hood, (only if you know what you're looking for) to look for any leaking of liquids or corrosion of any kind.

Have some paper towels handy so you can check the transmission fluid and oil, and finally take a CD disk to check whether the radio and player work.

Take a walk around the car and look for any dents, cracks in the windows or anything missing, such as hubcaps for example. Then look along the sides of the car, is it straight? This will indicate whether it has had any repairs done from being in an accident. Does the paint job match, or is there a slight variation in the colour?  Academy Car Sales has nothing to hide in their used cars and will answer any question regarding the history of the car that you put to them.

It could be that it has been painted recently, if there is a difference. If there is any indication of spots of rust, then those spots will only get worse with time, so don't look at that vehicle any longer. Does the car have a trailer hitch? When a vehicle has been used to pull a trailer, for instance, it is hard on the transmission and the engine, so could be worn more than normal.

Next take a look at the tires. Are they a make that you recognize? Have they any cuts, bubbles or cracks. Are all the tires of the same make, and is there wear on one side of the tire more than the other, as this could warn you that there is a problem with the suspension or alignment. Stay away from this car, as you will only have more problems down the road. A musty smell in the boot could indicate a leak somewhere, so be wary.  These are never going to be an issue you for you when purchasing your used vehicle from Academy Car Sales.