I'm about to buy a second hand car from gumtree, I will meet with the owner in a few days.
Never done this before, any kind of tips you can give in these situations?
>>14908818
If you're asking /o/ for help on this, you're pretty much completely dependent on the integrity of the seller.
At this point, don't be a dumbass and pray.
>>14908818
Read the sticky faggot, it has an entire guide.
>>14908818
Look at the oil on the dipstick. If it's milky brown or has some other fluid mixed in with the oil stay away.
Look at the coolant reservoir and also look for contamination there. Any oil/coolant mixing is a sign of headgasket failure.
Look at the transmission fluid if it's an automatic. Cycle through the gears and then look at the level, check the color (should be pink/clear maybe a little brown if not changed in a while) and make sure it doesn't have a burnt smell. When you drive it be on the look out for strange noises, and shifting problems. It should go into all gears smoothly and shouldn't make the whole car lurch or bump. Look out for bubbles on the stick or low/high fluid level. You want it between the dots/lines as indicated for the temperature of the fluid.
Look under the car for any obvious leaks and frame damage or rust. Check the fuel lines for any damage or rust.
Check the valve cover for leaking at the part it joins the engine.
Check the brake lines and brake fluid for the level and contamination. The pedal should not feel spongy when you brake. Make sure it does a good job stopping the car when you test drive it, it shouldn't take too much effort to push the pedal down to stop it.
When it idles it should be smooth, if there are hiccups it could be a sign of misfiring. If the car vibrates a lot it could be bad motor mounts or a drive train issue.
If you make turns and you hear ticking from the wheels or the sound of grinding the CV axles could have issues.
Any creaking or bounciness could point to suspension problems.
When you accelerate it should do so smoothly without any hiccups, if it hesistates it could point to transmission or ignition problems including misfires.
Obviously don't brush off a check engine light. Bring an OBDII scanner if possible if it's a model from 1996+ compatible with OBDII.
Good luck!
>>14909016
Thank you very much anon, I will check the car as you said!
>>14909082
Also OP check the sticky. There is a very thorough step by step guide on how to check your car for even more things that could save you a lot of headaches. It's the first post's image. Good luck m8
>>14909102
Just did, what is in there combined with what you said makes me more comfortable with the whole thing thank you so much
A big booty for you, at least this I can do
>>14908818
As with any online meet up the most important thing is to bring protection and personal lube just encase they don't.
>>14909244
>>14909244
>>14908818
Don't be an autistic frog posting faggot.
