Auto Level - Your trusted partner for pre-owned cars Dubai

Before buying a pre-owned car from a car dealership in Dubai, it is absolutely essential that you examine it thoroughly for any defects, damages, or other issues that may not be immediately apparent.

External inspection

• Examine the exterior of the vehicle including the side panels and the roof and check for any damage, corrosion, scratches, or abrasions.
  Open and shut the doors, hood, and trunk to see if they are functioning properly.
• Check the windows glass and windshield for scratches or cracks.
  Check the suspension by pushing down on corners and seeing if the vehicle is sitting level.
• Confirm that all the lights are working, the lenses and reflectors are intact, and are not fogged up.
• Check the wear on the tires and whether the vehicle still has its original tires or whether the tires have been changed recently. If you observe new tires on a low-mileage car, you should inquire why the tires have been changed.

Car cabin inspection

Looking at the interiors of a pre-owned car you plan to buy is extremely important as you would spend the maximum amount of time in the cabin.

• Check for bad odors such as a musty, moldy smell. This indicates mildew which could be caused due to leakage.
• Lift the floor mats and inspect the carpet for wet spots.
• Check the seats and the upholstery. The upholstery should be in good condition especially if the pre-owned car has low mileage.
• Inspect the brake, clutch, and gas pedal rubber. The rubber should not be worn out on a car with low mileage. If the rubber is worn out it indicates the vehicle has been driven a lot.
• The instrument and control panel should not be damaged and be in working condition.
• Turn on the ignition switch without starting the engine and ensure all the warning lights turn on for a few seconds and then go off when you start the engine.
• Examine every switch on the dashboard to see if it is working
• Turn on the heater and the air conditioning to assess the working condition
• Turn on the sound system and examine all the settings, turn all the knobs, pair your phone via Bluetooth or aux cable.
• Inspect the cabin roof for stains, sagging, or leaks. If the vehicle has a sunroof, verify that It opens and closes properly. If the pre-owned car has a convertible top, inspect it for tears using a flashlight.
• Inspect the inside of the boot of the pre-owned vehicle and look for bad odors and indications of water seepage and leaks. Also, look for corrosion and rust.

Inspect under the hood

The car engine lies under the hood and it is essential that you comprehensively examine the engine before buying a pre-owned car.

• Examine the engine bay to get an idea of its general condition. Oil splatters in the engine bay area and below the vehicle are signs of a leak and you should be cautious about such cars.
• Inspect the battery for corrosion, disconnected wires, and loose hoses.
• The battery is an extremely important component of an electric or a hybrid pre-owned car and needs to be thoroughly checked before you decide to buy the vehicle.
• Check that the fluid levels are adequate. Verify that the fluids are clean and do not need to be replaced.
• Inspect the radiator and coolant for leaks and other issues

Inspect under the hood

The car engine lies under the hood and it is essential that you comprehensively examine the engine before buying a pre-owned car.

• Examine the engine bay to get an idea of its general condition Oil splatters in the engine bay area and below the vehicle are signs of a leak and you should be cautious about such cars
• Inspect the battery for corrosion, disconnected wires, and loose hoses
• The battery is an extremely important component of an electric or a hybrid pre-owned car and needs to be thoroughly checked before you decide to buy the vehicle
• Check that the fluid levels are adequate Verify that the fluids are clean and do not need to be replaced
• Inspect the radiator and coolant for leaks and other issues

Check the undercarriage

You need to check below the car as well, as you may get indications of leaks and other issues with the vehicle.

• Look for oil patches below the car as these could be a sign of gas or oil, coolant, or transmission fluid leakage.
• Black and greasy residue in the tailpipe Indicates burnt oil. Major corrosion and rust indicate the exhaust system has to be replaced.