Car sales expert shares 3 important things to look out for when buying a used car

Buying a second-hand car can save a lot of money. With rising costs, more people might find it easier to get great deals on used vehicles. But there are a lot of things to look out for to make sure that the car is in proper working condition and won't cause any major problems once you take it home. Thankfully, TikTok video creator @russflipswhips, who posts a lot of content that has to do with car sales shared a video putting out three important things to look out for when considering a used car.

Following these tips could save one a lot of potential trouble when buying a used vehicle. The first tip he shares has to do with determining the tread on the tires. A lot of second-hand car salesmen try to cheat their customers by giving tires that are slightly worn out. To tackle this, he suggests taking a penny when going to look at the car. According to the creator, it could save most people "thousands of dollars."

He takes the penny and puts it upside down in the tire tread. The man explains, "If the tread does not touch the head of Abraham Lincoln, like in this case, these tires are worn out and need replacement for sure." The second tip involves a test drive to check the wheel alignment of the car. We see the creator sitting in a car and taking his hands off the steering while for a short time to see if the car veers off towards the side.

He says, "If the vehicle fades to the left or to the right, that's how you know your alignment is out." The man further adds that poorly aligned wheels could lead to tires wearing out faster. The final tip that he shares is the most important, as it makes it seem like somebody is very knowledgeable about cars. He opens up the hood and asks viewers to check the air filter.

The man states how most cars had it around the same location and could be accessed easily.

He manages to pull the air filter out on the car that he is checking to reveal a fairly clean filter. "This one's pretty clean, but they can get dirty," he adds. In case people see a filthy air filter, he shares that customers can give their salesmen a dirty look. The creator's video turned out to be very helpful for a lot of people and they put down their insights in the comments section.

@bryantcrump300 highlighted, "You should check the oil for level, color and metal flakes, and check the transmission fluid for level and smell. If it smells burnt, it's a no-go." @nikkie.marie shared, "My husband has been in the dealership world for about 20 years. I went by myself and was told I was feisty. He taught me well!" @imthatmom84 pointed out, "Also when you start the car, make sure to check the engine light comes on first, then turn it off when the car is fully started. You can tell if it's unplugged."