You should also check the shocks. Push down with your full bodyweight once on each corner of the car. It should go down, then up once, and that's it. If it keeps going up and down like it's on the sea, you'll need to replace the shocks, and that's pretty bad.
Hey Chris, one tip I think you should put in the body is check the uniformity of the seams between body panels. I once was helping a friend purchase a used car, and I noticed the seams between rear quarters and trunk didn't flow evenly. Asked the owners about this and they said it had never been in an accident. I looked up the carfax and sure enough it was in a collision, so we avoided the car.
I looked at an '05 Acura RL that had a clean Carfax with no accidents listed. However, I noticed that the gap between the passenger's side fender and the door wasn't uniform like the driver's side. Looking closer, it was apparent the fender had some work done to it. The car was priced about $2K below blue book, and it otherwise appeared to be in good shape, but it had been on the lot for 90+ days according to cargurus.com.
@@chrisfix hi could u resend the link for the downloaded checklist.. idk that link isn't working for me. What do you think of a 2007 volkswagen jeta for a first car? Buying my first car im so nervous and excited at the same time.. don't wanna be scammed and end up with a ton of repairs to do.. I would like a toyota corolla but they are out of my budget range
These are good tips, when I bought my car (my dad checked everything for me) we used the wheel inspection and body inspection to negotiate down $1,500!!!
Hi Chris, Just wanted to express my sincere thanks for your exceptional videos and guidance. I’ve been looking for a used car for my mother-in-law for the past two weeks, armed with the BlueDriver code reader, penny, paper towels, fridge magnet, and of course the ChrisFix used car check list. I’ve seen one bad car after another (all of which were described as excellent condition in the ads) and ran into vehicle with bad CV boots, oil and tranny leaks, tire treads that barely covered the top of Abe’s head, massive sludge buildup around the engine, blow-by, suspension clunks, surging engines, pending engine codes and the list goes on and on. Finally, however, today I purchased a mechanically solid 2002 Toyota Camry that passed every single inspection point on your list and feel confident that I got my money’s worth and have a car that will easily surpass 300k with proper ongoing maintenance. Again, a huge thank you for your sage advise and help!
It's been a while since I first watched this video. It's nice that you have a printable checklist, which I plan to ask my local shop to use when they do an inspection of a used Sentra I'm interested in buying. Many thanks Chris to the hundreds of thousands of hours that go into all of your videos. You set the standard for everyone else with a channel, to be sure!
I saw this video about a month or so ago, and it changed my life. I downloaded the checklist and then began my search. I went through 3 test drives and inspections using your checklist. Just the other day I saw where you bought that Jag for your Dad and what you did for the rims. I followed your advice and found a cherry 2005 Volvo S40 t5 that HAULS! Negotiated about 20% off the asking price and believe I made a good deal. Good job by you!
+JDMRacingUK Dang, I should have read the comments before posting my own...as a former bodyshop owner, that's the first thing I look at, mismatched paint and panel gaps...
Thanks man! I am glad you see the value in the video! I think some people just like to come up with "theories" to try and discredit others. That is the only thing I can think of because anyone that watches my videos would know I always cover plates to protect the owners privacy (unless they dont care).
Thank you Chris. I bought my first car, a 2006 Lexus IS250 today. After inspecting I found issues with a front bumper, door mirror, AC not working, rusty spare wheel well and dropped the price by 500€. This video was very informative and helpful
I just don't understand the high resale walue of a old truck with high milage I think it's just people ignarance of the idea of having one I think this is also explains the high price of a new one when you have fools who put so much value in them the market just runs with it if I need a truck it's just cheaper to rent one
As a rule, I try to avoid used cars with aftermarket things such as rims or loud sound systems. Besides the possibility of maintenance issues they cause, they are often a sign of a young person as the primary driver and the possibility of engine and drive-line excessive wear due to hard usage. There's a reason for looking for a car only driven by grandma to attend church on Sunday. Most grandmas don't "drift".
Guess you haven't met the grandmas that don't change their oil because " I only drive to church and grocery stores". Best buys are enthusiast owned vehicles, those are meticulously cared for in all areas of the vehicle.
I have a loud system in my car and i car for it very well. It actually is cleaner now than it was when i bought it. I check all fluids once a week to make sure i have no problems. I also replace parts as soon as something breaks. I will admit, i drive at a higher speed than the average person, but i accel slow because my gearing is weird
@ChrisFix I think you should add "Test keys in door locks" to the list. My cousin got a used truck with electronic lock/unlock and he didn't test the keys. Turned out the keys didn't work in the doors, so he had to replace the door locks and then had to carry 2 diff keys because of the different ignition key.
Tires on an AWD car should ALWAYS be the same brand. Sizes run differently from brand to brand and in AWD vehicles different size tires (even worn tires of the same brand) can DESTROY the AWD system. I'd pass on this car.
JettyLife23 Thank you for that tip. But for someone like myself who’s clueless when it comes to cars, can you elaborate a little more on the “same brand” what do you mean in references to that specific statement. Thanks!
Honestly, I would just walk away from any car that has different tires. It's a red flag that the owner probably doesn't take care of his/her car very well.
Because of my job, I drive a lot of heavily used rental cars all around the world. Sometimes they don't look / feel really safe but as I don't (yet) understand so much about cars, I don't know what to look out for. Refusing to accept a car because "it just feels unsafe" doesn't go down so well with the rental companies. This Jaguar series gave me a lot of tips on checking the cars, but I would definitely like to know more. If you are ever low on video ideas, here is one viewer that would love a similar video but with more explanation regarding the safety of the car. Thank you for the amazing channel. It is a joy to see really quality content like yours! :)
That moment when you buy a car and you realized you didn't look at 80% of what you should have , I wish I would've remembered about this video first. Hopefully I didn't make a mistake lol
It's very easy to do if you're not careful, I bought a Suburban in 2015 and the transmission reverse gear died; that was the tip of the iceberg. Nice rust under the wheel arch extensions too, good they had replacements available.
Check the internal colour of the tail pipe. The colour can tell you a lot about the state of the engine. Ideally your looking for a grey/brown deposits. Not sooty black or oily. Uneven tyre wear could spell problems with the steering.
I bought my 1995 Jeep ZJ used...I've had it for around 20 yrs.....most repairs though few are around $100....I love it....and didnt know much about cars at all ,then,as far as working on them..Though I definitely knew how to drive fast cars and what they sounded like in good running condition.(I owned them growing up) I just drove it for the test drive and it ran good and was comfortable to me I learn only now because I Love it 💖 Those few repairs are one hell of lot better than monthly car payments 👍
most important , you must check the spaces between body parts.. if the car has crash the spaces between body parts are not even.. compare the spaces with other areas of the car..
Another thing you could do when inspecting the tires is to run your hands around the tyre to check for any bumps. Bumps can indicate suspension issues such as bad alignment.
The car may still been abused to death without oil changes etc. No way of knowing for sure. Avoid sort term and lots of previous owners and get receipts for all parts and servicing.
ChrisFix Thanks for reply. I haven't had a look but you should do a vid all about the test drive and how to check the motor and transmission, and how to tell the liars from the decent people. A compression test is great if you can get one. I would assume the worst if a car was scratched and there was no receipts/service history. You are the expert, so keep up the good work;-)
Look in the description for links to the other episodes. I did a video on how to figure out how much the car is worth, how to inspect the inside of the car, engine and go for a test drive (with the owner). Here is a link to the next episode: ua-cam.com/video/9N4RpohW-hU/v-deo.html
If you want replace the fuel pump in the X-type you need probably 1500$ of labor work. If one of the sensors go nuts well thats another 200$. body parts? well almost 900$ for a fender. RUN
Great! @ChrisFix i liked your video just seeing the list of what to check in car.... Good man... I started watching your videos just by two days back...... Good luck... God bless you.... Love from INDIA 🇮🇳
Chris, really helpful video. You provide a ton of real world experience information in your videos. I'm learning a lot. Thank you for taking the time to do them. :)
As a reseller understand the worry of buyers and agree with this, but if a buyer came with a list like that or does this. I'm just going to walk away lol. Respect for CHRISFIX on trying to help. Much love
Based on some of my experience on several used cars I bought in the past. The number one cars I feel to WATCH OUT for are the salvaged ones. (salvaged because of an ACCIDENT). Or just simply been in an accident! Because very often many parts besides the engine can give a host of problems since the car is often not "put back together correctly". Also Watch out for cars that seem to have been "beat up". That can tell you how well the "insides" of the car has been treated. And ONE BIG ONE: Watch out for THE BRAND!!! THE MAKE of the car. STAND CLEAR of all cars that are KNOWN for being problematic!!!
Great video Mr. Chris Fix THANKS FOR POINTING OUT ALL THESE THINGS, AS A WOMAN I'M PRETTY WISE ABOUT BUYING A USED VEHICLE I ALWAYS DO MY HOMEWORK AND WHAT SURPRISES ME IS THAT SOME PEOPLE DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO INSPECT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THAT IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE SELLER IS NOT GOING TO TELL YOU IF IT HAS RUST OR ANYTHING ELSE. SO PEOPLE DO YOUR HOMEWORK. BEST OF LUCK!
I watched the entire series and learned a great deal from you. However, I couldn't help but notice that you were able to do alot of the visual inspection fairly easy since the vehicle was in front of you. Would you have any extra or different advice on how to approach a vehicle that someone is selling on the internet? For example, a vehicle that is an hour away?
Either don’t buy it or drive out there and physically look. You would need pictures/ videos of everything that Chris mentioned. And you can’t test drive a car online. It’s never a good idea to bug a car online. And you can’t rely on car fax bc a lot of accidents aren’t reported. You need to physically look and touch the car
Check and measure the size of the gap between wheel and wheel-well-liner for all tyres. That gap should be same for the wheels at same axle (i.e. front-left = front right and rear left = rear right). Any mismatch indicates that that car was involved in a serious accident.
all these helpful tips and you guys are worried about a plate. even if this would've been staged, these questions are REAL. they should be asked and these inspections should be done. the plate has nothing to do with the information you should know at the time of purchase.
Chris ! i just wanted to thank you so much for all your vids and hard work making them ! i always learn from them and i really enjoy learning to fix things on my own ! i luv the jag and think you got a really killer deal on it !im 62 and recently retired and i want to buy myself an old benz 1999 thru 2002 e320 model I've always liked that body style any advice on those cars ? i know they are expensive to pay for repairs lol, but if needed i can do minor work myself ill let you know when i find and buy one . thanks again Bob K.
I buy and sale used cars almost everyday and what I learned over the years is u never say oh I love the car runs amazing ill give u 1900 knocking down a 1000
Yo, handy tip. Go with your gut when you meet someone to potentially purchase a vehicle. The person I met really gave me a sense that she cared for the vehicle while others before her, not so much. Many people do have great poker faces too and are great at selling the trash only they know about so you must be careful, however, I would recommend going with your gut with regards to the buyer. If it smells tricky, it almost always is.
PS, I made the right decision and got a 2005 Jeep Liberty with under 125K on it. I would have had made a worse decision if I had not properly checked previous vehicles I was I-I this close to buying, they looked well but did not drive right for some reason or another. Finding the right vehicle takes time. Definitely check the A/C, if it is a cold or hot day you might forget to check one or the other systems. That was the only problem with my Jeep but I fixed it with my Dad after properly getting the right fuses and locating where to add them at the fuse panel. (There were two panels.)
@@chrisfix i wanted to answer something like OMG THX FOR THE LIKE AND HEART but i would risk that you would remove it XD (happened to me like 2 years ago 😂 )
Thank God this playlist exists lol. I'm finally looking into buying a used car and a lot of the things you've covered in here (as well asin the next video) are things I would've never thought to check...I feel like an expert in cars now and I haven't even done anything 😂
Watched this video earlier this year and said to myself "I won't need to buy a car for a while yet". For context, I am 18 and currently drive my familys old car since my mum bought a new one. Recently took my car to get looked over by a friend who is a mechanic and got the news that my car is really unsafe to drive and to fix it will be super expensive. Now I have to go and buy my first car and came back to this video to make sure I buy a good car.
Also if the used car has a sunroof check to make sure there are no leaks and there's no rust in the channels between the sunroof the roof itself. Ask the owner if it's aftermarket sunroof or from factory either way make sure it works and again check for leaks visibily by the headliner and the drain tubes aren't clogged.
You are right about buying a car when it's wet , because when it rains out it hides the scratches and little dents , I bought a car when it was raining so I couldn't see the scratches or little dents , I was a little upset because I didn't see that
+Tinu Thomas lux car depreciation...because who buys used cars, and what is the cost to fix such a beat up luxury car. I don't know about jags but the other german makes can take a dive these days because of how expensive to maintain they are.
+Tinu Thomas Jaguars are built and sold to people who lease them for 3 years. During that time they're incredibly fun and powerful to drive. After that lease, they depreciate like a rock in a pond. The price difference between a used Jag and a used Toyota reflects reliability -- after the first 3 to 5 years of a Jag's life, parts start breaking, quickly (in my experience with two of them).
Lol. This is basic check. If you really want to buy a car you should also go to service and inspect cars computer (ECU) and car overall (by expert). Because you can see if there are problems with engine or something else (maybe milage is changed). Good luck next time :)
indeed when i got my driving license I asked my neighbur if I can buy his old jag cuz hè was gonna buy a xkr or how its called (500hp or something ) , but hè just Said:" hell no buddy , you are 18 and trust me it drains your wallet very fast" , now I will never buy a jag :)
+Cabo Wabo Same goes for Land Rover. At $14k the used 2006 Range Rover at a nearby car dealership looks like a tempting buy, but there's a very good reason it's been sitting there for over a year. They are cars you want to lease or buy brand new, and get rid of ASAP when the warranty expires or else they will drain your wallet.
Quick piece of advice guys, u can search if a car has had accidents if u out the vin number of the car in ur state website (Florida vin check for example)
If this car is really awd, you most definitely do not want to run two different sets of tires on this car even if they are matching pairs. 2 different sets of matching pairs only works for 2 wheel drive vehicles. Awd or 4wd vehicles should have a full set of 4, all matching, and not exceed 2/32nds difference in tread from each other. Otherwise you can cause serious damage to your vehicle.
Super helpful! I learned from Quora to use your fist to compare the space in the wheel wells, and sure enough, the car I was trying to buy had frame damage! Saved me a lemon
Thanks Chris for another great video. I tried to download the document but it wouldn't so I just created my own using the tips you gave and the few glimpses of the checklist you used. If you reply to this comment can I send you my email so you can send a more extensive checklist? I will continue to study on my own as well, thanks again Chris!
Thanks a lot! I got the link back up and running after seeing some other comments about people having issues with the link: www.chrisfixed.com/downloads.html
Great video series Chris, thank you for doing it. One question; what resources do you use when you are trying to come up with a list of the most common problems to check on a vehicle? In the video, you already knew a handful of things to watch for on that specific model.
+luka shetsiruli as you can tell, at the end of the video he contacted the owner for more info. He most likely added in some footage from after the owner opened the door 'cause the footage through the window had a lot of glare.
You missed one more important thing with the tires. Checking the DOT number. Even if they don't show too much wear, if they are old it still means you might have a new set.
Check for rips in the steering wheel ,especially where the airbag is,that means it could've been in an accident and a faulty airbag could of been placed.
Always check inspection sticker if in a state that has them,,see when it's due,,if it's over due or in need of inspection the time you look at it be cautious,,alot of people sell cars when it's time to be inspected or way over due because it w ont pass and the reason could be costly and this is why they sell it.I have asked the owner to have it inspected first then I would buy it,,if they refuse,leave
The electronic systems, checking up with the exhaust fluid, sound of the engine when running, leakages when it is raining, and strange Noises. And other systems that supports the health of the car.
I would say ur a dumbass but tbh I wrote the same thing then saw his pinned comment explaining it was a cover to protect identity and then I deleted my comment
I hated this style Jag. Hard to believe that these are descendants of the E-type! (one of the nicest cars ever) Ford screwed things up, Tata Motors really saved this brand
this is a good guide to inspect but you are looking at a car for a pretty penny price go to your trusted mechanic cuz u will see better oil leaks when the car is lifted up high
JAGUAR VERDICT DONT BUY!!1don't buy cheap used European cars because they're expensive to fix. 2 don't buy cars with after market wheels. 3 look for clues on how owners dealt with previous problems. For example, the way he glued that bumper just shows that he rather get by than to do things the right way.
Look at age if sign for fading & weather. Sniff car. Yep if it stinks skip it. Look at paint for two tone repair. Sun fade or large repaint. Check windshield got cracks chips & pitting. Look at thickness of pads Check door handles for action. Check wiper blades for damage. Check headlamps for cracks & yellowing
You should also check the shocks. Push down with your full bodyweight once on each corner of the car. It should go down, then up once, and that's it. If it keeps going up and down like it's on the sea, you'll need to replace the shocks, and that's pretty bad.
Well, you don't wanna be pushing your entire weight on the car if it isn't yours. Just wait for the test drive.
true,but shocking.
yeah shocks and struts can be expensive
The car can handle it.
I show that in the test drive video because I dont want to be doing that when the owner isnt around.
Here's another great tip... when taking a look at a Jaguar X-Type, turn the other way and run.
+ronjon83 hahaha, #toolate
Isn't it just a ford mondeo...! :)
+ChrisFix can you do a video on setting up stereo coz your video are clear and and awsme
+Dragon Ma It is, but it is a ford/jag hybrid so it had problems.
+Blew Shift They are super unreliable!
Make sure to give the car a kick to ensure the alarm system is working.
LMAO
😂😂
"Yeah theres a huge dent in the side, so I think you gotta take 500 off."
200
Kick it then don’t get it😂
Hey Chris, one tip I think you should put in the body is check the uniformity of the seams between body panels.
I once was helping a friend purchase a used car, and I noticed the seams between rear quarters and trunk didn't flow evenly. Asked the owners about this and they said it had never been in an accident. I looked up the carfax and sure enough it was in a collision, so we avoided the car.
I looked at an '05 Acura RL that had a clean Carfax with no accidents listed. However, I noticed that the gap between the passenger's side fender and the door wasn't uniform like the driver's side. Looking closer, it was apparent the fender had some work done to it. The car was priced about $2K below blue book, and it otherwise appeared to be in good shape, but it had been on the lot for 90+ days according to cargurus.com.
Check the next episodes where I go over that. Great tip! A link to those episodes is here: ua-cam.com/play/PLvKbarVtwhUv6bjLhJSyaEOxaYy03j7QS.html
Hey, i'm here 8 years later and this list is fire. Was going to create my own, but this one is excellent. Thank you so much Chris.
Just sent this to my sister in law who’s buying her first car, thanks for being in the community Chris!
Awesome! Thanks a lot!
@@chrisfix hi could u resend the link for the downloaded checklist.. idk that link isn't working for me. What do you think of a 2007 volkswagen jeta for a first car? Buying my first car im so nervous and excited at the same time.. don't wanna be scammed and end up with a ton of repairs to do.. I would like a toyota corolla but they are out of my budget range
@@JaiEl202 it works for me. Maybe try another browser?
@@chrisfix thank you for replying.. I did a screenshot.. I'll just write them down
These are good tips, when I bought my car (my dad checked everything for me) we used the wheel inspection and body inspection to negotiate down $1,500!!!
Hi Chris,
Just wanted to express my sincere thanks for your exceptional videos and guidance. I’ve been looking for a used car for my mother-in-law for the past two weeks, armed with the BlueDriver code reader, penny, paper towels, fridge magnet, and of course the ChrisFix used car check list. I’ve seen one bad car after another (all of which were described as excellent condition in the ads) and ran into vehicle with bad CV boots, oil and tranny leaks, tire treads that barely covered the top of Abe’s head, massive sludge buildup around the engine, blow-by, suspension clunks, surging engines, pending engine codes and the list goes on and on. Finally, however, today I purchased a mechanically solid 2002 Toyota Camry that passed every single inspection point on your list and feel confident that I got my money’s worth and have a car that will easily surpass 300k with proper ongoing maintenance. Again, a huge thank you for your sage advise and help!
It's been a while since I first watched this video. It's nice that you have a printable checklist, which I plan to ask my local shop to use when they do an inspection of a used Sentra I'm interested in buying. Many thanks Chris to the hundreds of thousands of hours that go into all of your videos. You set the standard for everyone else with a channel, to be sure!
I saw this video about a month or so ago, and it changed my life. I downloaded the checklist and then began my search. I went through 3 test drives and inspections using your checklist. Just the other day I saw where you bought that Jag for your Dad and what you did for the rims. I followed your advice and found a cherry 2005 Volvo S40 t5 that HAULS! Negotiated about 20% off the asking price and believe I made a good deal. Good job by you!
- Check the tires for uneven wear and cuts/ bulges... Uneven wear suggests problems with alignment or the suspension
Great tip! Thanks!
i actually learned that when doing my driving test haha but you're welcome
or he destroyed only two tires
Should have mentioned body panel alignment and gaps, paint tone consistency, wear on seats and steering wheel
+JDMRacingUK Yeah panel gaps is a must
+JDMRacingUK And all the glass should be same year
+JDMRacingUK well he did do seats and steering wheel
+JDMRacingUK Dang, I should have read the comments before posting my own...as a former bodyshop owner, that's the first thing I look at, mismatched paint and panel gaps...
+JDMRacingUK cant cover everything in one video. That is why there are multiple videos on this subject.
If there's no price it's FREE!
JMILLI techniclly he's right
So a parking lot?
It’s free if you run fast enough
Break that glass and haul some ass!
LOL!
Why are people so focused and stuck on ChrisFix license plate cover and not pay attention to all the good things you can learn from the video
Thanks man! I am glad you see the value in the video! I think some people just like to come up with "theories" to try and discredit others. That is the only thing I can think of because anyone that watches my videos would know I always cover plates to protect the owners privacy (unless they dont care).
I honesltly didnt know why i just thought it wad weird that your license plate was on their
it puts the lotion in the basket
Because its weird and kinda douchy
Constable Dodo i’m sure you can’t give 2 reasons why it's weird or douchey lmao
Thank you Chris. I bought my first car, a 2006 Lexus IS250 today. After inspecting I found issues with a front bumper, door mirror, AC not working, rusty spare wheel well and dropped the price by 500€. This video was very informative and helpful
I'm glad the video helped you knock some of the cost off!
just helped me walk away from a 5000$ truck man thank you!
Awesome! I am glad the video was helpful!
I just don't understand the high resale walue of a old truck with high milage I think it's just people ignarance of the idea of having one I think this is also explains the high price of a new one when you have fools who put so much value in them the market just runs with it if I need a truck it's just cheaper to rent one
As a rule, I try to avoid used cars with aftermarket things such as rims or loud sound systems. Besides the possibility of maintenance issues they cause, they are often a sign of a young person as the primary driver and the possibility of engine and drive-line excessive wear due to hard usage. There's a reason for looking for a car only driven by grandma to attend church on Sunday. Most grandmas don't "drift".
Nice tip!
Guess you haven't met the grandmas that don't change their oil because " I only drive to church and grocery stores". Best buys are enthusiast owned vehicles, those are meticulously cared for in all areas of the vehicle.
I have a loud system in my car and i car for it very well. It actually is cleaner now than it was when i bought it. I check all fluids once a week to make sure i have no problems. I also replace parts as soon as something breaks. I will admit, i drive at a higher speed than the average person, but i accel slow because my gearing is weird
yet grannys driving manuals thrash the clutch so you'll need a new one every 30k or so....
+Adam Spencer granny probably doesnt change any of the fluids if she puts on a lot of mileage
Thank you for these buying/inspection videos dude. Really helped me buying a used car.
I am glad the series was helpful!
@ChrisFix I think you should add "Test keys in door locks" to the list. My cousin got a used truck with electronic lock/unlock and he didn't test the keys. Turned out the keys didn't work in the doors, so he had to replace the door locks and then had to carry 2 diff keys because of the different ignition key.
another important check to do before buying a new car: check that there are no dead bodies in the boot of the car..
It is Jersey after all lol
There's not going to be dead bodies in cars
If the bodies have been there awhile, I think you might be able to smell them even in the winter.
I don't care, just threw them away.
+sangam kr Davidsfarm first phrase when openning the trunk LOL
Tires on an AWD car should ALWAYS be the same brand. Sizes run differently from brand to brand and in AWD vehicles different size tires (even worn tires of the same brand) can DESTROY the AWD system. I'd pass on this car.
I thought the same thing bro.
JettyLife23 yyy
The Buick Rendezvous is infamous for that problem!
JettyLife23 Thank you for that tip. But for someone like myself who’s clueless when it comes to cars, can you elaborate a little more on the “same brand” what do you mean in references to that specific statement. Thanks!
Honestly, I would just walk away from any car that has different tires. It's a red flag that the owner probably doesn't take care of his/her car very well.
Because of my job, I drive a lot of heavily used rental cars all around the world. Sometimes they don't look / feel really safe but as I don't (yet) understand so much about cars, I don't know what to look out for. Refusing to accept a car because "it just feels unsafe" doesn't go down so well with the rental companies. This Jaguar series gave me a lot of tips on checking the cars, but I would definitely like to know more. If you are ever low on video ideas, here is one viewer that would love a similar video but with more explanation regarding the safety of the car. Thank you for the amazing channel. It is a joy to see really quality content like yours! :)
Interesting! Thanks for the video idea!
Chris: On his way to buy groceries. Sees a for sale sign on a car and pulls out cam to make a video. Nice job!
That moment when you buy a car and you realized you didn't look at 80% of what you should have , I wish I would've remembered about this video first. Hopefully I didn't make a mistake lol
Aldo Ibarra same
yes i feet the same ...but netx time i ill take my time checking a car ...
It's very easy to do if you're not careful, I bought a Suburban in 2015 and the transmission reverse gear died; that was the tip of the iceberg. Nice rust under the wheel arch extensions too, good they had replacements available.
Aldo Ibarra I bought my car with 3 different tyres
Check the internal colour of the tail pipe. The colour can tell you a lot about the state of the engine. Ideally your looking for a grey/brown deposits. Not sooty black or oily. Uneven tyre wear could spell problems with the steering.
Thanks for the tips!
I bought my 1995 Jeep ZJ used...I've had it for around 20 yrs.....most repairs though few are around $100....I love it....and didnt know much about cars at all ,then,as far as working on them..Though I definitely knew how to drive fast cars and what they sounded like in good running condition.(I owned them growing up) I just drove it for the test drive and it ran good and was comfortable to me I learn only now because I Love it 💖 Those few repairs are one hell of lot better than monthly car payments 👍
most important , you must check the spaces between body parts.. if the car has crash the spaces between body parts are not even.. compare the spaces with other areas of the car..
+uvural Awesome tip which I am sure everyone will agree with! Tips like this help the community learn more which is important! Thanks for sharing!
I am a hacker i ban you ha ha ha ha. I am a gacker
If a part of the car looks repainted. It’s most likely been in an accident.
Another thing you could do when inspecting the tires is to run your hands around the tyre to check for any bumps. Bumps can indicate suspension issues such as bad alignment.
The car may still been abused to death without oil changes etc. No way of knowing for sure. Avoid sort term and lots of previous owners and get receipts for all parts and servicing.
There are ways to help identify those issues like how well the car was taken care of and talking to the owner but good idea with the service records.
ChrisFix Thanks for reply. I haven't had a look but you should do a vid all about the test drive and how to check the motor and transmission, and how to tell the liars from the decent people. A compression test is great if you can get one.
I would assume the worst if a car was scratched and there was no receipts/service history.
You are the expert, so keep up the good work;-)
Look in the description for links to the other episodes. I did a video on how to figure out how much the car is worth, how to inspect the inside of the car, engine and go for a test drive (with the owner). Here is a link to the next episode: ua-cam.com/video/9N4RpohW-hU/v-deo.html
ChrisFix Nice one. keep up the good work. My diesel starts without the glow plugs, I always say this is a very good sign!
mcwolfus2 K
where it all started... RIP Jag
It’s crazy how I watched this as a young kid just interested in your videos. And I just used this video now to buy my first car. Time flies
If you want replace the fuel pump in the X-type you need probably 1500$ of labor work. If one of the sensors go nuts well thats another 200$. body parts? well almost 900$ for a fender. RUN
he's a mechanic, he gets better deals a he does most of the work himself.
+osamaFXX Why do you put $ AFTER numbers?
+osamaFXX $900 for a fender.... I'm sure there are plenty of these things sitting in scrap yards by now so they would be about $50
Wet Lettuce Yea good luck finding one.
osamaFXX
Just done a very quick google search and the first scrapyard I looked at had 8 Jaguar X-types.
7:10 e-brake down 7:18 e-brake up.....😂
haha the for sale sign moves from the passenger side window to the drivers side of the dash at the end of the video too
LOL
Woah you right
Wtf 😂
Wow! Looks like Chris inspected, tested, bought the car and then shot this part of the video! Well okay, I don't mind.
can't believe this is 5 years old now in 2021 this is my second time buying a car on this checklist thanks alot chris
Great! @ChrisFix i liked your video just seeing the list of what to check in car.... Good man... I started watching your videos just by two days back...... Good luck... God bless you.... Love from INDIA 🇮🇳
Thanks for the support from India!
Chris, really helpful video. You provide a ton of real world experience information in your videos. I'm learning a lot. Thank you for taking the time to do them. :)
Im glad you're learning a lot!
As a reseller understand the worry of buyers and agree with this, but if a buyer came with a list like that or does this. I'm just going to walk away lol. Respect for CHRISFIX on trying to help. Much love
08.43 Allways check if the tire has worn evenly. This could mean that the wheel is not straight on the car and so on..
i love how Chris already put his license plate before he bought the car
I think it’s a sticker lol
Based on some of my experience on several used cars I bought in the past. The number one cars I feel to WATCH OUT for are the salvaged ones. (salvaged because of an ACCIDENT). Or just simply been in an accident! Because very often many parts besides the engine can give a host of problems since the car is often not "put back together correctly". Also Watch out for cars that seem to have been "beat up". That can tell you how well the "insides" of the car has been treated. And ONE BIG ONE: Watch out for THE BRAND!!! THE MAKE of the car. STAND CLEAR of all cars that are KNOWN for being problematic!!!
Stay out of french cars if possible, overall if you live in areas with lots of rain and inundations, or near the sea.
Anybody have a list of these problematic cars?
Great video Mr. Chris Fix
THANKS FOR POINTING OUT ALL THESE THINGS, AS A WOMAN I'M PRETTY WISE ABOUT BUYING A USED VEHICLE I ALWAYS DO MY HOMEWORK AND WHAT SURPRISES ME IS THAT SOME PEOPLE DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO INSPECT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THAT IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE SELLER IS NOT GOING TO TELL YOU IF IT
HAS RUST OR ANYTHING ELSE. SO PEOPLE DO
YOUR HOMEWORK. BEST OF LUCK!
Nice comment, but no need to yell at us...
I watched the entire series and learned a great deal from you. However, I couldn't help but notice that you were able to do alot of the visual inspection fairly easy since the vehicle was in front of you. Would you have any extra or different advice on how to approach a vehicle that someone is selling on the internet? For example, a vehicle that is an hour away?
Don't but it
Either don’t buy it or drive out there and physically look. You would need pictures/ videos of everything that Chris mentioned. And you can’t test drive a car online. It’s never a good idea to bug a car online. And you can’t rely on car fax bc a lot of accidents aren’t reported. You need to physically look and touch the car
Awesome video, Chris! Thanks for the tips! :D
+salman12322 Thanks man!
Check and measure the size of the gap between wheel and wheel-well-liner for all tyres. That gap should be same for the wheels at same axle (i.e. front-left = front right and rear left = rear right). Any mismatch indicates that that car was involved in a serious accident.
@ 5:35 Rear driver's lug-nut is missing.
good catch.i dont think he saw that one
If he bought it, I'm sure he will
+Fambamilee all you have to do is drill it out. I do this on the regular
+Fambamilee wow boy, nice point,..
+Fambamilee People should film video and let you have a look at it before purchasing. Great eye!
Taking a look at a porsche 944, it runs, but it needs a fly wheel. I’m gonna manual swap it. Never done it in my life
Good luck!
@@chrisfix thank you! Love your channel!
I swear I was driving down Philadelphia from NN and I saw the same corvette you had. Same color and all. Are you a NJ native?
Yep!
this playlist is still very relevant today and is a huge help
all these helpful tips and you guys are worried about a plate. even if this would've been staged, these questions are REAL. they should be asked and these inspections should be done. the plate has nothing to do with the information you should know at the time of purchase.
Exactly! When putting those plate covers over the plates, I never thought people would turn into detectives lol.
Chris ! i just wanted to thank you so much for all your vids and hard work making them ! i always learn from them and i really enjoy learning to fix things on my own ! i luv the jag and think you got a really killer deal on it !im 62 and recently retired and i want to buy myself an old benz 1999 thru 2002 e320 model I've always liked that body style any advice on those cars ? i know they are expensive to pay for repairs lol, but if needed i can do minor work myself ill let you know when i find and buy one . thanks again Bob K.
3:35 it was at this moment that i knew that this guy’s from New Jersey
This is a very well-made video. Thank you for the value you've provided. And thanks for the checklist.
Thanks a lot! I'm glad you used the checklist!
I buy and sale used cars almost everyday and what I learned over the years is u never say oh I love the car runs amazing ill give u 1900 knocking down a 1000
Very informative. I'm 15 and hopefully going to be driving soon, and this is great to know for when I'm looking for a car
Glad the video series was helpful!
Yo, handy tip. Go with your gut when you meet someone to potentially purchase a vehicle. The person I met really gave me a sense that she cared for the vehicle while others before her, not so much. Many people do have great poker faces too and are great at selling the trash only they know about so you must be careful, however, I would recommend going with your gut with regards to the buyer. If it smells tricky, it almost always is.
PS, I made the right decision and got a 2005 Jeep Liberty with under 125K on it. I would have had made a worse decision if I had not properly checked previous vehicles I was I-I this close to buying, they looked well but did not drive right for some reason or another. Finding the right vehicle takes time. Definitely check the A/C, if it is a cold or hot day you might forget to check one or the other systems. That was the only problem with my Jeep but I fixed it with my Dad after properly getting the right fuses and locating where to add them at the fuse panel. (There were two panels.)
Man buy yourself a beater with a heater for 1st car! As long as drivetrain is good your good to go.
@@jeremyrich123 good points! And INSIST that your mechanic look it over! If they are hesitant don't walk but run away from it young man!
Chris: I LITERALLY JUST SAW THIS CAR
Also Chris **Has time to quickly put on those plate covers** :D i know its for the safety but still :D
Pretty much!
@@chrisfix i wanted to answer something like OMG THX FOR THE LIKE AND HEART but i would risk that you would remove it XD (happened to me like 2 years ago 😂 )
Thank God this playlist exists lol. I'm finally looking into buying a used car and a lot of the things you've covered in here (as well asin the next video) are things I would've never thought to check...I feel like an expert in cars now and I haven't even done anything 😂
I check all the seams between doors/quarter panels/trunk & hood for consistency.
Watched this video earlier this year and said to myself "I won't need to buy a car for a while yet". For context, I am 18 and currently drive my familys old car since my mum bought a new one. Recently took my car to get looked over by a friend who is a mechanic and got the news that my car is really unsafe to drive and to fix it will be super expensive. Now I have to go and buy my first car and came back to this video to make sure I buy a good car.
If the VIN Number is visible on the drivers corner just below the inspection sticker, run a carfax report on the vehicle.
Yeah, good idea.
"Jagwire"
Jacob Erickson Welcome to Western America
Jacob Erickson how do you pronounce it then?
OfficialHopelost9 jag-war
Pranav Ajay Warrier ok, but that's wrong and phonetically abbreviated
The all new jag yoo ar x2
Also if the used car has a sunroof check to make sure there are no leaks and there's no rust in the channels between the sunroof the roof itself. Ask the owner if it's aftermarket sunroof or from factory either way make sure it works and again check for leaks visibily by the headliner and the drain tubes aren't clogged.
Should I cheak car like this at the dealership? It is a used car dealership but they also sale new cars.
+bobbyredskins21 yes, dealerships can be even harder because they have more tricks up their sleeve.
ChrisFix umm.... i dont want to argue with you but why does the rear license plate say ChrisFix
Probably to not put the owners plate all over the internet without permission. Common courtesy.
Hockeyman, the plate covers does say ChrisFix... I cover the plates on every car I film to protect the owner's privacy.
ChrisFix ohh ok sorry so did u tape it on or edit
You are right about buying a car when it's wet , because when it rains out it hides the scratches and little dents , I bought a car when it was raining so I couldn't see the scratches or little dents , I was a little upset because I didn't see that
Dang I still remember this video and now, his dad has a Maserati:O
Omg, $2,999! For an '04??? Wow, I can sell my dad's 2003 Toyota Camry for at least $5000
+Tinu Thomas and its a Jaaaaaag
+Tinu Thomas lux car depreciation...because who buys used cars, and what is the cost to fix such a beat up luxury car. I don't know about jags but the other german makes can take a dive these days because of how expensive to maintain they are.
+Tinu Thomas Jags just cannot keep their resale value
+Tinu Thomas most japanese cars are reliable and live much longer so the don't drop in price as much
+Tinu Thomas Jaguars are built and sold to people who lease them for 3 years. During that time they're incredibly fun and powerful to drive. After that lease, they depreciate like a rock in a pond. The price difference between a used Jag and a used Toyota reflects reliability -- after the first 3 to 5 years of a Jag's life, parts start breaking, quickly (in my experience with two of them).
Just got my license September 14 & this video is very helpful
I wish you had uploaded this video before 2 months ago😔
I bought a lemon too man, two months ago...
+Francisco Buruca I bought trailblazer
+zohaib hassan ouch
I bought a Ford expedition
Lol. This is basic check. If you really want to buy a car you should also go to service and inspect cars computer (ECU) and car overall (by expert). Because you can see if there are problems with engine or something else (maybe milage is changed). Good luck next time :)
Jags are a pain to fix, stay away
indeed when i got my driving license I asked my neighbur if I can buy his old jag cuz hè was gonna buy a xkr or how its called (500hp or something ) , but hè just Said:" hell no buddy , you are 18 and trust me it drains your wallet very fast" , now I will never buy a jag :)
+Cabo Wabo we will have 30 minute videos on how to fix a simple electric faults on CrisFix soon :)
+Cabo Wabo Same goes for Land Rover. At $14k the used 2006 Range Rover at a nearby car dealership looks like a tempting buy, but there's a very good reason it's been sitting there for over a year. They are cars you want to lease or buy brand new, and get rid of ASAP when the warranty expires or else they will drain your wallet.
Quick piece of advice guys, u can search if a car has had accidents if u out the vin number of the car in ur state website (Florida vin check for example)
Exactly what I showed in the next video: ua-cam.com/video/9N4RpohW-hU/v-deo.html
You got a 90s host kinda voice
+Shaya Kells Thanks!
The fact that you’re inspecting a jaguar is already a no no, when it comes to buying cars, the brits aren’t good car makers
If this car is really awd, you most definitely do not want to run two different sets of tires on this car even if they are matching pairs. 2 different sets of matching pairs only works for 2 wheel drive vehicles. Awd or 4wd vehicles should have a full set of 4, all matching, and not exceed 2/32nds difference in tread from each other. Otherwise you can cause serious damage to your vehicle.
Was it just me, or did the rear license plate say "ChrisFix"
+SwagSubscriber it was to cover the cars plates for privacy reasons.
+Logan Hamilton oh ok, I just noticed the white license plates behind it
+SwagSubscriber Nah it was just you.
+Vewser what?
Oh
Super helpful! I learned from Quora to use your fist to compare the space in the wheel wells, and sure enough, the car I was trying to buy had frame damage! Saved me a lemon
Good catch!
Thanks Chris for another great video. I tried to download the document but it wouldn't so I just created my own using the tips you gave and the few glimpses of the checklist you used. If you reply to this comment can I send you my email so you can send a more extensive checklist? I will continue to study on my own as well, thanks again Chris!
Thanks a lot! I got the link back up and running after seeing some other comments about people having issues with the link: www.chrisfixed.com/downloads.html
@@chrisfix Not a problem Chris! Thanks so much, the document downloaded easily. I appreciate the response! :D
Awseome video, I work on my own cars so this is a great way to find any issues or items I may need to fix soon. Thanks.
Great video series Chris, thank you for doing it. One question; what resources do you use when you are trying to come up with a list of the most common problems to check on a vehicle? In the video, you already knew a handful of things to watch for on that specific model.
I usually do a quick google search on the make and model and that brings up what I need to check!
I hopefully am going to buy my first car tomorrow! It’s a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.
7:02 FACE REVEAL! (Kind of).
He had a video where he showes his face
That’s not how you spell shows but ok
@@nhadrian8494 Shut up grammar nazi.
@@nhadrian8494 death to grammar Nazis
Why is in 7:11 hadbrake is down and in 7:15 its up?
3spooky5me
+luka shetsiruli yeah good catch!
+luka shetsiruli as you can tell, at the end of the video he contacted the owner for more info. He most likely added in some footage from after the owner opened the door 'cause the footage through the window had a lot of glare.
+luka shetsiruli the car got a boner when he sees chrisfix
+Bad Drivers of Alabama The owner was shopping and came by wondering what I was doing lol
You missed one more important thing with the tires. Checking the DOT number. Even if they don't show too much wear, if they are old it still means you might have a new set.
Thanks for the tip!
What is the DOT number?
You´re a genius bro nobody can cheat you
You can still cheat me but it is a lot harder! That is why knowledge is power!
ChrisFix Completely True bro. Knowledge is the best to have. :D
Check for rips in the steering wheel ,especially where the airbag is,that means it could've been in an accident and a faulty airbag could of been placed.
Always check inspection sticker if in a state that has them,,see when it's due,,if it's over due or in need of inspection the time you look at it be cautious,,alot of people sell cars when it's time to be inspected or way over due because it w ont pass and the reason could be costly and this is why they sell it.I have asked the owner to have it inspected first then I would buy it,,if they refuse,leave
Where do you live to have that little rust? In mass after 80k cars start to literally melt from the road salt and chemicals
The electronic systems, checking up with the exhaust fluid, sound of the engine when running, leakages when it is raining, and strange Noises. And other systems that supports the health of the car.
"The first thing I do is put my ChrisFix license plates on the car I'm looking at. If it doesn't look good, I don't buy the car."
Now kiss.
WhiteSlift You fuck off.
hahaha
Have your mechanic inspect and diagnostic test it, too. Check the exhaust for white smoke. Listen to the engine and visually inspect the engine.
3000 for a jaguar in that contition aren't so bad. with less than 2000 on it i would look great
+Dimitris Theodopoulos Except that's no Jag. That's no better than a Ford Taurus.
+Dimitris Theodopoulos I wouldn't take this car even if it was free. Do you know how expensive even simple maintenance repairs are on cars like these?
+Dimitris Theodopoulos 3000k?=3million.. hah fail bro
+Dimitris Theodopoulos 3000k???
+Dimitris Theodopoulos oops ok sorry gyes my fault!
he find the car on the middle of the road CHRIS FIX license plate
He use those to Hide the Licence plates of the Cars he Films
I would say ur a dumbass but tbh I wrote the same thing then saw his pinned comment explaining it was a cover to protect identity and then I deleted my comment
Oliver Mohler lmao that’s pretty funny
I hated this style Jag. Hard to believe that these are descendants of the E-type! (one of the nicest cars ever)
Ford screwed things up, Tata Motors really saved this brand
Rob James OMG YES!
Rob James nice gtr in your profile pic
Thanks, it's just a stock photo, I got mine in black lol
Ford actually helped bring a little quality control.
this is a good guide to inspect but you are looking at a car for a pretty penny price go to your trusted mechanic cuz u will see better oil leaks when the car is lifted up high
Used this video for a college communication assignment. Been watching for years. Thanks for making my assignment easy and enjoyable.
Glad it was helpful! Hope you got a good grade!
I remember watching this as a kid now I am watching this to know what to look for while buying a car I always whanted (w124).
Chris! I’m doing my online drivers Ed right now, and my instructor used this video for reference. Thought it was kind of cool👍
JAGUAR VERDICT DONT BUY!!1don't buy cheap used European cars because they're expensive to fix. 2 don't buy cars with after market wheels. 3 look for clues on how owners dealt with previous problems. For example, the way he glued that bumper just shows that he rather get by than to do things the right way.
What about for parts? A lot of these parts are really good and could be sold for a good profit.
Charlie Vetsworth you’re not too bright, buddy.
2:14 "I already got $500 off" Smh🤦♂️ $501*** Jkjk😂
Look at age if sign for fading & weather. Sniff car. Yep if it stinks skip it. Look at paint for two tone repair. Sun fade or large repaint. Check windshield got cracks chips & pitting. Look at thickness of pads Check door handles for action. Check wiper blades for damage. Check headlamps for cracks & yellowing