____ Brake pedal worn down to the nub is a sign the vehicle has been driven a lot. You can't always trust the odometer as a sign of wear and tear.
If you squat down and take a look at the car, it should be sitting level. Any difference in the front or back could mean that the springs need replacing. Left-to-right differences in height might be an indicator of suspension or spring damage, maybe even an accident.

____ Test the shocks and struts by bouncing the front and back of the car. It shouldn't bounce more than once. If it bobs up and down a few times. the shocks/struts most likely need replacing.

____Unusual tire wear is a giveaway that the car needs an alignment or suspension work. Wear on the inside or outside of the tires may indicate more than a need for new tires. It can mean front-end problems or that the car's been in an accident.

____ If the sticker on the driver's side doorjamb that indicates the vehicle identification number (VIN) doesn't match the VIN number on the dashboard, the door may have been replaced.

___Is there enough oil and what color is it?_____

____ Fluids that appear to be dripping from crucial front-end components lets you know the time for replacing is near since parts aren't designed to leak vital fluids.

____ The transmission fluid should be pink or red and it shouldn't smell like burnt plastic. That smell means the transmission has been abused or overheated and might need to be fixed. Fixing a transmission sometimes costs more than the car. Drive a used car long enough to warm up the engine. Then pull the transmission dipstick. A burnt smell could mean transmission problems in the near future.

____ Find the air cleaner and remove the top. If you see oil around the bottom and sides, it more than likely means you're going to have an expensive ($300 to $400) motor repair problem in the near future.

____ The engine is the heart of the car.

___Is it clean?

___Does anything look tampered with?

___Does it make any knocking or ticking noises while running?

TEST DRIVE

___ Notice if the car 'pulls' to one side or another or if it vibrates at higher speeds (tires aren't balanced). Pay attention to sound, smells and any strange movements.

___Have someone follow you and check for telltale exhaust smoke. Black indicates the car is getting too much gas. Blue usually means the engine is worn out and white smoke means coolant is getting into the combustion chambers, probably through a blown head gasket or cracked cylinder head.

____ Review the view. Many cars are designed with smaller windshields and raised trunk lids. "When you're first in line at a traffic light, can you look up through the glass and see it?"

____ Parallel park to see if your view ends too abruptly when backing up.

____ Gun the engine. In park, rev the engine to 3000-4000 r.p.m. Listen for a smooth sound, not one that is coarse and jarring. On the highway, hit the gas abruptly to see how quickly the car shifts into its passing gear. A lag of two to three seconds indicates a poor transmission.

____ A thud or click while you take a turn are a sign that the axles and/or the bearings are shot. Listen for any clunking or humming. If it makes some noise back there, it could be that the gears are worn.

____ Hear yourself think. Most noise enters the car through the floor. Close all windows and roll slowly along a gravel driveway. Also, drive over potholes. Exterior sounds should be faint.

____ Drive at night. See if the headlights reach far enough in the distance to give you plenty of time to stop when objects are suddenly detected.

___What color is the oil now after the test drive?

____Have it inspected at a body shop, if you plan to buy the car. The staff will check for signs of repainting and collision damage. Signs include the presence of repair welds, salvage-yard repair parts, and whether or not the car has been rebuilt. Expect to pay between $25 to $125.

____ Go to a garage where the technician's inspection will include verifying that the vehicle drives straight; that the brakes, fuel lines and air bags work properly; and that parts haven't moved violently or have been replaced. Expect to pay between $50 and $125.