things to know before you buy a car

Check the registration.  Will it expire soon? Is the current owner listed as the owner of the title?

Did it pass the safety check?  Or the Smog test?  When was the last time that happened.  If it doesn't/didn't/won't pass, why?  Check on why by having the owner get a test, if it won't pass for more reasons than you're willing to deal with- DON'T ENCUMBER YOURSELF.

Know where your hazard lights are.  You need to know this the moment you get in to drive a car, whether it's yours or not.

Check your fluids.  Coolant, Clutch, Oil, Window washing stuff, water- do you have refills in the trunk?

Have jumper cables

Know the average gas mileage and how much the tank will hold.

Do all of the windows roll down?  Do the windshield wipers work?  Can you see out the windshield after the wipers have done their stuff?

Air and heat.  Mostly air.  If there is dust coming out of your little vents....well that's just wrong.  Does it work?  Where do you live? Does it need to work?

You do have a jack right?  Know how to use it.  Some jacks are different than others.

Where is your spare tire?  How do you get it out?

Look at the tread on your tires.  Forget that, inspect your tires.  Is there dry-rot?  Are they bulging in weird places?  Is the tread even?

Ask the owner 'When was the last time you had any work done on this car?'  Any work.  Professional.  Non-professional.  Do-it-yourself.

Do all of the doors open?  How do you open the doors that have problems opening?

A lot of used cars have things that have been ghetto-rigged.  Find out what is ghetto about your car.  ex- I re-routed the radiator fluid so that it wouldn't go through the heater core because that's cracked and I don't need heat where I live.   I have to open my trunk with a long phillips screwdriver because the key hole is missing.  The glove compartment latch is broken, so we hook it closed with a bungee cord and a plastic hook.

Know where your car battery is- don't buy it if it is in an unprotected area or if it is hard to get to.

Google your car before you buy it.  Find out what problems other owners have come across.

Become friends with someone who is good with cars.

Know the local mechanics.

Know the numbers to nearby junkyards.  Have them on your phone and in the glove compartment.

Do you have the driver's manual?  It's a good idea to have the previous owner write his/her own manual for you.