30 point Check list for used car buying.

[badfish!]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

I've only ever bought brake pads in pairs. From wear almost twice as fast.

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean?

When I said check all four, I meant the front pads and rear pads, but there should not be any difference in the front brake pads or any difference in the rear brake pads. IE, the front brake pads could have 5/32" wear remaining, but they should both have 5/32" wear remaining and the rear brake pads could have 10/32" wear remaining, but they should both have 10/32" wear remaining.

Vehicles generally use the front brakes more for stopping than the rear brakes, so the front brakes will tend to wear faster than the rear. Is that what you meant?

I hope that I clarified myself?

Also, the brake system is a sealed system, if your having to top it up, that means its leaking and you should either check it yourself or have it checked out (learned that one the hard way too... stopping is a very important ability for a vehicle to have )

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by badfish!

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean?

When I said check all four, I meant the front pads and rear pads, but there should not be any difference in the front brake pads or any difference in the rear brake pads. IE, the front brake pads could have 5/32" wear remaining, but they should both have 5/32" wear remaining and the rear brake pads could have 10/32" wear remaining, but they should both have 10/32" wear remaining.

Vehicles generally use the front brakes more for stopping than the rear brakes, so the front brakes will tend to wear faster than the rear. Is that what you meant?

I hope that I clarified myself?

Also, the brake system is a sealed system, if your having to top it up, that means its leaking and you should either check it yourself or have it checked out (learned that one the hard way too... stopping is a very important ability for a vehicle to have )

yeah thats what i meant. front pads wear faster and there wouldnt be the same amount remaining on all 4

[gregzz4]

Don't forget the most important thing ....

A loose nut behind the wheel

[Kryptic4L]

I would like to add a few. If the vehicle history report has something fishy in the report in reguards to titles. it may have been a former fleet vehicle.

Also check for a spare tire & kit.... Not fun trying to find one on some vehicles

Also check the tires are rated for the vehicle being purchased ( prolly only important on hd trucks )

If anything seems like a strange option in the vehicle, aka rubber floor linings... question it