Auto Talk 101: What to Get Checked Before Buying a Used Car - as part of the expert series by GeoBeats. When you buy a used car it is great to have a technician look over the car before you spend the money on it. There are a handful of things to consider, but generally speaking, the entire vehicle should be looked over from head to toe. I would propose what I call a bumper to bumper inspection of the vehicle, and that looks at everything from the frame, does the frame have integrity or has it been in an accident in some way? You are going to want to know this right away. The other things to consider: does it seem to have been well maintained, has it been maintained over the life of it? Furthermore, will you inherit maintenance and repair records when you buy? This is something that your repair facility can go through with you and confirm that things have been or have not been done over the course of it is life. Obviously safety issues, you want to know what shape the tires are in, what shape the brakes are in, belts and hoses and fluids. Are you buying a vehicle that is soon due for it is timing belt? That is an expense you are going to want to know ahead of time, that can be quite expensive. Does it have a timing belt or not? There are a handful of things that your facility can help you with. But in short, an entire bumper to bumper inspection will be called for before you spend money on any used car.