If you are looking for a used Jeep on the market, it can be a challenge to find one that has been well cared for and has not been driven carelessly. It is important that you look under the hood and even crawl under the Jeep. Even if you are inexperienced in knowing what to look for, certain problems can be easily noticed with the naked eye.
When you look at used Jeeps, you need to give the Jeep a close look. Don’t take the seller’s word for the truth. You should look for any dirt and debris that has lodged in the gaps in the fender and behind the tires. If you notice any giant lumps of mud, dirt, or clay sticking to certain parts of the Jeep, the chances of it being pulled off the road at some point are relatively good. Buying a Jeep that has been used off-road is not always a problem; however, vehicles that have been used off-road tend to suffer more damage than those that have been used primarily for on-road driving alone. It is important that you know what you are getting into before buying a used Jeep.
Another area to check is any removable roofs or doors. Jeep Wranglers have a wide range of removable parts, take a close look at these areas to make sure they are clean and in good condition. If your Jeep has a soft top, you will want to look closely at the seals and zippers to make sure they are in acceptable shape for a Jeep of that year. If the hood appears to be in good condition it is a sign that the Jeep has been well cared for. After inspecting the upper part of the Jeep, you should proceed to the lower part of the body. While you’re there, you’ll want to keep your eyes open for rust or any damage that may have been caused by driving over larger-than-normal objects, such as rocks. If there is a large amount of rust on the underside of the Jeep, it is a sign that it has not been properly cared for or cleaned after off-road excursions.
You can also ask the landlord for maintenance records. If the seller cannot provide them, you can always ask for the name of your mechanic to make sure the Jeep has had regular maintenance. If a seller can’t provide you with any maintenance records, they likely won’t keep them. The next step in the inspection process is to take the Jeep in for a test drive. During this process, you need to accelerate and then stop quickly, test it at a variety of different speeds, and take a full test drive. At this time you should pay special attention to strange smells, noises or anything else that does not seem right to you. If you notice a musty smell, it could mean the Jeep experienced a leak at some point. If you hear strange sounds coming from the engine, it could mean that costly problems are coming.
After the test drive, if you feel like you’re in relatively good shape, your next step would be to take the Jeep to your mechanic for an inspection. Your mechanic will be able to give you an idea of the overall mechanical condition of the Jeep and if you notice any issues that you may have missed. Your mechanic can easily tell if the Jeep has been well cared for. You can also ask them if they feel the Jeep has been abused and hard driven off-road. Once your mechanic inspects the Jeep, you will have a better idea of whether that particular Jeep is right for you.