Safety Checks to Make Before Buying a Used Car

When you start your search for a used car you’ll quickly learn that there are a lot of things you have to look for when deciding which model would be the best choice for your specific driving needs. There are many other things that you’ll want to learn about a used car other than its price and mileage, you’ll also want to know if it is safe. In order to learn more about a vehicle’s safety, you’ll want to follow this list of safety checks to make before buying a used car. Review these closely and you’ll be behind the wheel of a safe car in no time.

Used Car Safety Checklist

Government crash-test ratings. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website to see how the vehicle you’re interested in scored on the government’s test for auto safety.
Insurance industry crash-test ratings. To view how safe a used car is and what kind of crash-test scores it received, visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website for a full breakdown.
Antilock brake system (ABS). Experts all agree that this braking system is a must-have. Antilock brakes keep the wheels of your vehicle from locking up during hard stopping, help keep your car straight and allow you to still maneuver during a panic stop.
Electronic stability control (ESC). This must-have safety feature is designed to keep a vehicle from skidding or sliding while cornering.
Multiple air bag systems. You’ll want to look for a vehicle that offers multiple air bag systems that include front- and side-airbags and maybe even one that has the newer side-curtain airbags.
Head Restraints. A vehicle’s head restraints are a key safety feature that help prevent a whiplash neck injury that can incur from a rear-end collision.
Child safety. Look for a used car that is compatible with your child safety seats.