Dangers of Buying Used Vehicles
Due to the economy and lack of growth, people are buying used cars more than ever. It is an easy way to spend less money for a decent car that gets you from point A to point B. Although these cars may be cheaper and affordable, it isn’t always the safest way to go when looking at buying a vehicle.
Buyers of used cars should be aware of used car dealerships because they distribute newer version of cars without side airbags. Side curtain airbags are standard in some vehicles but to cut costs of buying the cars, dealerships will order them without because it is much cheaper. According to Strategies General Motors has allowed fleet buyers, including the largest buyer, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, to remove the standard side curtain airbags from these two popular models of vehicles. They also reported that “despite the importance of side airbags as a safety feature, Safety Research & Strategies’ investigation has found that Enterprise Rent-A-Car and other fleet purchasers regularly took advantage of GM’s option to delete the standard side airbags in a significant number of 2006, 2007 and 2008 Chevrolet Impalas as well as 2008 and 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles. These cars were then resold to average American people just like you, with lack of awareness that there were no side airbags.
Side airbags are installed to protect the head, neck and upper torso area of the body. This is very important when it comes to the safety of the driver when involved in a fatal crash. Most of the time it can save your life. Side impacts are the second leading cause of injury when involved in a car accident and it is a shame that these dealerships put people’s lives at risk just to make more profit.
DMV Used Car Checklist
- Exterior (Glass fully intact free from cracks, rust, scratches, dents, windshield wipers, headlights and headlights and directional lights intact and fully functional)
- Tires (Tires are a reputable brand name Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, tires are all same make, no cuts blades anything sticking out, spare tire, all tires inflated)
- Engine (Free of fluid or oil leaks, oil filler neck not coated with thick, black deposits, oil dip stick free of dark, black oil, oil dip stick free of dark, black oil, exhaust pipe emissions are neither blue (indicates engine burns oil) or black (indicate excessive oil consumption).
- Suspension (Vehicle rests levelly, when bouncing the vehicle’s corners, no creaking noises are made, all corners respond the same when bouncing)
- Interior (Seats unworn and free of cracks, all doors open and close freely, lacks a heavy scent of air freshener may indicate something is being concealed, all gauges work, no dashboard warning lights remain illuminated, heater/air conditioner works, windows operate, alarms lights signals, buttons all fully intact and functioning.)
- Frame (no signs of rotting, crumbling, holes)
- Automatic or Manual Transmission (transmission fluid is clean, does not slip or raise and lower rpm while driving)
- Steering (Vehicle does not go side to side, no clicks or banging noises, no resistance while turning.)
- Brakes (No grinding noises when applying brakes, brakes do not lock up, and vehicle drives straight without pulling from side to side)
- Records/Documents (Paper documents of past services such as oil changes, part replacements, new tires etc.)
It is also wise to take a newly bought vehicle to a mechanic for further inspection. If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, you must call me right away at 1 (800) 556-4769. As your Ohio car accident lawyer, I’ll be there for you. My clients deserve justice and I will do everything I can, in other words, I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities. You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 877.944.4373.
