Mechanic shares shocking red flags that EVERY driver should check for before buying a used car

Daily Mail​

26-04-2025

A mechanic of 15 years has warned about the red flags you should look out for before buying a used car.
The car expert, who goes by Shift Perfect on TikTok, has earned a legion of followers by often posting car tips, tricks, and secrets.
In his latest viral video, he broke down the key features to check on before making a used car your own.
'First off, just because the engine's pretty, doesn't mean it runs good,' he began. 'Of course, go ahead and check your oil and coolant.'
The mechanic continued: 'Here's where we start getting into the good stuff.
'Go ahead and make sure you feel the engine. If it's already warm, they ran it before you got to them.
'That doesn't always mean the engine is bad, but it can hide noises from when the engine started cold.'
He then urged people to wipe the oil on a white napkin - whether the engine was hot or cold.
'If you see any metal flakes, that could indicate catastrophic engine damage,' he explained.
The mechanic also said to get a 'good OBD2 reader' to check the emission-monitored readiness.
This scanner plugs into a car and works with the vehicle's computer system to share diagnostic information.
It can reveal diagnostic trouble codes, real-time data, and potential issues that could cost you a lot of money to repair.
He explained: 'If those emission monitors aren't set it means they cleared the codes out which usually means they're trying to hide something wrong with the vehicle.'
The video has amassed almost 495,000 views and 13,400 likes, and viewers flocked to the comment section to share their thoughts.
One comment read: 'Overall good advice.'
In another video, David Long, who is known online as the Car Wizard, detailed the six vehicles he thinks prospective buyers should never purchase.
The car enthusiast emphasized to 'not buy [them] under any circumstance, no matter what kind of good price or deal you're getting.'
He warned that despite getting a discount, the amount of money that you'll spend on fixing these cars up won't make them worth it in the long run.
Some of the cars on his list included a 2004 to 2010 Ford F150 or Expedition F250, cars that have General Motors' 3.6 liter V6, and any European car with more than 150,000 miles.
Another TikTok user named Andy, who goes by Andy's Auto Advice, warned in a recent video that you shouldn't buy the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Kia Telluride, or Chevrolet Tahoe in 2025.