Ask yourself: what's the initial feeling you get from your first look at the car ? A closer look will reveal if the owner took care of the car. Does the car appear to be well-cared for, perhaps bearing signs of the owner's affection?

• Examine for rust, an epidemic that can destroy a car's integrity.

   

• Beware of newly painted cars. That's a possible cover-up for more serious damage to the body.

   

• Has the car been parked outside or in a heated garage?

   

• Are there considerable dents, mismatched paint areas, or poorly fitting parts? Wavy-looking panel surfaces or flaking paint can mean a cover-up for an accident.

   

• Look inside the car for wear and tear on the seats and pedals. This is another indication of the quality of the owner's car care.