Pat Goss' Vehicle Inspection Tips
Inspect A Car's Safety Record Before Buying
Just as certain types of cars and vehicles are better for certain lifestyles,
you should consider all the uses of a car to ensure it is completely
safe for your planned driving habits.
The first thing you should do is search for a particular car's safety
ratings, crash test results and other similar data. This can be done
online by using these search words: car safety tests and car crash ratings.
The second thing you should to is determine if a car you plan to buy
has any recalled safety defects. Web searches can also lead you to this
information. Two good sites to visit are the National Highway Safety
Administration at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ and safercar.gov.
Next, you should inspect a car for critical safety features, such as
proper restraints for every passenger, front and side airbags, anti-lock
brakes and proper visibility. Remember that newer safety features may
not be installed in an older car you see on a used lot.
When you perform a car safety inspection, think about all the uses you
have planned for that vehicle. Also keep in mind that heavier vehicles
fare better in crashes than lighter ones, even if they feature the same
safety equipment and design.
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