Used Car Fail or Win? 

I was doing heads on an 06 Land Rover. Job completed, system bled, on final warmup cycle/leak check, and double checking the last of my work before test drive. Was leaning over the right headlight, when that stupid plastic bottle coolant junction blew apart. HOT Coolant all over my bottom half. Luckily, the uniforms we had, were layered and i had just enough time to get to locker room and change before it reached my skin. Pants were still steaming when i put them in the hamper. People don't realize the dangers we face as mechanics. Good show sir. Absolutely addicted to your content lately.

Anytime you buy a used car be prepared to spend a thousand dollars more for things you did not find even with an inspection. That has been my experience over the last 50 years! This is going to sound like overkill but here is a list of what I do to my vehicles. Result? No serious issues! Change oil with full synthetic Mobil 1 every 5,000 miles or six months (April 1st and October 1st) Add Techron fuel cleaner every oil change Check paper air filter every oil change and replace at least once per year Inspect all driveline components including brake shoes and grease all greaseable fittings including door hinges etc. Replace ALL fluids every two years with new gaskets or crush washers Replace windshield wipers every six months (April and October) I buy cheap ones Check all linkages, clean and lube every oil change Clean throttle body every oil change When coolant gets replaced I also replace radiator cap, coolant thermostat plus upper and lower hoses Thoroughly clean vehicle inside and out and apply protectants on paint and rubber gaskets (April and October) Check and clean battery terminals and apply dielectric grease There's more but you get the idea. All of my domestic vehicles have gotten over 200,000 miles and were still running great when sold. My 2012 Toyota 4Runner is going to get 400,000 miles.

I live in maryland. To get plates the car has to pass inspection. Over 100 items on the list. Depending on the county emissions test every 2 years.

Glad you made the seat belt comment - never let it ding.

“Bologna Skin” ha ha ha you crack me up! Thank You Kenny for information that is Awesomeness Extreme! Much Love and Hugs

A friend asked my advice before buying a specific vehicle & I advised him against it, he bought it anyway for $4000+. Not long after he had a shop work on it because the issues were beyond my physical abilities, I have spinal issues. The shop charged him a fair price for what they did but, it was well over $3000. He now has twice the investment of the book value. I told him not to call me if he's not going to heed my advice. I have enough frustrations in my life.

I work at a CDJR dealership. Few years ago, young tech opened a hot radiator cap. Geyser of coolant burned him hand to elbow.

Dont let my channel name fool you... Been a mechanic and transitioned into an auto recycler fourty years ago. Over the years we have had tons of customers proclaiming the "good deal" they got, only to flip when they find out what parts cost to repair ! good deal..... yeah.....

Great troubleshooting/diagnosing video Kenny. Love it! 👍

Key off hold odometer button then key on 1 click. Will show P codes then do a cluster test with gauge sweep and cycling all lights.

Great video. Diagnosis and fix the pressing issues, I hope she's buying new tyres haha.

As a Dodge Avenger owner with 203k miles that’s not a bad deal. They are good cars 2.4 has been great to me n I’ve replaced coils n plugs bc of similar misfire…it’s the transmission that’s gonna take it from her n me eventually

Affordability...why most people buy Kia and Hyundai vehicles. The just don't know any better.

Excellent advice, a set of tires is a kilobuck! A cheap car gets real expensive real fast, especially in a state with epa or safety inspection !

Good afternoon Mr Kenny hope y'all had a great day

Never would have thought to check the seal. Probably just throw a new cap on and then still overheat. Glad you talked about not taking those caps off when there’s pressure inside

I'm thinking a $4500 car isn't much of a step up and is just as likely to have issues.

I am fairly savvy with cars, more so in the old days. I know the general things to look for when buying a used car. This day and age, a mechanic will be looking at any car before I buy it. They put them on the lifts, check codes, and look for things unseen, that we didn't have to worry about years ago. I would rather lose 100 - 150 bucks for having the thing checked out, than to lose thousands, if it is messed up. Like you always say Kenny, be mindful. If a deal is really a good one, sometimes just because of that, it can be a red flag.

If you open and close your freezer door 4 times the defrost will kick on. Whirlpool we had years ago.

That water neck is clamped onto two hoses. Toyota truck broke factory plastic clamps.

I couldn't be happier with my 12 subaru outback. I couldn't be unhappier with my lack of knowing what I need to fix.

INCREDIBLY COMMON for people to by an "affordable" car that costs 3 times it's selling price, to fix it well enough TO BE SAFE. MOST ARE JUNK!

Doesn't matter much ive seen people buy a vehicle they really cant afford and still have issues with them. But yes i agree have a reputable shop you can trust inspect it.

What kind of Junior Sample outfit sells a gal a car with those tires?

Also. Most of the time I remember seeing a little clamp on those little hoses. Why that's not there is strange.

I see this all the time. Be prepared to spend some money to fix what needs to be fixed, and absolutely take it to someone/mechanic before you buy the car. I see people get burned by this all the time...

For a Nissan, it's catalytic Converter ☓ 2!

Kenny that radiator cap was a supprise ...your the man

Hi Ken, I worked in a shop in Pontiac, Michigan where people brought in cars they bought from local used car lots all the time. I did my best to inspect them and give them a breakdown on what I thought they needed. These people were honest and hard working, but they didn't know cars and didn't make much money. They'd get financing at the car lot too, which basically meant that they were going to wind up with as much car as they could afford. It's really something how attached they'd get to a car befor they even knew anything about it. By the time I inspected it, they were dead set upon keeping it. Sometimes I'd try to tell them to take it back due to so many defects, and just get another one, but they'd already seen themselves in it and weren't about to do that. So I'd get it safe 1st then start fixing doors that wouldn't open, brakes that were marginal, loud exh etc.They'd come back very loyally every 2 weeks and spend a couple hundred bucks on it until it was good enough to drive to work and back. When you said the owner of the Avenger had to spend $1,500 more and might go back and get a $1,500 upgrade, it wouldn't work in Pontiac. The used car guy would try to sell them leather or bigger engine or flashy wheels on the same level of junk, so the way I did it was better. I think you did just great, and it really took me back. ben/ michigan

She may have had second degree burns. 3rd degree, the flesh supports a flame.

When I was in the motor trade I gave up telling people to get rid of a doge’y car because the one they replaced it with was always worse!

It’s a good thing she brought the car to you

Its not a Chrysler its a Dodge! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Thanks Kenny!

shall we count the red flags for the buyer? 1) horn button mounted to the dash 2) rough running 3) bald tires 4) tire pressure light 5) Traction control light on. Just the horn button mounted to the dash is reason to back away and look for a different car unless you are willing to drop time and money on the car that may need several high cost parts or parts that require specialized tools to repair. If a good mechanic looked at the car pre-purchase, they would also have looked at the brakes, steering, and bushings. Too bad the owner did not have you look at it before they laid out the cash.

Same here ive had issues with duralast coils i bought 4 new ones and they all failed one by one in time. I switched back to oem and no issues

When I was young at a gas station a customer came in saying car overheating so checked hoses and they were soft so I went to remove rad cap and it blew up in my face, in hospital had eyes flushed for an hour and doctor said I will have sensitivity to bright lites as I nearly boiled eyes to loss of vision now I can't see in bright lites or sun some 50 years since it happened so lesson learned

You know Kenny, you have this friendly, wise, honest voice that your audience gets so used to. It's like we meet every morning at the local breakfast diner and share stories and converse over coffee. I am informed enough to know and trust your master mechanic knowledge and skill, but your personality has that calm southern charm that invites people down to Carolina. You are an island of pragmatic peace in an internet of consternation and chaos. And when your blood pressure is is as volitile as mine is, you are a safe sanctuary for the thinking man (or woman). I salute you sir!

I always ask if there is anything wrong after I pay for it too.

I like most Chrysler products pre E Torque and excluding the 2.7 V6. I just make sure to have some jumper wire in the back for when the TIPM decides to fail but enjoy my Jeep JK and my wife's Grand Caravan. Thanks for showing the code read with the cluster. That's a new one on me.

Great advice for people to consider a car savvy individual help check out a potential car for purchase. Great overall inspection and repair of customer's car.

I would have offered 2k for the ac and misfire and tires. That front left tire is Amazing! Awesome to see it make it to that point, I'm never so lucky, I always get half life before a failure.😮

AFAIK: The cooling system is under pressure to increase the temperature that it boils. Opening the cap removes the pressure which means it boils instantly.

I get into trouble when I use common sense so I only use it when in private

harbor frieght has code readers i use blue driver

Oof, AutoZone duralast has a lifetime warranty but limited to the original purchase of the part

Ride along with Professor Kenny! ☕😄

auto zone has test and print out of codes and test abs for free

You can't sell a car with balled tires like that in Michigan unless it's written down to the customer. Unsafe to drive. Tires bad. Customer must sign off on it...be it a car shop, car sales, private owned.

Too bad you can't get replacement boots for the coil since it was obviously firing. What were the brakes like?

I have never bought a car/ truck that didn’t need something done to the brakes.

The lady that bought this car might not be savvy about cars but she should have noticed the bald tires. That's just plain common sense. Since she just bought the car maybe she did notice the tires and plans to buy new ones.

How the hell do cars get that bad in America? Especially the tyres. Do you have a compulsory yearly safety check ? 🇬🇧

I bought a used car recently got the $250 inspection by a local AAA certified mechanic shop. What they found Tires dry rotted Wheel bearing on passenger rear. What they missed AC didn’t work needed condenser, compressor and dryer. Radiator cap was broken. Brakes were worn down to dangerous levels. Needed new master cylinder and new slave cylinder’s on rear drums. If I didn’t pay top dollar $6700.00 out the door I would have taken it in stride I normally have to spend $1000.00 per year for normal maintenance oil change brakes etc But for a car worth maybe $4000 now I’m in a little deeper than I thought I would be.

Or if the dealership feels slimy walk away. Any dealer that would sell a car with that bad of misfire is a POS..

That’s what I never understood why some places do not have a safety inspection I live in Ontario Canada and every used vehicle that is bought here even if it only has 900 kms on it has to come to a licensed mechanic like me to do a safety and those tires never would have passed ever

Not everyone can afford the $200+ charge for a prepurchase inspection, ALL mechanics TODAY charge preposterous prices and should be ashamed of themselves!!🤬

When you where under the car did you check the su SF pension and brakes,? At least her repair bill wasn't much money.

I HATE engine beauty covers, all my vehicles have their engine covers removed; I've never seen a use for them and it's never adversely effected the engine reliability or performance

Your a great Guy, checking that car out. And yes,many people but a fixer upper and spend thousands getting it right. Car salesmen,🤷✅. please people get a used car inspected before you spend your cash.👁️☮️😎✌️

There are some good used vehicles on the individual sales market but like you said be prepared to spend money on repairs. Like you said you can't really take them on a short test drive and plan on everything to show up which sometimes it take many miles for computer to catch the codes then your in a bad place. I think you're better off to search out a reputable dealer and pay a little more up front unless you get such a great deal where you can spend a grand or two out of pocket. Most dealers include a 30 day 1500 mile warranty that will help with repairs. Great video filled with your fantastic knowledge as usual. 👍❤

Problem is the way the used car market has gone insane you can't find anything reasonably priced. If all you have is $3000 you're in trouble. People have started listing cars that have literally been sitting in fields for 5 years for $2500+ and don't even bother cleaning them up. Cars that sat there because they couldn't get $500 for them at the time. Now they're selling like they're gold! And good luck getting them fixed within that 3k budget, its hard to find any shop that's going to do anything for under $300 just to start...$800-1200 more likely. If you've only got $3,000 to spend you're better off moving to where there's a bus stop withing walking distance

She needs tires and a alignment job ! It's definitely out of alignment to wear tires that way ! Course you know that but she should've looked at them !

If you can fix what you got , you know what you got .

I learned early on that if you are opening a possibly suspect coolant cap to throw a rag on it so any vapors, spitting, etc will be captured by the rag instead of being shot over on you.

Good job Kenny and some good recommendations 👍

My dads friend who was a mechanic by trade actually burned himself opening a hot radiator cap. I forget what the issue was but obviously it was related to the coolant system (69 Chevy truck). So he felt confident since he did open hot radiators fairly often and assumed it would not be that hot since the truck was only on for 5 minutes. However he forgot to take into account that it had been just driven prior to him showing up (he was also our tennant) so showing up meant stepping outside. Fortunately he got minor burns but my dad keep reminding him about it years later. And i had a similar issue with a new radiator cap. Since my dad planned on selling my 94 suburban I took the new radiator cap and put it on my 95 sierra (switched caps). A few weeks later im heading to work when my temp gauge rockets to max temp not even 5 minutes from home. Pulled into the first gas station and my radiator was empty. I could see where the coolant leaked from yup the "new" cap. Turns out it wasn't the correct size. Although it did fit and locked into place (safety lever style). The flange that actually held on the radiator fill neck was barely making contact so it slipped off on one side. Then to top things off the water/air machine was out of service so i had to buy a six pack of one gallon purified water bottles just to fill it. But no steam or smell prior to the gauge hitting red. Ended up buying two different style caps at an auto parts store on the way to work just to be sure.

I don't get concerned with tyres on roadside buys because the wreckers near me have a good selection of used ones & they fit them while you wait .I'm now in a position where I can purchase new tyres if need be but when I was struggling to come up with a thousand dollars to buy a vehicle the tyres were the least of my concerns(being a now retired mechanic helps ).A set of tyres from the wreckers were about $100au.

That was a neat af trick!!!

Going good.

This day and age, I would never buy a new car. Even the titans of reliability like Toyota are making some super suspect decisions with their new models. Moral of this story is to have the car looked over if you don’t have an eye for it yourself. But definitely go buy yourself a lightly used car, virtually new still, for tens of thousands of dollars less.

What brand of replacement coils have you had good luck with?

I feel for anyone duped by scumbag used car salesman. It should be ILLEGAL to sell a car with tires in that condition. Maybe it was a private sale?

I've bought quite a few used cars from car lots and private individuals. And I've found some things I wasn't happy with and I've said well it needs x y z. How about knocking down the price. And some have been fair. Some say anything you think needs addressed we will negotiate.and some say no what I'm asking is what I want. Not coming down on it. Those I say no deal not interested

Was this a private sale or dealer? I believe that in NC a dealer cannot sell a car that does not pass inspection, i.e. codes, bald tires, etc. Great information and advice for car buyers. Best advice you gave was find a shop that you build a relationship with that you can trust.

If I'm selling a car I'm sure as hell not going to allow some guy off the street plug anything into the ODB connector. Bad advice.

Seems like part of the issue is not taking time to look at the vehicle, even if you aren’t a car person, and rejecting the ones where you see a problem. This gal knew the engine was missing. She got lucky it was just a coil and not internal damage. The guy with the bad bondo, rusted frame truck, if he’d a just looked it over… Anybody can look for mismatched paint, misaligned body panels, bad rust, uneven tire wear, vibrations, misfires, hvac modes that don’t work…. Reject those yourself, and take the one with no problems you can spot yourself to a mechanic, BEFORE the purchase.

Im in scearch of a new chevy/gmc truck. I now have a 2001 4.8l 4x4 silverado. It still runs great but just need a second vehicle. Just wanted your advice on what year etc..would you recommend.

Never ……Buy a car without your mechanics approval …and if you don’t have a mechanic you can trust … Why are you buying a car ..?

Best bet, buy from a dealership that offers a warranty. You pay more but worth it.

Just a little bit of a Russell Crowe going on there.

Buying the used car is the cheapest part of ownership 😂

I got a really bad burn when I opened the overflow cap and got one of those guysers . Hit the hood and splashed. But I was fast. Small burn on wrist. 5 weeks to heal. So watch the overflow if you think it's under pressure .

I would suspect the battery is not adequate with all of those different codes.

I always replace with lever vent radiator cap.

My wife's 70 Catalina got hot because she only had water in the radiator and it was cold. I stopped at a gas station and as I opened the cap a guy said No! I was sprayed in the face and luckily my beard was instantly covered in ice.

My brother had a 77 Plymouth volarie wagon with a 225 slant six one winter it got real cold a guy we know put a used radiator and coolant in it after the old one started leaking, the next day the car got hot the coolant was frozen and he started the car stood in front of it and told my brother to give ir some gas, and the radiator exploded in his face he looked like The incredible hulk covered green.

Many friends ask me to look at cars with them. There are some shady used dealers around. Im glad you mentioned about the codes being cleared. Kenny if i find a link i should email it to you. In my town recently. A girl left her license and the guy made a tik tok videoing peeing on her D.L. they took their sign down and reverted back to the old dealer name. Yep they are in legal trouble. At the same dealer location, when we were quite young we should up as a friend was finishing a deal, we checked the trans fluid, it was dark and burnt. The guy did rip up the paperwork.

Honda or Toyota used anything else u screw

With a 2.4l over 100k miles you are playing with the odds of big repairs coming up usually head gasket or sludge buildup from poor maintenance. Hope the best for her

As always Ken - You are a Saint.

Boy that pollen is bad there like here in Ma. I know what you mean about spending all on the car that needs repairs! Two of my nieces bought like that and are broke fixing it! Women get taken advantage of when buying used vehicles! Also as you said , they don't know what they don't know! Thanks Kenny and take care!

I’ll stick with my Toyota would never own a Chrysler product

Eye doctor here. I notice when you drive you look over top of your glasses a lot. Just wondering if that's a habit of some kind or? Obviously, you should always see better thru your lenses. If it's something you don't want to discuss that is obviously your own personal decision. Just curious here.

This right here is where used car lots and some mechanics get a bad reputation. How is it legal to sell a car that wouldn't pass an inspection? I don't trust any garages near me. I like your videos and I wish you were closer.

Wow she hit the jackpot on this one

Fifty bucks for a mechanic to take a look at used car, can save you money and more importantly a big headache. Something like bald tires, able to see is one thing, but a pro can lift it, get under it and know what to look for👍

How much would it cost for you to look over a prepurchase vehicle?

dodge avenger...yikes

AFTER YEARS OF DRIVING A TOW TRUCK I'VE LEARNED ALL CHRYSLER'S ARE 100% JUNK 100% OF THE TIME.

A $3000 car will need $1500 worth of repairs, so just buy a $4500 car is probably the worst advise I have ever heard.