Navigating the used car market can be daunting, but this episode highlights seven critical maintenance red flags to look for before making a purchase. Niall Motormouth Jenkins shares practical tips on checking vehicle titles, assessing fluid conditions, and evaluating tire wear. He emphasizes the importance of maintenance records and visual inspections to avoid costly surprises. With a mix of humor and expertise, listeners gain valuable insights into making informed decisions when buying used cars, ensuring they don't end up with a lemon.
Buying a used vehicle can save you money - or cost you thousands if you miss the warning signs.
In this episode, we walk you through seven critical maintenance red flags you must check before you hand over your hard - earned money for a pre - owned vehicle.
In this episode, we cover:
1) Signs of poor maintenance and neglect
2) Red flags that signal expensive future repairs
3) What seller's won't tell you
4) Why service history matters more. than mileage
5) How to avoid buying someone else's problem
This episode is designed to help you buy smarter, avoid regret, and protect your wallet.
Perfect listening before shopping for your next vehicle.
More episodes and...project details & links are available at CarConnectionBusinessNetwork.com (ccbusnet.com) You'll find everything on our homepage if you'd like to Follow the build & connect with our program partners click on their logo to connect with them, Thank You!
Links include: YouTube,Facebook, Instagram, stevensvilleontheweb.ca click the businesses tab to find us, iHeartRadio, Merch Store, Our Podcast is available wherever you pull your podcasts from, search Car Connection Workshop
Thank You for watching ,listening, supporting all that we do to help others! Appreciate y'all a bunch! Happy Healthy Motoring, Bye for now, NMJ
"...take a, let's say a 63 Corvette, split window, park it in the middle of a cornfield..."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a famous sports car from America. The 1963 model is special because it has a unique split window design that many people love, making it a favorite among car collectors.
The Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American sports car known for its performance and distinctive design. The 1963 model, particularly the split-window variant, is highly sought after by collectors due to its unique styling and historical significance.
"...it is a labor of love. I like hearing about barn finds..."
A 'labor of love' is something you do because you really enjoy it, not just to make money. For car enthusiasts, it means working on or restoring cars because they love the process and the cars themselves.
The phrase 'labor of love' describes a project or activity that someone undertakes not for financial gain but out of passion and dedication. In the automotive context, it often refers to restoring or building cars that the owner is deeply passionate about.
"...I like hearing about barn finds and people who have cars stuffed away..."
A 'barn find' is when someone finds an old car that has been hidden away for a long time, usually in a barn. These cars can be very special because they might need some work but can be valuable and interesting to restore.
A 'barn find' refers to a vehicle that has been discovered after being stored away for a long time, often in a barn or garage. These cars are typically in need of restoration but can hold significant value and interest for collectors and enthusiasts.
"...head with a hammer? So we rescued a 1997 Jeep TJ Wrangler, a little red one from a wrecking yard in the Nia..."
The Jeep Wrangler is a tough, off-road vehicle that people love for its ability to go anywhere, like on trails or in the mountains. The 1997 version is a classic model that many fans enjoy fixing up and driving around, especially for outdoor adventures. It's often talked about because it's fun to drive and can handle rough terrain really well.
The Jeep Wrangler is a compact and mid-size four-wheel drive off-road vehicle known for its rugged design and exceptional off-road capabilities. The 1997 model, part of the TJ generation, is particularly significant for its classic styling and solid axle suspension, making it a favorite among off-road enthusiasts. It might be discussed in the context of restoration projects or adventures due to its iconic status and versatility.
"...we were in there harvesting parts for a car hauler that we're working on for outdoor adventure men for Christ..."
Harvesting parts means taking useful pieces from old or damaged cars, usually in a junkyard. People do this to fix other cars without buying new parts, which can be cheaper.
Harvesting parts refers to the process of removing usable components from vehicles, often in a junkyard or salvage yard, to be used for repairs or restoration of other vehicles. This practice is common among car enthusiasts and mechanics looking to save costs on repairs.
"...there's this little red deep tj with the hood open and I could hear it crying and going help me it sucks to be here..."
The Jeep TJ is a type of Wrangler that was made from 1997 to 2006. It's great for off-roading and has a classic look that many people love.
The Jeep TJ refers to the second generation of the Jeep Wrangler, produced from 1997 to 2006. It is known for its rugged off-road capabilities and classic design, making it a popular choice among off-road enthusiasts.
"...I get into the mud on my back in my work jacket check the frame front to back and I go yeah we could do something with wouldn't this be cool if we could get to sing back on the road in..."
A frame check means looking at the main structure of a car to see if it's damaged or rusty. This is important for making sure the car is safe to drive.
A frame check involves inspecting the structural frame of a vehicle for damage or rust, which is crucial for safety and performance. This is especially important for older vehicles or those used off-road.
"if you're buying a private sale vehicle you got to be sharper than a fifth grader let me tell you because a lot of people will not tell you the truth"
A private sale vehicle is a car that someone is selling on their own, not through a car dealership. It's important to be careful when buying these cars because the seller might not tell you everything about the car's problems.
A private sale vehicle refers to a car sold directly by its owner rather than through a dealership. Buyers should be cautious, as private sellers may not always disclose all relevant information about the vehicle's condition or history.
"if I found a goodie is what I'd call it and say you know we just really got to put some aesthetics in this clean it up inside"
Aesthetics is about how a car looks. When someone talks about improving the aesthetics, they mean making the car more visually appealing, like cleaning it up or fixing any scratches.
Aesthetics in the context of vehicles refers to the visual appeal and overall appearance of the car. This can include the exterior paint, interior cleanliness, and any modifications that enhance its look.
"and some mechanicals and then it's a good car again for somebody use as a second ride or a third ride or a spare car"
Mechanicals are the parts of a car that make it work, like the engine and brakes. When someone mentions checking the mechanicals, they mean making sure everything is functioning properly.
Mechanicals refer to the mechanical components of a vehicle, including the engine, transmission, brakes, and other systems that are essential for the car's operation. Ensuring these are in good condition is crucial for vehicle reliability.
"...there's no lemon law in Canada sorry to tell you but that's in the US of A we do not have a lemon law here in Canada..."
A lemon law helps people who buy cars that have serious problems. If a car can't be fixed after several tries, the law lets you return it for a refund or replacement, but this law doesn't exist in Canada.
Lemon laws are regulations that provide remedies to consumers for defective vehicles. In the U.S., these laws allow buyers to return a car that has significant defects that the manufacturer cannot fix after a reasonable number of attempts.
"...we have curbsiders that are buying and selling junk and they most of the time they are lipstick on a pig and a skunk and a mink coat..."
Curbsiders are people who sell cars without being official dealers. They might sell cars that are not in good shape, so it's important to be careful when buying from them.
Curbsiders refer to unlicensed dealers who sell cars without proper registration or oversight. They often sell vehicles that may be in poor condition or have undisclosed issues, making them risky for buyers.
"...you'll want to see the vehicle title and you want to see if it is labeled see if I got that handy here..."
The vehicle title is like a birth certificate for a car. It shows who owns the car and has details about it.
A vehicle title is a legal document that establishes ownership of a vehicle. It includes important information such as the vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model, and the owner's details.
"...if it says irreparable means you can buy it but you can't put it on the Ontario roads..."
If a car is labeled as irreparable, it means it's too damaged to be fixed safely. You can buy it, but you can't drive it on the road.
Irreparable refers to a vehicle that has been damaged to the extent that it cannot be repaired to meet safety standards for road use. Such vehicles can be sold but cannot be legally driven on public roads.
"...salvage means just that um it's parts it's a parts car..."
A salvage title means the car was in a bad accident and the insurance company decided it wasn't worth fixing. You can buy it for parts or fix it up, but it might not be worth much.
A salvage title indicates that a vehicle has been damaged and deemed a total loss by an insurance company. It can be sold for parts or repaired, but it may have a lower resale value.
"...rebuilt means that it's had a wreck it's been it was deemed repairable it's been repaired..."
If a car has a rebuilt title, it means it was once damaged badly but has been fixed up and can be driven again. It needs to be checked by someone to make sure it's safe.
A rebuilt title indicates that a vehicle was previously declared a total loss but has been repaired and restored to a roadworthy condition. It must be certified by an inspector to ensure safety and compliance.
"...welded metal in on framework and structural components that you're not supposed to heat..."
Structural components are the strong parts of a car that help it stay together and protect passengers during an accident. If these parts are damaged or not repaired correctly, the car might not be safe to drive.
Structural components are parts of a vehicle's frame that provide strength and integrity. They are crucial for the vehicle's safety and performance, especially in the event of a collision.
"...he's taken all the tensile out of that metal so if you hit that car if you hit something else guess what happens that frame is..."
Tensile strength is how strong a material is when it's being pulled. For cars, it's important because the metal needs to be strong enough to handle impacts without breaking.
Tensile strength is the maximum amount of tensile (pulling) stress that a material can withstand before failure. In automotive terms, it refers to the strength of the metal used in the vehicle's frame and body.
"we're going to check engine engine oil power steering transmission fluid and brake fluid"
Engine oil is a special liquid that keeps the engine parts moving smoothly and helps prevent them from getting too hot or dirty.
Engine oil lubricates the moving parts of an engine, reducing friction and preventing wear. It also helps to cool the engine and keep it clean by carrying away contaminants.
"we're going to check engine engine oil power steering transmission fluid and brake fluid"
Brake fluid is a special liquid that helps the brakes work. When you press the brake pedal, it sends this fluid to the brakes to make the car stop.
Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid used in the braking system of a vehicle. It transfers force from the brake pedal to the brake pads, allowing the vehicle to stop effectively.
"we're going to check engine engine oil power steering transmission fluid and brake fluid"
Transmission fluid is a liquid that helps the car's gears shift smoothly. It's important to check it to make sure the car can change gears properly.
Transmission fluid is a lubricant used in automatic and manual transmissions to ensure smooth shifting and to cool the transmission components. Checking the fluid level is essential for transmission health.
"...if they've just done the oil change I guarantee you they haven't done a power steering flush..."
A power steering flush is when you clean out the old fluid from the power steering system and put in new fluid. This keeps the steering system working smoothly.
A power steering flush involves removing old fluid from the power steering system and replacing it with new fluid. This helps maintain the system's performance and longevity by preventing contamination and wear.
"...they haven't done a transmission service and they haven't flushed the brake fluid every 24 months..."
A transmission service is when you change the fluid and filter in the car's transmission. This helps the car shift gears properly and can prevent problems later.
A transmission service typically includes changing the transmission fluid and replacing the filter. This service is crucial for ensuring the transmission operates smoothly and can prevent costly repairs down the line.
"...great tool to have with you so you can verify tire size because when the vehicle goes for safety the fellas in the shop have to check that and record it..."
Tire size is how big a tire is. It includes numbers that tell you how wide the tire is and how tall it is, which helps make sure it fits your car properly.
Tire size refers to the dimensions of a tire, which are crucial for ensuring proper fitment and performance on a vehicle. It includes aspects like width, aspect ratio, and diameter, which affect handling, ride comfort, and safety.
"...and also record all the tread depth then I'm going to tell you how you can check it yourself..."
Tread depth is how deep the grooves are in a tire. Deeper grooves help the tire grip the road better, especially when it's wet, so it's important to check how deep they are to see if the tire is still good.
Tread depth is the measurement of the depth of the grooves in a tire's tread. It is important for traction, especially in wet conditions, and is a key factor in determining whether a tire is safe to use.
"...so tread wear look at the tires do they have edges where if you run your hand along the treaded surface they kind of grab your hand that's called feathering..."
Tread wear is how much the rubber on your tires has worn down over time. If the tread is too low, it can be dangerous to drive because the tires won't grip the road well.
Tread wear refers to the gradual reduction of the tire tread depth due to driving. It's important to monitor tread wear to ensure proper traction and safety on the road.
"...the outside treaded area towards the side of the tire is smooth and the sipes they run horizontally not vertically..."
Sipes are tiny cuts in the tire tread that help the tires grip the road better, especially when it's wet. They help prevent slipping.
Sipes are small slits or grooves in the tire tread that help improve traction, especially in wet or slippery conditions. They allow the tire to flex and grip the road better.
"...tire treads run as you're looking at a tire from the side tire treads are vertical the siping is horizontal..."
Tire tread is the rubber part of the tire that touches the ground. It helps your car grip the road and affects how well your car drives.
Tire tread refers to the part of the tire that makes contact with the road. The design and depth of the tread affect traction, handling, and overall performance.
"...what the tire wear looks like so if I see cupping feathering or smooth edges where the outboard and inboard tread sipes are worn down then I got an alignment issue..."
Tire wear is how the rubber on your tires wears down over time. It can show if your car is aligned correctly or if there are other problems with the vehicle.
Tire wear refers to the condition of the tire tread, which can indicate various issues with alignment or suspension. Common types of tire wear include cupping, feathering, and uneven wear patterns.
"...if I see cupping feathering or smooth edges where the outboard and inboard tread sipes are worn down then I got an alignment issue so that's another expense okay that's number three..."
An alignment issue means your car's wheels aren't lined up properly. This can cause your tires to wear out unevenly and make your car harder to steer.
An alignment issue occurs when the wheels of a vehicle are not parallel to each other or perpendicular to the ground. This can lead to uneven tire wear and affect handling and safety.
"...visual wear and tear on the inside and the outside of the vehicle why is this important so interior exterior aesthetics..."
Visual wear and tear is how your car looks inside and out. It includes any scratches, dents, or broken parts that might need fixing.
Visual wear and tear refers to the observable condition of a vehicle's interior and exterior, including any damage or deterioration that may affect its appearance and functionality.
"...the engine cooled down and the engine bay cooled down so that's important lenses for the lights..."
The engine bay is the area under the hood of a car where the engine is located. It's important for keeping the engine cool and for repairs.
The engine bay is the compartment in a vehicle where the engine is housed. It's designed to allow for cooling and access to engine components for maintenance.
"...even when I used to go looking at muscle cars to buy off of people..."
Muscle cars are fast cars that usually have big engines. They became popular a long time ago because they are fun to drive and look cool.
Muscle cars are high-performance vehicles, typically American, known for their powerful engines and aggressive styling. They gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s for their speed and performance.
"...it's going to need a set of tires so put some winter tires on it..."
Winter tires are special tires made to help cars drive better in snowy and icy conditions. They are designed to grip the road better when it's cold outside.
Winter tires are specially designed to provide better traction and handling in cold weather conditions, including snow and ice. They are made from softer rubber compounds that remain flexible in low temperatures.
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Good morning Niagara, you're tuned into car connection where the coffee's hot, the tools
are ready and the talk is always tuned up.
I'm your host, Niall Motormouth Jenkins, coming to you straight from the car connection
workshop, yes, where we mix a little humor, a little know-how and a whole lot of horsepower.
Here it's not just about fixing cars, it's about keeping you rolling, saving you money
and giving you the confidence to understand what's under that hood.
From the classics to the commuters, the weird noises to the what the heck moments,
we've got you covered. So grab your coffee, if you're just sliding through the drive-through,
double check your order, get it locked down in your cup holder, sit back, keep an eye on the road
and on the other guy and join the Motormouth crew this morning because this is car connection.
Your Saturday morning pit stop for stories, smarts and a few good laughs and I'm Niall
Motormouth Jenkins and we're shifting into drive this morning. Let me tell you, we are fired up.
Absolutely, car connections brought to you by Crystal Ridge Dream Center, that's right,
that's our faith-based, non-profit organization serving men, women and children, meals, love
and hope, changing lives one at a time in the Niagara region. In times when community support
is crucial, Crystal Ridge Dream Center shines as a beacon of compassion and transformation.
You can visit them on our website, all our program partners are there, click on their logos,
on our homepage and it'll open their profile page. Car connection brought to you by City Auto
Sales and Leasing, low mileage quality vehicles at fair prices. GTA's Greater Toronto Area's
premier pre-owned auto store for over 25 years. Buy with confidence, be treated with nothing less
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and Louise Grant, let them know that I sent you. Car connection brought to you by Rainbow Motors
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Ramiz Shinuna, the brothers and let them know what specific vehicle you're looking for. They do carry
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our car lots that we're connected with, they have a lot of resources to hunt that vehicle down
like a bad donkey and make sure that you're getting a quality vehicle at a fair price.
Sales and service, you can trust. You can buy there, buy a vehicle there and have it service
there. They service all years, makes and models up to and including light commercial vehicles.
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and Larry Tietro, combine a 50 years experience working with IG Wealth Management and investment
portfolios, debt retirement, estate planning, wills and powers of attorney, mortgages, life insurance,
critical insurance, critical illness insurance and that's all available to you for a discovery
meeting. So if you have investments with the bank, you want to get them out of there because you're
just getting a ziploc bag of profits and the bank is just taking buckets of cash out of your money.
So check in with them. I've been working with Tony Miele and Larry Tietro for over 20 years.
They've been a part of car connection since 2007, allowing you to get time with them
to talk about your goals and dreams, issues regarding those areas that I just spoke about
and they're willing to give you an hour of their time. They don't need any more clients,
trust me, that's their own words. They're busy, busy fellows. They're two of the best of the best
certified financial planning professionals in all of Canada and you'll never hear them say that
because they're both very, very humble fellows and they're willing to give you that discovery
meeting we have always nicknamed the hour and the coffee. So you can meet by Zoom
at their office in St. Catharines. You can go to a coffee shop, imagine that, or they'll come to your
home or just by phone. Whatever you're comfortable with, you don't never take financial advice,
especially from someone who's not standing where you want to be. So get that hour and a coffee.
It's complimentary to you, no sales gimmicks, no condemnation, nothing. They're going to listen
more than talk to figure out how they could best help you with your needs.
Car connection also brought to you by Niagara Block at 5,000 Montrose Road, Niagara Falls,
building Canada since 1931. Building materials, hardscape landscaping materials. If you're looking
to create an amazing backyard oasis this year in 2026, then you need to connect with the Greenville
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are in the contracting business that can help you to create that backyard space. And you know what's
important is to work with the right team that takes all your vision in mind and creates an amazing
space where you can just relax, unwind, and get some west and we waxation. Exactly. And I have that
space and it took a number of years to get there. But you know what? I just love it the summertime.
I go to the space, have a cup of coffee, and just sit there and listen to the birds and the sounds
of nothingness. Or read a book and have a nice cup of coffee. It's amazing. Car connection brought
to you by Total Freedom Darien Center, New York, and Total Freedom Sydney, Manitoba, Canada. That
help all age groups. Men, women, young adults break free from addictions and get a new life.
Because a new life awaits you there. It's not a program, they're campuses. And the campus in
Sydney, Manitoba, Canada is a men only. Total Freedom Darien Center, New York is men and women
US and Canadian residents. So if you or somebody you know is really seriously upside down and
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They think they can fix it on their own. And when they come unglued, you know what? They lash out
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A man convinced against his will is of his own opinion still. Period. Not a comment.
They have to get to that point where they want to be there. And that's when Total Freedom takes over.
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And we come alongside as Car Connection and have for a long time with these two campuses
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Motor Mouth merchandise store on the homepage of our website at carconnectionbusinessnetwork.com.
And I put all that information, all the links, contact information, how to connect with our
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that information in the description of every one of these podcasts and every single YouTube video
that we put out. Because when you purchase merchandise to be a part of the Car Connection
Motor Mouth crew, proceeds go to those campuses at Total Freedom in the US and Canada to help those
who are ready and saying, yes, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get out of this
addiction mess I've gotten myself into and move forward with a brand new life and a brand new
vision, especially right now. What are we at? Day two, three? It'll be three. Yes, this is three
of a brand spank a new year. So would you do that? Would you consider doing that?
Purchasing some car connection merch and knowing that you are helping someone who's not able to
help themselves to get to where the help is to move them forward in 2026. Well, let's have a
swiggy together this morning. If you're just joining us for the very first time, welcome aboard.
Glad to have you here. Thank you for making us a part of your morning drive wherever you are.
We've made it to the weekend. Yippee! Exactly. It's Saturday. Yes, it is. Gotta get some stuff done.
So here's how we do it. We can't cram each other in cram together into the Car Connection Workshop.
Other than that, this is the best way I know how, but it would be fun to see how many
car connection fans we could cram into the Car Connection Workshop without spilling our beverage.
Wouldn't that be cool? So on three, two, one, raise your special cup of morning beverage and
let's have a swiggy together. You ready? Three, two, one. I'm having hot water and you may ask why.
Well, I'm still battling this cold, but I think I've got a recipe that I've looked up in my
natural herbal book that ought to knock this thing out into the rhubarb patch.
Because it comes and goes and you hack and you hack and you hack and there's nothing.
So why hack? Yeah, and then I get plugged up and then go through Kleenexes like nothing.
So if that's you, I feel for you. Well, I got a really good program for you today. And if you've
missed, we just had a big celebration. We had our 50th episode in series one. And we're doing six
programs a week for you Monday through Saturday so that we can reach as many people as possible.
And if you haven't, if you're just tuning in, you're going to want to go back
through all the podcasts that we have, because there's a ton of gold nuggets there for you to
save thousands of dollars in car repairs heading forward into a brand new year. So make it a brand
new day being part of car connection. And as I mentioned already on our homepage, all our links
are there for all the platforms that we're involved in and you can be part of those platforms
and dedicate and commit and be part of the crew pushing us forward into 2026.
Because we want our YouTube channel to get monetized. Same with our podcast
so that we can reach out into the community even more and more. Our YouTube channel is designed
to teach you the basic fundamentals of vehicle automotive service and repairs, the things that
you can simply understand and get a better knowledge of. So you learn the five things,
what it is, where it is, how it works, how it breaks, and what could you have known and done
better as a vehicle owner to prevent excessive wear and tear that's costing you thousands
and thousands of dollars. The last video I just did was five things, five things that you're not
doing that's costing you thousands of dollars. Five common maintenance mistakes
costing drivers thousands of dollars and those are the kinds of things that I put together
also on YouTube. And the other reason for YouTube and vision for the channel is not
only to help those going through addictions but also to build a muscle car one per year,
offer it up, buy a ticket for a chance to win it and we take out the net
cost to build that machine, set it aside so we can buy another one and build another one
for the following year and the profit's going to non-profit faith-based organizations helping
people all around our own backyard here in the entire Niagara region. That was my vision. That
is the reason why, main reason, I got off radio this year in 2025 after 31 years with our car
connection live call-in automotive program and now we're in car connection next gen 2.0 and with
your help we can see those visions through because I don't need any more shiny things.
You know, I've collected stuff over the years and you know what, how much stuff do we really need?
You know, it just takes up gray matter honestly, honestly. You know, there's a couple of vehicles
personally I would like to accomplish and it doesn't mean I want to put them into a car
collection because I am unloading, I've unloaded a lot being in the car business all my life and
being licensed tech since 1988. I just have a passion for cars and I have a passion for the
people that have a passion for cars because it brings, cars seem to bring us all together
and I've said this before, take a, let's say a 63 Corvette, split window, park it in the
middle of a cornfield that's already been cleared so the corn's been harvested. Just leave it there.
Come back in an hour, see how many people have spotted it and they're standing around it looking
at it. It vehicles draw people together and I love car shows for that reason. I love meeting the
people that have built the cars that have a passion for them and I really enjoy hearing the
backstory because it is a labor of love. I like hearing about barn finds and people who have
cars stuffed away, piled boxes all over them, they finally decided to find the next caregiver that
won't just take it and turn it into trash but actually love on it and bring it back to life
and rescue it. Just like we're showing you in our YouTube videos, we rescued a 1997, yeah I know I
should get a hammer and hit my head with it, be less painful than a cinder block, yeah just ask
David Grimo at Niagara Block, would a hammer hurt more or less than a cinder block banging my head
against the block versus whacking myself in the head with a hammer? So we rescued a 1997
Jeep TJ Wrangler, a little red one from a wrecking yard in the Niagara on the lake area. We were in
this truck yard with highway coaches, transport trucks, trailers and mega house trailers and
I was we were in there harvesting parts for a car hauler that we're working on for outdoor
adventure men for Christ. That's an organization that gets single fathers with their kids
doing archery and fishing derbies, it's amazing and they're building it, putting a kitchen in there
so they can do more events so anyways we're harvesting parts and I got the lead through
David Grimo at Niagara Block said you need to go see my friend George so long story short,
I'm in there we got a whole pile of parts, we made a struck up relationship with George
and I'm wandering around and I feel like a little stick in this yard because everything is huge
and it's every which way from Sunday like it's everything's not all parked
chock-a-block if you know what I mean it's this way that way and one over there and this one's
tied in with that one it's like how does stinky movement here and I turn a corner around a 53 foot
transport truck trailer and go hello what are you doing here there's this little red
deep tj with the hood open and I could hear it crying and going help me it sucks to be here
so it was early spring I think it was around late April
so I get into the mud on my back in my work jacket check the frame front to back and I go
yeah we could do something with wouldn't this be cool if we could get to sing back on the road in
30 days well we almost pulled it off and I'll leave the rest of the story to you because
we're almost finished with it and it's been an amazing ride being able to video and show you
how you can bring something back to life showing you all the basics all the neglect that cost that
vehicle to go to the wrecking yard and we saved it from going to the crusher so there's a great
story backstory and a lot of learning going on there in these videos all right up today you're
ready for it attention use car buyers here you go this one is for you these are some mega
golden nuggets for you that will save you a lot of headache and a lot of heartache and I did a
series already on podcast here on iHeart and all platforms so if anyone you know is looking to tie
in with our podcast we are on all platforms apple amazon you name it just type car connection
workshop in the search bar bam you'll get all the podcasts so I did a series on how to buy a used car
and then I thought I'd like to take that a little bit further to help you more because not all of
you are going to you know if you're buying a private sale vehicle you got to be sharper
than a fifth grader let me tell you because a lot of people will not tell you the truth
the whole story about the vehicle and here's a big clue if they're talking too much you
ought to be sell smelling what they're selling so that means you need to when when I run into that
and I'm buying picking up something because I used to buy and sell
all the time because people ask me can you find me this can you find me that can you find me this
so if I found a goodie is what I'd call it and say you know we just really got to put some aesthetics
in this clean it up inside you know aside from six industrial garbage bags it'll clean up pretty
quick on the inside and some mechanicals and then it's a good car again for somebody use
as a second ride or a third ride or a spare car or something for a son or daughter they're going
to be toodling the school and back or to part-time job and back so I thought how can I better help
you even more so if their lips are moving way too much you again you should be smelling what they're
selling and really look that vehicle over tight even the even the ladies the older ladies you
know that only drove it to Sunday Sunday church yeah keep an eye there's slicksters I'm just kidding
it's true here it is used car buyers seven maintenance red flags to check before you throw
your cash down and take that sucker home because as I always say it could be lipstick on a pig
or a skunk in a mink coat but when you throw the money down you take it home there's no lemon
law in Canada sorry to tell you but that's in the US of A we do not have a lemon law here in Canada
and we don't have we have curbsiders that are buying and selling junk and they most of the time they
are lipstick on a pig and a skunk and a mink coat and they're just looking to make a quick buck and
get to the next one get that sheet metal rubber gone so I want to start out just simply first
it's not one of the seven but it is one that you need to ask for right up front so you don't waste
any time let's cut to the chase right exactly you'll want to see the vehicle title and you want to
see if it is labeled see if I got that handy here I just did a podcast on that too was
um I didn't want to make sure brand it that's the term top left corner of the front of the ownership
if it says if it says where it says the word brand in the top left corner if it says irreparable
salvage or rebuilt you want to tread lightly irreparable means you can buy it but you can't
put it on the Ontario roads salvage means just that um it's parts it's a parts car
thirdly rebuilt means that it's had a wreck it's been it was deemed repairable it's been repaired
but it still has to be certified not just mechanically but also structurally by someone
who's licensed to do that to check that vehicle over verify that it hasn't been just puttied up
and uh they you know they've welded where welded metal in on framework and structural components
that you're not supposed to heat and I've seen this done I watched it and I I'm looking at this guy
and I'm going uh should you be heating up that box channel oh yeah it'll be all right I go well
if this vehicle gets hit again that thing will crumple up like Reynolds foil oh well that's out
of our hands by then but we'll make it straight so he's heating up a channel of frame on the driver's
side just to the left of the engine so if you're sitting in the seat you got the steering wheel
the framework that goes right past you was crumpled up like an accordion and he was heating it and
they were pulling it with pneumatics heating it and pulling it he's taken all the tensile out of
that metal so if you hit that car if you hit something else guess what happens that frame is
going to crumple up in split seconds and the engine's going to be visiting your lap but this is what's
going on out there so make sure you check the title immediately before you go any further
because if you have any one of those three brands in the top left hand corner of the ownership call
it a day that is a mega it's not a red flag that is a flair get the heck out of dodge don't touch it
no matter what they say don't touch it because a lot of insurance companies will go
we won't insure it so you got to know that ahead of time rebuilders are okay in my opinion if they're
done right i have known a couple of shops that i would trust to get a rebuilder off of them because
they don't buy the stuff that it's really going to be structurally structurally not sound anymore
or safe but they're available and they buy them up and they tweak them up and then
you know what it's a piece of danger so just stay away from it so that's that's the first
thing you're going to do when you get to the car you want to see the ownership and you want also
at the same time you want to make sure that the name that's on the ownership is the person that's
standing talking to you because if it's a curbsider they will have bought the vehicle
and they haven't transferred the ownership into their own name that's why they call them curbsiders
they're just flipping it they're flippers like house flippers not to disrespect anybody but
you know curbsiders they're flippers so that's the other reason you want to see the title the
ownership see make sure it's not branded and make sure the person you're talking to is the
person that's on the ownership if it's not you can say how come your name isn't on the ownership
and then shut up and listen listen for this story and if it's this it's going to be a story
get the heck out of there because he's a flipper he hasn't done it right it's not in his name
he picked it up from whoever's name is on there and he's just done whatever to it and he's flipping
it out so he didn't have to pay any tax on it okay all right let's move on first and foremost
the tool you're going to need for this red flag to determine if it is a red flag and I guarantee
you it is we're going to check all the fluids you are you're going to check them so you know what
you need some white paper towels that's your tool we're going to check engine engine oil
power steering transmission fluid and brake fluid okay first of all pull the dipstick out for the
oil wipe it clean then make sure that the second time you're going to place it back in pull it
back out and wipe it on the paper towel and have a look to see if you can see any metal
particles in that oil and if you if you sort of see something you don't want to see milky you don't
want to see like uh some of my a couple of my friends they uh they like a little coffee with
their cream if you know what I'm saying yeah you don't want to see that you don't want to see
crunchies in it and you want to see a nice you want to see a nice clear golden oil if it's really
really black smell it if it smells like gas it's been in there way too long secondly if you pull
the dipstick out and it the oil is so clean it should be illegal they've done a quick oil change
for that specific reason but we're going to catch them we're going to catch them
so if they've just done the oil change I guarantee you they haven't done a power steering flush
they haven't done a transmission service and they haven't flushed the brake fluid every 24 months
so we're going to head to the power steering reservoir you're going to do the same thing
with your paper towel your white paper towel you're going to take a sample
pull the dipstick tube out it's usually integral part with the lid on the power steering reservoir
and put some on the paper towel even if you have to put your finger down in there and get
some on your finger and if it's black and it's not opaque clear or red then it needs to be serviced
so there's a there's money out of your pocket right there we're going to do the same thing
with the transmission oil engine doesn't need to be running here we're just looking for the sample
pull the dipstick tube out for the transmission if it's a sealed unit there's not much you can
do about that but if you check the other fluids that's why I say we can catch them somewhere
so pull the dipstick tube out for the transmission oil and put some of that oil on your clean spot
on your paper towel and look at it right off the stick so get a drip hanging on the end of
the dipstick and don't be intimidated by buddies standing there gawking at you your this is your
money that you're going to throw down on this you want to make sure how much maintenance you're
going to be paying for to catch up so if that transmission fluid is black it's burnt so two
things transmission has not had a service in a gajillion bazillion years and or the transmission
may be an upcoming problem because of that wear and tear you know transmission fluid doesn't
last forever it is not maintenance free it is a high ticket item five thousand and dollars and up
up to replace that transmission or rebuild it or get an exchange you got to keep that in mind
so with the oils black and dirty and even smell it if it smells burnt then it's burnt if it's
dark it's burnt it's oxidized it needs a full blown transmission flush gasket filter if equipped
as a service move over to the brake fluid i take the lid off what's really good is if you take a
popsicle stick or a skirt stick with you so you can just poke that in there and get a sample out
onto your paper towel same thing here's what you're looking for if that brake fluid doesn't
look like apple so apple juice very you know kind of a not an apple juice that's dark like
apple cider vinegar right no it should be clear but with a little hue to it if it's black if it
doesn't have a clear hue and when you put a sample on the paper towel it's dark then the whole
braking system has never had a brake fluid flush now that's going to be your job okay so that's
number one all those things all seven of these things add up to you're going to be spending
money to bring up the repair level on that vehicle that hasn't been done by anybody else it's going to
you when you throw the money down and buy it it's going to be you not the person you're getting it
from so take your time on this number two ask for any and all maintenance records yep they look at
you like a deer in the headlights look then that means they don't have any and it's coming wait for
it uh I don't have any maintenance record why not that's the next question why not and listen
and if they're starting to talk too much then they're probably a curbsider
maintenance records I want all maintenance records I can get my hands on period if not
that is a red flag humongous red flag because there it means there's tons of work to get that
vehicle back up to par that you are going to be dropping cash for number three do all four tires
match are they all the same is there two different ones on the back than the front then you got a
vehicle that doesn't track well that's why we buy tires and set in a full set of four so the vehicle
has same traction same performance on all four corners that's an easy look easy right look easy
are all four tires the same is the size correct we have phones now so you can say I won't say it
because you'll probably answer me because my phone's here you know hello blah blah blah
what tire size should be on blah blah blah blah blah and you're going to get it very quickly so
there you go great tool to have with you so you can verify tire size because when the vehicle
goes for safety the fellas in the shop have to check that and record it and also record
all the tread depth then I'm going to tell you how you can check it yourself you need a penny
that's the easiest one that I found for many years to teach anybody is a good old-fashioned
Canadian penny shiny as possible I happened to dig one out here this morning it's from it's pretty
shiny from 2005 it was in my parking meter in the shop yeah I have a parking meter I got from
Rhode Island and it works and I have keys for it so I put the pennies in there that's what I do when
I pull in cars apart I find pennies and nickels and corroded this and that change so you need a
Canadian penny that's your tool here how do you know whether the tires have the right amount of
tread left to pass the safety or they're pretty much bologna skins this is going to tell you so you
take the penny into the tire tread with the queen's head facing you straight up and down so what you're
looking for is you want to see less of the queen's crown and head as possible when you place that into
the tread and do that across all the tread slots in the tire okay all the slots and look at what
the queen's head is telling you so what I want to see is very little
of the queen's crown and the top of her head the more of it you can see the less those tires have
so if you can actually see the entire top of the queen's head
those tires are done you have 330 seconds of tread left they're done so that's your tool
right there nice shiny find one somewhere ask someone and gee hey do you have any pennies
and then you just see can I have this that's your tool so again you plop it into the tread
starting with the outside measure it go to the next one measure it go to the next one measure it
and you can do this very quickly so you want to see as less as possible of the queen's top of the
top of the queen's head if you can see the top of the queen's head with that penny in the tread
then that's telling you that tire is going to need to be replaced and go through all four
exactly the same way and again don't be intimidated by the person that owns the car
it's your money you're slapping down it's your money
okay so tread wear look at the tires do they have edges where if you run your hand along the
treaded surface they kind of grab your hand that's called feathering the other one is the outside
treaded area towards the side of the tire is smooth and the sipes they run
horizontally not vertically tire treads run as you're looking at a tire from the side
tire treads are vertical the siping is horizontal those are the the grooves on the outside of
the tire and the same on the inside the inside might be a bit tough for you to see but that's
where I start the car up and I swing the tires fully right to the stop so I can see the inboard
portion of the tire and I do that for both front tires to see what the tire wear looks like so if
I see cupping feathering or smooth edges where the outboard and inboard tread sipes are worn down
then I got an alignment issue so that's another expense okay that's number three number five
visual wear and tear on the inside and the outside of the vehicle why is this important so
interior exterior aesthetics I look through the interior I'm looking for things missing
broken open the glove box open the armrest thingy because most of the times that'll be
nicely nestled but it's broken you lift it up and it like either comes off in your hand
or it's about ready to come off that's an expense rear cup holder is broken that's what you're
looking you're looking for that little stuff and I'm going to tell you why in a minute because
they're clues is there any panels inside the vehicle cracked broken or missing
you're looking for damage you're looking for damage that is not normal wear and tear
it's breakage because of neglect so then you're going to go to the outside walk the whole thing
is the front air dam there underneath the front bumper yeah that plastic thing is not there just
for giggles it's there it's called an air dam and a lot of people because they think they you know
they got to squish the car right into the parking space they hit the parking
concrete thingy that rips it right off it needs to be there so if it's broken missing or other
it needs to be there the direct airflow to get the engine cooled down all those air dam pieces
are there for a reason because we don't have great big grills like we used to
and we have under hood temperatures that are hot enough now to bake muffins
and it's excessive heat and the air dams are designed to get the heat away from the engine
get the engine cooled down and the engine bay cooled down so that's important lenses for the lights
parking lights are there any cracked broken or missing have you got a discolored headlight lens
are they yellow write it down because if they we can't buff them out they're no good to you
that's money trim pieces any trim pieces missing these are all important pieces and now i'm going
to tell you why if they're if they weren't willing to take care of the little things
what do you think about the big maintenance ticket items
nah they they haven't spent any money anywhere no matter how long they're talking so buddy's
still chatting your ear off keep looking keep looking because it's a lipstick with on a pig
skunking them in coat so again inside i see a bunch of stuff broken
un not fixed not taken care of and i find some stuff on the outside then you know what i can be
prepared i got to get prepared if i really really got to have it because it's the last car on the
face of the planet you're going to be hit with some big maintenance to get that vehicle back up to
snuff as i always say to people somewhere sometime someone is going to have to pay the piper
so is it going to be you that's why i developed this seven maintenance red flags to check before
you throw your cash down number six do you see any other items broken and not fixed or not replaced
again anywhere on the vehicle under the hood specifically on this one open the lid
open the power barn and let's have a really good look stuff items missing not fixed or not replaced
that's usually a really big indicator too huge these are all huge
and number number seven which is a wrap up to the other six is a reminder if the small repairs
and maintenance has not been getting done guess what a megalist of maintenance is waiting for
that next person that buys it that's a deal breaker right there every single one of those
seven items will cost you a fortune if you buy that vehicle on a motion color etc even when i
used to go looking at muscle cars to buy off of people you know that they most of the time they
call me can you come and look or so so and so ask me if i can find a buyer for this i go through it
exactly the same way i have a clipboard and a pen and a spare so i can evaluate that vehicle
all the way around and then i do my homework to see what it's going to take to get that vehicle to
a saleable picture whether i decide i'm gonna i'm fixing it for myself or i'm gonna fix it
and offer it up to someone to take it the rest of the way i'll do most of it but i won't do all of
it and i'll be up front with so i i evaluate so this is a quick seven step red flag maintenance
check before you put your money down and you own that automobile and you get home you get it to your
service tech and you got a list as long as your left leg in fact i have that right on my talk table
here the vehicles in my driveway and at the end of the day it was uh it was gifted to us and uh we
fixed it all up but it was a wreck it had a list as long as your left leg and i looked up what it
was actually worth it was $933 on a trade in okay but it needed $1,200 worth of parts labor was my
own so decided to rescue it and uh it's going to be a good vehicle for us because uh it's a good
it's a gas miser but it is not a highly recommended vehicle by any means with my research
but i learned about a dozen shortcomings on that vehicle so now i know what i need to pay close
super close attention to all the time if you want to get some decent mileage out of it but it it runs
on pretty much farts in a jar it runs really really well but there are some issues with it
and one of them being the style of transmission it's a CVT and we'll talk about transmissions later
but here's the case where what it needed to fix it far exceeded the curbside what it was worth
way above we're talking if you were to pay for all the repairs that i did
and pay the labor you'd be looking at probably close to 4605 grand in labor
yeah because it still needs now it's got to have an alignment and it's got to have a safety check now
safety inspector and it's going to need a set of tires so put some winter tires on it
and get through the winter and then deal with the summies later on so that's how i look at stuff too
like that vehicle's it's neat it's tidy it was dirty but i would give it a a six out of ten
prior to all the work time but if that was curbside
yeah i don't know i don't know if i'd walk away with it or not i would have to say
knowing what its shortcomings are the CVT transmission is not a winner
you got to stay on that big time
because they're belt driven so if you're not big on doing a transmission service
that isn't the vehicle for you no because they tend to go bad that was not that's number one
number two is some of the rust areas and it does have rust in those areas the other one was coolant issues
uh
cabin air filter issues i can't remember right off the top of my head if what
there was like 12 things that i came up with oh one was uh infotainment center
is a problem it capoots yep it poo-poo's so if that's a big deal for you it's a big deal right
it's a big deal um yeah so do your homework so i've said before give me the worst the worst of the
best out there i'll do that research and find out what is this particular vehicle known for
that puts it on i suck list and uh then you got to make the decision if i'm willing to step up
the maintenance in those specific areas and put my best foot forward and stay ahead of the curve
you can make it you can make it to you might not make it to the 600 k club but you'll get a few
hundred mile uh hundred kilometers out of it maybe two three hundred from what i researched on
this specific vehicle it it it starts to go south around the 200 k mark somewhere around 150 to 200
k so i'm on it i'm on it and uh we'll rescue it and we'll take it as far as we can take it
and uh move it out but uh 933 dollars was the trade-in value for that specific model year make
model and year doesn't leave you a whole lot of room to say it's got a lot of value right that's
what i'm saying doesn't have a lot of value or doesn't so when you're going to look at a pre-owned
vehicle do your homework like i just did hey is this thing worthy what are some of the pitfalls
what are some of the pattern failures what should i be aware of to look out for and what do i have
to do to get through those over those hurdles to get it to a mileage that would give me return
on my investment got it good excellent so to connect with me it's simple our website is the
biggest drawer in our toolbox car connection toolbox that's called the homepage of our website
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toothbrush you'll eventually get there so until next time have fun happy healthy motoring and
happy new year for all those just joining us for the very first time let's make it the best year
ever and work together as a community and as a family here in the car connection workshop be
part of what we do and we really appreciate any and all encouragement because it's a car
connection has been a vision since 1996 to help as many people as we can wherever they can whatever
walk of life they're at and do it and smile and enjoy one another peace patience kindness that's
how we should live our lives so happy healthy motoring keep it under 100 watch out for the other
guy and put that coffee on because we're going to come to your home bye for now
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