Car safety features to look out for when buying a used car

By Roderick Tolentino

Buying a car is the biggest single expenditure most people will incur after buying or building a house.

Buying a car is more than just checking out how it looks and the engine’s power. It also involves finding out how safe it is for you and your passengers. That is why it is essential to go over the safety features of your potential vehicle thoroughly and to ask a professional if you see or think something is amiss.

Not sure what to watch out for? We have you covered. Here are a few safety features to look for when buying a car:

Seatbelts

A vehicle without a seat belt is just asking for trouble. Countless people have lost their lives because they didn’t bother putting on their seat belts before driving off.
It may not look it, but a seat belt can save your life if you somehow find yourself in a car accident, and prevent you from going through your windshield. Look for functioning seat belts in a car you are planning to purchase and look at something else if you don’t see it.

Airbags

Air bags are designed to cushion your body when you crash. That way, you can escape significant
injuries, both external and internal. Ask the dealer about the airbags in a particular vehicle and if it
works or not. It is also a good idea to do your own research about the car’s airbag features and how effective it has been.

If you’re shopping for a family vehicle, then you should choose a car with side airbags to ensure a safer ride with your family.

Head injury protection

Your brain is a vital organ. If anything happens to it, you are as good as dead. Luckily, some modern vehicles have a head injury protection feature that can prevent serious head injuries.

These often consist of head airbags that are designed to deploy in case of a rollover or a side impact and foam hidden under the trim of the car’s interior.

Anti Lock brake system

Have you ever experienced having to slam on the brakes because of an ill-timed swerve by another vehicle on the road? Doing this can be dangerous as it can quickly lock up your wheels and prevent you from staying in control of your car.

But if your car has an anti-lock brake system, you can prevent it from doing that. What it does is allow you to stay in control of the vehicle when you absolutely need to slam on the brakes as needed.

Electronic stability control

Finally, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a safety feature that can help prevent car crashes. When the ESC detects that your car is spinning out or plowing out, it applies the brake to a single wheel. Doing this can help slow down the vehicle and thus prevent you from getting into a crash.

It is important to note that the name differs from each car brand and model, and it pays to do your research about the car beforehand to find out what a particular model calls this feature.

These are just some of the many safety features that can be found in modern cars. So, remember to look for these in the vehicle you want to take home for your family.

Once you’ve set your sights on a new car, you can get a great car finance deal that can help you drive away in your dream car in less than 48 hours.

Reference: Ready AutoGlass & Windshield Repair Lacey.

Roderick Tolentino is a freelance finance writer