I am trying to buy a car but I don’t know if it is a good one or not

ANSWER : Prior to buying any car, drive the car around and listen for any noises. Then do an inspection on the vehicle to make sure that it is safe to drive. All cars will need maintenance, but if the car was kept up, then the maintenance should be to a minimum.

ANSWER : Hi there. Being able to tell if a vehicle is good or not is not possible by simply looking at a report. Sometimes, repairs are performed by shops that do not report to inspection companies, such as Carfax. There are several variables involved including: was the vehicle driven hard by the previous owner(s), was service performed at the recommended service intervals, was vehicle involved in an accident, are service records available, etc.

I recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, perform a pre-purchase inspection on the vehicle you are looking at.

ANSWER : Hi there. What had happened is the wrong key set the security to the vehicle. This is to prevent the vehicle from starting with the wrong keys. Try removing the battery cables (+) and (-) for 13 minutes. During that time, put the original key in the ignition and turn it on. Activate everything in the car even though there is no power. Then remove the key and hook up the battery cables. The computer should have reset and reset the security. If the security is still being tripped, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you

ANSWER : Of course, don’t switch gears without being fully stopped, unless your Owner’s Manual or the manufacturer has alternative advice. However, the gear shift issue has no relation to the no-start problem you are describing. Inasmuch as you only have 6,000 miles on the car, the "constant on and off" that you believe has occurred is meaningless in comparison to the expected total vehicle service life. That is, assume what you perceive as "constant on and off", during merely 6,000 miles, might be equivalent to using the car "normally" for three years. A new car should be trouble free for at least 5 years, unless there is a defect, so your "constant on and off" is not a causal factor for any fault on the vehicle. What you might have is a defect in the ignition switch, or perhaps the immobilizer system, but if the problem is not in the switch itself, clearly there is an electrical problem.

If your vehicle is under warranty, by law the dealer MUST repair the issue you are describing within a prescribed time frame and number of "attempts", otherwise the dealer will run afoul of Federal and state Lemon Laws that give you very specific rights, and recourse (contact an Attorney; we are Mechanics, NOT attorneys). Consequently, if the vehicle is still under warranty, to save yourself money do be sure to seek a resolution from the dealer. If the vehicle is not under warranty, obviously a certified Mechanic from YourMechanic could identify the electrical fault and resolve this for you. If you want to go that route, please simply request a no start diagnostic -electrical system and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : Hi there:

If you recently replaced your battery, the issue may be caused by a malfunctioning alternator or other electrical component that comprises the charging system on your Nissan Sentra. The best way to find out which item specifically is faulty, is to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection. This will allow the mechanic to determine the precise source of what’s going on with your Sentra and recommend or complete the right repairs.

ANSWER : The control circuit for the fans needs to be checked. For example, there is usually a condenser fan relay in the A/C electrical controls. There could be a fault with that relay and/or wiring problems, perhaps even just a loose connection, blown or loose fuse, and so forth. To resolve something like this, the recommended service is an electrical component diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic service, the responding certified mechanic will get the problem pinpointed and resolved. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : Hello, and thank you for writing in. Your head is in the right place about inspecting the vehicle and doing some research on it. While we can not advise you to buy the car or not, you should do some research on your own, and have done what we call a "pre-purchase inspection". This means a tech will meet you at the vehicle, and inspect it for any signs of damage, or potential repairs you are looking at making up front. What you can do on your own is research any TSBs on the vehicle. These are technician service bulletins that pertain to issues the manufacture knows are going on with that make and model. If there are any serious TSBs that have not been addressed, this may be a cause for concern. The CVT (constant variable transmissions) is one of the newer types on the market, but they seem to be holding up well for those manufactures using them. The vehicle’s lifespan has more to do with how well the car has been maintained. Consider looking up any repair history, so you know what they have or have not maintained. For a pre-purchase inspection, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.

ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Your situation is incredibly unfortunate! Hopefully insurance will help pay for the damages. Pricing is going to vary greatly depending on your location. You are going to want to gather a couple of quotes and compare pricing. The damage done, and the kind of help you have in your area will all effect pricing. If the majority of the damage is inside of the cab, you are looking at having the interior redone. Seats, flooring, electrical components, door panels, window seals, and whatever else would have been damaged will be priced individually for the most part. If engine damage has been done, you will have to do a full diagnosis before obtaining a quote. For more help, or a quote from our technicians, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.