Bernat Escolano, salvage yard mechanic: "If you start a second-hand car and it blows white or blue smoke from the exhaust pipe, that's a bad sign and you may have been scammed about the mileage"

Buying a used car can be quite an adventure. We show up to meet the seller and see that the odometer reads a tempting number, the price seems like a bargain, and the vehicle gleams as if it were brand new — but not everything that glitters is gold. Buying a used vehicle can turn into a very negative experience if you don't pay attention to certain key details.

That's what mechanic and salvage yard expert Bernat Escolano tells us — known on social media for posting informative content about motor vehicles. According to the expert, sellers will very likely try to slip us a car with rolled-back mileage, so it's necessary to stay alert and pay attention to every sign.

First, the young man refers to the upholstery: "If an old car looks too perfect, it's because they've touched it up," says Bernat, who insists we shouldn't let ourselves be swayed by what the seller tells us: "If the exhaust pipe makes a strange noise, it's not normal, no matter what they tell you."

Another sign that hints the vehicle has more miles on it than it appears is the smoke it releases when started: "If it releases white or blue smoke, that's a bad sign — it's an engine issue. And if the smoke is black when accelerating, it means the particulate filter or the EGR valve is damaged," the mechanic concludes.

Staying alert to the signs is essential to avoid being scammed, since one of the most common frauds in the used car market is odometer manipulation. Many sellers reduce the number shown on the odometer — an illegal but frequent practice, since a vehicle with lower mileage sells faster and at a higher price.

Checking the car's history and requesting the maintenance booklet: key steps to verify a vehicle's mileage

Knowing this, experts recommend being wary of overly attractive offers and thoroughly reviewing the vehicle's history. Requesting the maintenance booklet, checking the dates and mileage of service records, or requesting an official report from the DGT can provide very important clues. It's also worth looking at the wear on the steering wheel, pedals, and seats, which often reveal heavy use.

Before closing the purchase, it's advisable to visit a trusted workshop. A mechanical inspection can reveal inconsistencies between the vehicle's actual condition and the declared mileage. Furthermore, on some models it is possible to cross-check the mileage stored in different electronic control units, making it harder to conceal any tampering.

Buying a used vehicle, a decision that requires caution

In short, buying a used car doesn't have to be a bad experience, but it does require caution and attention. Doing your research, asking questions, and not getting carried away by bargains can make the difference between a smart purchase and a scam. When it comes to mileage, sometimes the problem isn't how far the vehicle has traveled — it's what they're not telling you.

Helena Ortega