inspecting car glass
Why is this important?
Inspecting glass on the car can save
you a lot of money in the long run. Scratches, small dings and cracks can
develop into larger ones rather unexpectedly and quickly, leaving you with the
bill for a new glass and installation. Also, inspecting glass can give you
indications if any of the windows have been replaced.
What to look for?
First thing to look for are any sort of
cracks, dings and scratches on the windshield, as this is the most common
problem area. Pay close attention, especially at the edges. If you see any
cracks, be aware that they might eventually develop into full blown cracks
across the whole windshield. Any dings have potential to start spreading large
and long cracks, so this is something to watch out for too (this makes perfect
negotiation points).
When inspecting the windshield, look
close at the molding. Does it look crooked? Does any molding look like it has
been poorly attached or has been tampered with? If so, these are all signs that
it has been replaced in the past. Look at identifying marks at the edge of the
windshield and compare them to the ones on other windows, or even better to the
ones on another car of the same make/model. Do the same thing for rear and side
windows. Examine the windshield closely for windshield wiper scratches, because
those can get rather annoying over time, especially on a sunny day.
Check if rear window defogger works
properly by turning it on, waiting a few seconds and then carefully touching
each heat elements with your finger to feel if there is heat going through them
(don't burn yourself, though).
Check mirrors and see if they operate properly
if they are power mirrors. Check headlights and see if the glass looks different
from one another too much, this can indicate recent replacement.
If the car has T-tops or targa top,
check for glass integrity and proper seating and sealing.
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