When you purchase a used car, you are buying a car that someone else has owned and driven. As such, with a used car purchase, you want to inspect the vehicle carefully. The inside of the vehicle is where you will be spending all your time, so you want to make sure it is up to your standards. Here are seven interior elements you should check before purchasing a used car.

1. Smell

When you first open the doors of a used car, pay attention to the smell. Breathe in and think about how the car smells to you. The car should have a neutral or new car smell, which shows the car has been cleaned. As such, you may want to think twice about purchasing a car that has a moldy or mildewy smell to it; the car could be leaking water somewhere, causing water damage that is producing the smell you are observing.

If the car has a more acrid smell, be wary as that is usually a sign that a smoker owned the vehicle. That type of smell is hard to get out of the vehicle, so unless you are already planning on having it be detailed, you may want to avoid a car that has a smoking smell.

2. Seats

Second, you are going to want to make sure all the seats are comfortable and work. Start in the driver's seat and try out all the controls to make sure you can adjust the seat. Repeat this process with each seat in the vehicle. You may not sit in all the seats personally yourself, but you want to make sure all the seats work and are comfortable for your passengers.

3. Pedals

Third, check out the pedals for the brake, gas, and clutch if applicable. Check and see how much the rubber is worn down. The wear on the pedals should match the mileage of the car.

4. Roof

Fourth, don't forget to look up when you are inside the car. Ensure the headliner and roof trim aren't sagging or stained, as that is a sign of water damage. If the vehicle has a sunroof, be sure to open and close it to ensure it works properly.

5. Instrument Control

Fifth, you are going to want to check the instruments and controls for the vehicle. Check and see if any warning lights are illuminated, and if so, find out why that is the case. Make sure all the lights on the instrument control work. Try out any switches or controls in the vehicle to ensure that everything works properly, from the windshield wipers to the headlights to the heaters and air conditioners.

6. Sound System

Sixth, be sure to try out the sound system. Check out the AM and PM radio. If the vehicle has satellite radio, try out a few stations. If you can hook up an MP3 player for the sound system, try it out. You want to make sure all the different ways of playing sound work well.

7. Trunk

Finally, don't forget to check out the trunk area. Once again, make sure the trunk air has a good smell and doesn't show signs of water damage. If there is a spare tire, check the equality of it. Make sure the trunk area is big enough for your needs.

When it comes to purchasing a used car, spend some time checking out the interior in-depth. This is where you will be spending all of your time purchasing the car, so make sure everything smells good and works correctly. For more information about used cars, such as used Chevrolet cars for sale, contact a dealer.