You might think that buying used cars in Kentucky is not much different than buying used cars elsewhere. In many ways you are correct; however, it is important to realize that many Kentuckians drive their cars and trucks differently than those living in other states because of the jobs, weather patterns, and terrain that cars in Kentucky are uniquely exposed to. For instance, cars that spend years in Kentucky are exposed to an ever-changing climate and terrain, which means the typical Kentucky car owner likely demands more of their vehicle than someone living in southern California would, for instance. Because Kentucky cars and trucks may be pushed harder than those in other states, it is important to thoroughly understand the vehicle’s history before taking it off someone else’s hands.

This is part one of a series of articles discussing items to take into consideration when buying KY used cars. This article focuses on what you will spend the most time directly experiencing as a car owner: the interior.

Ask yourself these six questions when evaluating your next KY used car:

How does it smell? The smell of a car’s interior can indicate a lot about the car owner and potential problems with the car. A damp or moldy smell might indicate that the car has a leak (in the windshield, weatherstripping or heater core) and was not garage-kept (or at least has been parked outside for a long time). A smoky smell would indicate that the owner or one of their close friends or relatives smoked in the vehicle repeatedly. Smoking can cause damage to the interior such as yellowing the fabric or clouding the windows.

What does the brake pedal look like? A warn brake pedal will indicate that the car has been used a lot, especially around a town or city (not on the highway). A warn brake pedal can oftentimes be a better overall indicator of the car’s wear and tear than the odometer can communicate.

What does the dashboard look like? If the portion of the dashboard that is exposed to light is a different color than the portion of the dashboard that is not exposed to natural light, then this may indicate that the KY used car has spent a majority of its time parked outside, in the sun.

Check for leaks Sunroofs can be a great feature – if they don’t leak. Make sure to test the security of the sunroof by spraying water over the used car’s sunroof. If the roof leaks, you’ve just improved your ability to negotiate a reduced price.

What does the driver’s seat and steering wheel look like? Take a look at the driver’s seat and steering wheel: do they show signs of wear and tear? If they are warn out, this will communicate that the driver has spent a lot of time in the vehicle (or, perhaps more accurately, getting in and out of the vehicle, which would suggest a lot of stop-and-go trips – not good).

What do the floor mats and interior carpet look like? Many used car sellers will try to fool potential buyers by buying new floor mats; don’t be a victim of this tactic. Make sure to lift up any and all floor mats and inspect the shape that the vehicle’s carpet is in. A used car or truck’s carpet can help you spot a leak, so take heed of these clues.

We hope this list of questions can help you. Feel free to print this list out and refer to it the next time you are looking to buy a used car.

Keep your eyes open for part two of our series on buying KY used cars, which will be on what to look and listen for when it comes to evaluating the engine.