If it is time to get your teenager his or her first car, you should consider purchasing a used one. Safety should be your number one concern when purchasing a car. Some cars are built better than others are which makes them safer on the road.

For example, a very small sports car may not be as safe as a small crossover. Below are the things you should check before you buy the car:

Check for Recalls

A recall is when the government makes the auto manufacturer recall a car due to safety defects. You can check if the used car you are considering has any recalls through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Enter the make, model, and year of your car on this website to find this information. It will not only show you why the vehicle was recalled, but also complaints of owners of this vehicle.

If you find the car on the list, call the dealership to make sure the recall has been fixed. You will need to give them the VIN number (vehicle identification number), which can be found in the user's manual, and they can check their database.

Safety Ratings

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a good place to find safety ratings on vehicles. They determine the safety ratings by testing the cars for roof strength, head restraints, overlap front side, and more. On this website, you can search for the car by make, model, and type.  There is also a list of the current winners on this website.

Seat Belts

Sit in the car and test the seat belts. There should be an adjustable upper belt, which allows the drive to change the position of the strap so it is the most comfortable no matter the size of the person. Check the seat belts in the back seat also to make sure they work properly.

Look in the car's user manual to make sure there is a seat belt pretensioner. This is when the belt tights up during a crash to hold the passenger in. Along with this, the car should also have energy management features. This keeps the pretensioner from pulling too tightly on the passenger, which could cause injury to the shoulder, etc.

These are just some of the safety features a vehicle should have. Also, look for traction control, all-wheel drive, and more. Take the car to a mechanic if you have questions, as they can explain everything to you, and check the car out. To learn more, contact a company like Auto Max.