Shopping for a new car is a very exciting experience, even if the car isn’t going to be brand new. With all the options for used car buying available to consumers today, including online retailers, private sales facilitated by digital classifieds like Craigslist, and physical used car dealerships, there are literally thousands of cars to pick from at any given time. With all of these options, it’s sometimes overwhelming for prospective buyers to know exactly which part of a used car to scrutinize before buying. Here are a few reasons we think it’s a good idea to pop open the hood and look for silicone hoses while shopping for a used car.

They Signal Upgrades

Most cars these days are built with traditional rubber hoses. These hoses have been used in cars for decades and offer a nice intersection of affordability and longevity. However, if you look under the hood of a potential used car and see silicone hoses, you have a clear indication that someone has been working on this car and making improvements. These hoses can usually be spotted by bright color and unusual hose clamps. If a previous owner invested in silicone hoses, it’s probably a safe bet that they’ve taken good care of their car in other ways as well.

Long Lifespan

One of the major benefits of choosing silicone hoses in automobile applications is that they’re built to withstand intense wear and tear. Unlike rubber hoses, which tend to crack and rupture after being exposed to extreme temperatures year after year, silicone hoses are incredibly resilient. If you see them in a used car, and they’ve been attached correctly, you probably won’t have to replace your hoses any time soon.

Easier To Work On

If you’re buying a fixer-upper type of used car, it’s important to know that silicone hoses are much easier to work on. Their ability to retain maximum flexibility after years of use means you won’t need five friends and an army of tools to take them on and off during other repairs.