Buying a used car is a process that most people hate for good reason. When buying used, you're basically at the whim of the seller and their willingness to truthfully disclose any issues with the vehicle, including prior repair work. I just bought a used car myself, but had the advantage of knowing the seller beforehand, eliminating much of the guesswork.
Mechanic To Inspect Car Before Buying
If you're buying the car from a used car dealership, you should always determine what kind of a warranty program they're offering. When dealerships buy vehicles at auction, the reputable ones will fix any issues before selling to the public. It's best to look for a dealership with actual mechanic bays as they're more likely to offer a warranty and repair any issues you may encounter since they have mechanics on-site.
When buying from a private seller, a good option is to bring the vehicle to a mechanic for a thorough inspection. If someone has a friend that's a mechanic, they will usually bring them along. But the average person isn't well versed in cars, and not everyone's buddy owns a shop, so how do you find a trustworthy mechanic to tell you whether the car is a smart purchase or not? Here are some steps to take:
Purchasing a used vehicle can be risky. When excited buyers get emotionally caught up in the vehicle purchase, they often miss mechanical, cosmetic, and safety issues during visual inspections and test drives. These problems are compounded if the vehicle being purchased is located in another city and is purchased prior to being seen in person. To eliminate much of the anxiety and get an accurate picture of the condition of the vehicle, many buyers choose to have a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) done before the sale is final.
What is a pre-purchase inspection?
A pre-purchase inspection is a detailed assessment by a qualified individual to determine the cosmetic, mechanical, and safety condition of a vehicle before completing the purchase. Most pre-purchase inspections are done by a certified mechanic or automotive technician who is knowledgeable in the make and model of the vehicle being inspected. The intent of the PPI is to uncover existing conditions or to reveal maintenance shortcomings that may become potential safety or financial issues for the buyer in the future.
When should I get a PPI?
A pre-purchase inspection is highly recommended when purchasing a vehicle without a warranty, or when the vehicle is located in another city. When there is no warranty, the buyer is immediately assuming all the risk in the event of a breakdown or major mechanical issue. For this reason, a qualified PPI makes financial sense. Vehicles in other cities present additional challenges when the purchaser is unable to take a test drive. With just a few phone calls, you can often arrange a PPI with a local shop where the seller can drop the vehicle off for a few hours. The resulting PPI report gives the buyer added security during a long-distance transaction.
Where can I get a PPI?
A pre-purchase inspection can be done by any competent mechanic or automotive technician who understands the vehicle you are purchasing. Automobile dealerships and independent specialty shops are excellent resources for a thorough PPI, and they will be familiar with the process. In addition to the traditional automotive shops, there are now national specialized mobile PPI operations that will inspect vehicles almost anywhere in the country. You can conduct an online search for "Pre-Purchase Inspection" to find larger operations.
What should be inspected?
Unfortunately, there isn't an industry-wide accepted standard or schedule for a PPI. The cost of the inspection generally determines the depth and detail of the inspection. A basic inspection will be mostly visual, which includes putting the car on a hydraulic lift and checking for leaks or broken components. A more involved inspection will include a detailed road test where components such as steering and brakes can be assessed. A thorough inspection will include checking engine compression and a computer engine analysis.
How much should it cost, and who pays?
The buyer typically pays for the pre-purchase inspection. A basic PPI will cost $100 to $200. For that price, you can expect a good overall mechanical and safety inspection (including a test drive) of the vehicle. A detailed inspection of a complex luxury automobile, with extensive engine tests, could cost several hundred dollars or more.
The pre-purchase inspection is usually completed before the sale; however, in some negotiations, the sale is contingent on the completion of a satisfactory PPI. A clean report is an excellent sales tool, while a questionable PPI can end the deal. To be fair to both parties, both the buyer and the seller should agree on the terms of the PPI before the inspection takes place.
Buying a car can be both fun and a daunting task. But before committing to a car of your choice, it is crucial to carefully analyze the vehicle. By thoroughly inspecting the vehicle, you can discover any issues with it and ensure that you are getting a good deal on your purchase.
A way of determining the condition of a car before making a purchase is to inspect it. It is a crucial step in the process of purchasing a used car since it enables you to spot any potential problems with the vehicle before you commit to buying it.
In general, a pre-purchase car inspection is a crucial stage in the used car purchasing process. It can help you find out if the vehicle has any possible problems before you buy it, which can ultimately save you time and money.
Suspension issues can be costly to remedy, too. A certified mechanic will need to put the car up on a lift to get a look at the complete picture, but your inspection can include checking the shocks and struts for leaks and conducting the highly unofficial bounce test (lean on each corner of the car to test the stiffness of the suspension).
As important as your personal inspection is to the buying process, nothing matches the experience of a trained expert. An ASE mechanic will typically charge $100-200 for a pre-purchase inspection (which is more in-depth than a state inspection), but they can justify that expense by fully detailing the condition of the car and providing estimates for any necessary or recommended repairs. That relatively small expense could potentially save you thousands of dollars down the road.
Purchasing a used vehicle is a significant endeavor. So take your time to research what might be the best car for you, and then methodically work through your inspection. Check the exterior, interior, underside, and under the hood. If you see any cause for concern, move on to the next car. If everything looks good, take it to a certified mechanic for a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
While no inspection is guaranteed to find every flaw in a used car, an experienced, trained mechanic can help you avoid serious and costly problems. An AAMCO pre-purchase inspection is good insurance and peace of mind when buying a used car.
I am considering purchasing a vehicle from a rental car company. To make sure the car is in good shape, I want to have it inspected by an independent mechanic. However, the salesperson at the rental car company told me that they would charge me a $250 fee for doing that. Is this legal, and if so, would this fee be refundable once I return the car or purchase it?
As far as whether the dealership can charge you a fee if you take the car to an independent mechanic, they probably can. Businesses, whether they are dealerships, independent dealers or rental companies, are allowed to set their own pricing policies. Furthermore, there is no law in Georgia stating that they cannot charge such a fee. Although there are legitimate reasons that the dealer might not want the car taken off the premises (for instance, liability concerns), the fact that the dealer is seeking to discourage an inspection is concerning and might be a sign that the vehicle has problems that the seller does not want you to know about. Moreover, purchasing a rental vehicle comes with increased risk that might not be associated with new, or other used or pre-owned vehicles. For example, rental drivers may be rougher on rental vehicles. Also, a rental car has had multiple drivers, while other used cars, depending on the mileage and what they were used for, might have had just one or two consistent drivers.
An inspection will likely cost anywhere from $100 to $150, according to Consumer Reports. But the actual cost will vary based on the experience of your mechanic, age of the vehicle and known issues. Your mechanic should be able to give you a quote before you bring the used car in.
Any mechanic you hire should be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Another option is to hire a national firm specializing in used-car inspections, such as Alliance Inspection Management, Carchex and Inspect My Ride.
Online used car sellers like Carvana and Vroom provide a week where you can test drive the vehicle before finalizing the purchase. This gives you the opportunity to take it to your mechanic and have it inspected.
Conventional wisdom suggests having an inspection performed on any car that costs over $5,000 regardless of whether or not it has any remaining warranty. There are other situations in which it would be in your interest to have the car inspected for safety and reliance before you spend your hard-earned money.
A pre-purchase inspection is a detailed assessment by a qualified individual to determine the cosmetic, mechanical, and safety condition of a vehicle before completing the purchase. Most pre-purchase inspections are done by a certified mechanic or automotive technician who is knowledgeable in the make and model of the vehicle being inspected. The intent of the PPI is to uncover existing conditions or to reveal maintenance shortcomings that may become potential safety or financial issues for the buyer in the future.
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