top of page
Writer's pictureAmelie Lawrence

Fundamentals of Pre Purchase Car Inspection

Be it the status symbol or exercising personal control regarding travel plans or dire need, the popularity of cars never decreases. Just as owning a brand new car brings immeasurable happiness used cars are no less popular as a necessity. Pre purchase car inspection refers to a professional service meant for evaluating the condition of the vehicle before making a purchase offer. The job of an evaluator ranges from examining any defect or hidden damage to reporting maintenance history in written format.

Checklist for Vehicle Inspection

  1. A notebook to write down the identification number and mileage of the vehicle.

  2. A paper towel is required to check the oil of the engine.

  3. Flashlight to check leaks or wear and tear below the car.

  4. Magnet to find out hidden bodywork.

  5. A compact disc, Bluetooth, USB to examine the stereo of the car.

  6. A report on the history of the automobile.

Things to Be Noted for Pre Purchase Inspection

  1. The preliminary focus is on assimilating factual information on the present condition of the vehicle which may include a short test drive on the road.

  2. The common areas of inspection of a vehicle comprise suspension, safety features, emissions, power train and so on.

  3. New vehicles must undergo inspection of an onboard computer.

  4. A pre purchase car inspection also requires investigation of any alteration undergone by the vehicle identification number.

  5. Commercial inspection must look for insurance plans, marks material conspicuity and so on.

Importance of Pre Purchase Car Inspection

  1. The value of a vehicle may alter due to costly repair resulting in an unworthy deal. The best way to avoid such mishaps is to undergo a pre purchase car inspection.

  2. Pre purchase car inspection helps in negotiating the price of a car, be it a deliberate attempt to hide invisible damage or ignorance of any problem at all.

  3. It assures you of the quality of a vehicle and helps in making a worthy deal.

Cost of Pre Purchase Car Inspection

For an experienced mechanic, it generally takes an hour to inspect a car. A mechanic supervises the equipment of the car, investigates the plight of the car, detects hidden damages be it internal or external and builds confidence to ascertain the value of the automobile. A car mechanic charges on the basis of time allotted for inspection. So the charge of the pre purchase car inspection depends on his salary per hour.

Difference Between State Car inspectors and Independent Car Inspectors

The basic difference between a state and an independent inspector is that a state pre purchase car inspection demands an inspector to be certified while an independent inspector may not possess such a certification. However, the presence of a certificate doesn’t assure the quality of an inspector. It is his expertise and experience that speaks for him. State car inspectors generally work at fixed stations.

Pre Purchase Inspection of Used Car

Purchasing a used car demands intense pre purchase inspection. The preliminary things to be considered are whether the car is at the ground level or not if there is any rust spots or dents. It is to be checked whether all the tires are equally worn.

How to Identify a Good Car Inspector

A good car inspector should have the following qualities:

  1. He should have professional training to ensure the optimal safety of the vehicle. Certain state demands credentials conferred by a particular state.

  2. He should be experienced, that is, he should be both trained by manufacturers of vehicles as well as certified by Automotive Service Excellence.

  3. He should be knowledgeable about federal rules and regulations.

1 view0 comments
bottom of page