Pre-Purchase Inspections For Used Cars

It can be difficult to navigate the market for used cars. In the excitement of finding the car you want and driving it for the first time, you might end up overlooking important details about the car’s mechanical condition. To reduce the stress of buying a used car, some buyers opt for a pre-purchase inspection for peace of mind.

What is a Pre-Purchase Inspection?

For used cars, a pre-purchase inspection is a detailed and thorough vehicle inspection done by a certified mechanic or auto expert to ascertain the vehicle’s mechanical, cosmetic, and safety status. The mechanic or technician will assess the vehicle’s current condition, identify possible future issues, and do a thorough investigation to make sure that any prior damage to the vehicle has been correctly repaired.

Getting a pre-purchase inspection can give you peace of mind in navigating the market for used cars. When you do a pre-purchase inspection, you can find out whether a particular vehicle is the one for you, or you can use the information to negotiate a lower price.

Where Can You Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection?

When you buy from a dealer, they may do an inspection right there. However, they should also understand if you decide to get your own mechanic to inspect the vehicle. It’s your right as the consumer to have a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic of your choice before buying a vehicle. In this case, you may have to fill out a non-binding purchase agreement and put down a refundable deposit. Then you can take the vehicle to your own mechanic.

You have a few options for getting a pre-purchase inspection. You can either use your local mechanic, take it to an auto service chain, or enlist a mobile inspection mechanic. If you belong to an auto club like AAA, you can usually locate approved facilities on the company’s website. Another option is a brand specialist for the type of vehicle that you’re buying.

What Happens In a Pre-Purchase Inspection?

Ideally, you will have a vehicle history report before getting an inspection. This is so the mechanic can specifically inspect any problem areas if the car was in an accident before. If you opt for a full mechanical inspection, the mechanic should put the vehicle on a lift to fully inspect the vehicle’s underside and engine. It’s also a good idea for the mechanic to test-drive the car themself to assess any possible problems.

The cost for a pre-purchase inspection isn’t usually exorbitant. A price range between $100 and $200 is typical. Even though you’re expected to foot the bill for a pre-purchase inspection, the amount is fairly minimal compared to the potential risk of buying used cars with serious problems.

After the inspection, you can decide whether to purchase the used car in question based on the findings. If the car has a few issues that you’ve decided are fixable, you can use this information to possibly negotiate a lower price with the seller. That alone can recoup your expense on the inspection.