Are you in the market for a new-to-you vehicle? If so, you want to make a wise choice. Cars are expensive investments. In order to make as informed of a decision as possible when picking out a car, consider a pre-purchase inspection. For more information on this type of inspection and why it’s so valuable, keep reading,
A pre-purchase inspection is an inspection performed on a used car for sale by a licensed mechanic or technician. The inspection looks for evidence of cosmetic, structural, and mechanical damage. It is performed at the request and cost of a potential buyer.
When a trained automotive mechanic is performing a pre-purchase inspection, they start by inspecting the exterior paint job for dents, dings, and scratches. Then, they move to the electrical system. This includes the dashboard displays, power windows, lock systems, and so on. A technician will also search for fluid leaks, inspect the battery, evaluate the cables, examine the wiring, listen for noises inside and outside of the vehicle when driving, check tire pressure and tread for wear, and ensure the lights and bulbs are all in working condition.
If you’re buying a pre-owned car, there is a high possibility that the vehicle is not in perfect condition. Vehicles experience wear and tear over the years. This wear is normal, but you want to be sure the wear isn’t too severe. That is why a pre-purchase inspection is such a valuable inspection to perform.
The pre-purchase inspection checklist contains five main categories. These categories are overall condition, engine compartment and mechanicals, body panels, wheels and tires, and maintenance history and incident reports.
Once you have information on all five of these categories, you can make a more informed decision when purchasing a pre-owned car. Even if the vehicle doesn’t pass all of the inspection categories, you can negotiate a price on the vehicle based on the repairs you will need to make if you buy it.
If you’re looking for a mechanic to help you perform a pre-purchase inspection on a pre-owned car, contact Dave’s Auto Repair. We are located at 4547 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota, Florida. You can schedule an appointment on our website or you can call us at (941) 239-2922.