Monday, April 27, 2009

Walk-around Vehicle Inspection - Essential for Car Purchasers

If you are considering a purchase of a vehicle- be it car , truck, S.U.V. or even a bus then a walk around inspection of your prospective purchase may be the most valuable time spent saving you a great amount of time, money and expense and most of all heartache and aggravation. Not only that but by having more facts at your fingers puts you in the drivers seat so to speak in terms of negotiating price and terms with the seller of the vehicle - be it a private sale or an auto dealer themselves.


It's an amazing fact but many auto purchasers do not take the time to even walk around and inspect their prospective purchase fully with a simple 360 walk around of the car. Perhaps their mind is elsewhere - these days it is financing terms and even simple availaibility of financing for their new purchase. Perhaps they are just enamored with the vehicle from the start and want to purchase the car promptly as the early bird gets the worm. Nothing takes the place of a full 360 vehicle inspections before discussing purchase price and terms. Indeed one car purchaser only discovered after purchasing and examining the vehicle that the previous owner had only repainted one side of the car - the driver's side


as it was the only side of the vehicle he ever saw. Not only that but the set of more expensive impressive hubcaps was only placed on the drivers side as well not on the passenger's side as well. The owner's reasoning was that since no one could compare the hubcaps while he was driving the car it was an inexpensive means to spruce up his vehicle purchasing a partial set of impressive hubcaps? Of course the driver's side was the side of the car that got the upgrade.


What should an inexperienced or experienced vehicle walk around inspector look for and examine. First of all of course look for obvious collision damage. Of course most used cars will have the usual parking lot dings and scrapes and perhaps a bit more. However be on the attention to note extensive collision damage to the auto body or its components such as trim, light reflectors, mirrors, bumpers or the radiator. One should pay particular attention, especially in some more rust prone geographic area where a lot of salt is used on the roads in the winter, for rust on the metal of the car body. Always remember that in most cases the rust you see is the tip of the iceberg eating up from the metal base as opposed to being surface rust only. Next see if you can spot or note any obvious structural damage to the body or frame. This of course in addition to your inspection for obvious collision damage. By looking under the hood and listening to the engine and examining the exhaust you may quickly be able to note an engine or transmission drive train that is on its way out. Leakage of fluids - radiator coolant, transmission fluid and engine oil under the car, on the pavement may be another indicator to watch out for and note.


In terms of the interior of the vehicle it's anyone's guess. Sometimes the best maintained mechanically cars are the dirtiest. Still at the worst calculate the price of having the car cleaned up to your specs as one of your out of pocket costs.


In the same manner have an estimate of costs out of your pocket when discussing price and terms in the purchase price of the car. If you are unsure of the price and complexity of any repairs - that it is beyond your technical expertise, then it is never a sin to ask someone more qualified. Better a moment now spent in finding out than a lot of time, trouble and money down the road. In these days of portable cell phones it's only a case of a simple call to your trusted mechanic, an auto repair shop or chain or at the worst a more automobile mechanically knowledgeable friend or family member.


By conducting thorough and full vehicle inspections you will be a much better position to both negotiate and purchase the vehicle or is need be walk away from the deal and travel further down the road so to speak on your automobile purchase quest.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Article Regarding Vehicle Inspections

It is literally impossible to just look at a used car and know whether or not it runs well or is a total lemon. Unfortunately, too many people don't take the time or effort to thoroughly inspect a used vehicle, either because they don't know how to go about it or they are too trusting.


One thing to keep in mind is that even if you know the seller, they may not be aware of potential problems that the vehicle has. It's not uncommon to purchase a vehicle that is previously owned and end up having to make extensive repairs within a few months because things have just worn out. You'll be far better off getting an inspection before you buy and saving a lot of money in the long run. It will let you know what to expect and even if you decide to go ahead with the purchase, you should make sure that the price reflects the problems that you'll have to deal with after you buy.


You have two options for vehicle inspections, do it yourself or get a professional to check the car for you.


Doing Your Own Car Inspection


If you are fairly knowledgeable about vehicles, you can probably do your own inspection. It's a good idea to be familiar with engines, though, if you plan to do this. Otherwise, look at getting a friend who is either a mechanic or very mechanically able to help you out when you go to check out a used car.


Visual Inspection: Take a look at the car, both outside and inside, as well as under the hood. Is there any damage to the vehicle? Minor issues like scratches and some small dents are fine, but if there is more obvious damage, major dents, rips, or peeling paint, keep in mind that these signal bigger problems that will need to be fixed. Keep an eye out for signs of a previous collision that could have caused bigger problems like a twisted frame.


Inside, make sure that the dashboard and upholstery is in decent shape. Ripped or cracked interiors can be very costly to repair and chances are you won't want to just leave them as is. Also look to make sure that there are no exposed wires or rust damage.


Test Drive: Taking a car for a test drive is essential if you are going to be sure it's worth buying. When starting the car, notice if it starts smoothly or needs extra gas to start up and stay running. This could indicate problems if you need to pump the gas to keep the car running.


It's also a good idea to try shifting gears if you are in a manual transmission vehicle, since this is where many problems occur. Don't just drive around the yard, take the car out on the road and get up to speed. This will give you an idea for how the clutch works and how smooth the gears are. In many older cars, this can get a bit jerky, but in general, it shouldn't be difficult to shift and there should be no grinding.


Other Checks: Test the lights by turning them on and off, including the turn signals. These aren't major problems, but dim or flickering lights could indicate a battery problem or a faulty connection that will cost more to repair than just a new bulb.


Windows should also be tested, to ensure that they roll up and down properly. In some older used cars, the windows are a problem. A stuck window rarely works well again, so keep this in mind as you inspect the vehicle.

The battery, carburetor and engine all need to be in good shape. This will require a bit more technical knowledge, but it's worth checking out since this is where the real problems are going to occur. The most costly ones, as well. You'll need to check under the car to see if there are any leaks you should know about and the brakes should be inspected, as well as the shocks.


Having a Professional Inspection Done


Not everyone has the expertise to do their own used car inspection. If you aren't confident in your abilities to diagnose a potential problem, it's a good idea to get a professional mechanic that you know and trust to go along and take a look at the car you are thinking about buying.


A mechanic should do all of the checks mentioned above, but may also do more extensive testing. Using the right tools, a mechanic will be able to check electrical currents and other important areas of the vehicle to give you a very complete picture. He will also be able to tell you if there are any potentially dangerous problems and what will most likely need to be replaced in the near future.


Buying a used car is cheaper than a new one, but it is still a big investment. Not only are you purchasing a car, you're putting your faith in it to carry you and your family safely. This is the main reason you will want vehicle inspections done before you buy, to ensure that the vehicle is one you can safely drive. However, it isn't the only reason.


Whether the seller knows of issues with the car or not, the price may be too high for the state the vehicle is in. Once you've had a thorough inspection done, you'll know whether or not the asking prices is fair. Finding the flaws can give you a bargaining chip for lowering the price of the used car, as well. Not only this, but you'll know more or less what kind of money you'll be sinking into the car in the near future . . . giving you a better idea of whether or not you are willing to make this kind of investment after all. It pays to know what you're getting into.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Australia’s Most Comprehensive Vehicle Inspection Service

MTA Vehicle Inspections provides the most complete Mobile Vehicle Inspection service available in our industry, not just ticks and checks! Whether you are buying a car, selling, or wanting an end of warranty inspection, you can rest assured that with MTA Vehicle Inspections you get the complete picture in a language you can understand.


Buying a used car today can get you into all sorts of troubles. Unfortunately the world is riddled today with dishonest car sellers who will use every trick in the book to disguise a bomb into a seemingly good and reliable vehicle. Fortunately for you, there is MTA Vehicle Inspections.


MTA Vehicle Inspections are completely independent and highly dedicated to providing the most complete and comprehensive mobile vehicle inspections at an affordable price. They offer Pre Purchase, Pre Sale and End of warranty inspections throughout the Sydney Metro area.


They also specialise in dealing with interstate customers who are looking to purchase a vehicle from Sydney. MTA Vehicle Inspections will take the hassles out of buying a good interstate car. So wether your from Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Tasmania, Western Australia, Tasmania, NT, MTA can help.


The Vehicle Inspections service is designed to take the stress and hassle of purchasing a car and knowing you have not bought a dud that is going to end up being unreliable and a financial nightmare. Once you have made a booking, we organize and arrange the entire process with the seller, carry out an extremely thorough inspection and prepare and deliver your highly detailed report via fax or email.


MTA’s inspectors are fully qualified and licensed motor mechanics who possess the latest tools to make sure every vehicle inspection is carried out perfectly. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, and will always do whatever they can to help and guide you in the process of purchasing a car, making sure you make that right decision.


Each major component of the car is thoroughly inspected and reported on in a clear and precise manner. We don't just tick "good" or "bad" boxes! We clearly state our findings, and being qualified licensed mechanics we can diagnose and report any potential future problems that the component may have. MTA Vehicle Inspections truly believes that they provide the most valuable and comprehensive vehicle inspections reports on the market. Inspection includes; Engine & Mechanical, Body & Paint, Interior & Components, Under Body, Air Condition, Cooling System, Steering & Suspension, Brake, Transmission, Wheels & Tyres.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Inspection Of A Used Car

Buying a used car requires a thorough inspection, to check for any hidden snags or any irregularities in the cars functioning. The test drive is also an important part of inspecting the car. However, even before the test drive, you should do an inspection of the used cars exterior. The used cars current condition, as you find out from the inspection, should be according to what the seller has informed you about the car. Also, the used car’s condition as it is now should be in proportion to what it was when it was new.


There are many specific things you must look for when conducting an inspection of a used car. The first rule is that you must always have the vehicle inspections done in day light, as this gives you the exact condition of the used car. The first thing to look for during inspection is whether the used car has any rust or rust bubbles in it. Rust is the cars greatest enemy, and is very difficult to repair completely.


The first place to start while having vehicle inspections is the underside of the car. The floor plans, the metal railings along the car’s perimeter, etc must be checked for rust; and also look for any part that has been newly replaced or has a marked difference from other parts. This might indicate that the used car has had an accident or has had some part repaired, and you must check for this during the inspection.


The used car inspection is not complete without checking the tyres. If the tyres are not in good condition, you might find ridges on them, which will indicate any harsh use or use of old tyres. Last but not the least; the used car inspection is completed by a thorough walk around the car, looking to see if you can spot any irregularities, or any signs of damage.