A thorough used car inspection is crucial to avoid buying a lemon. Using this step car inspection guide will show you how to inspect a car like a pro.
Throughout this guide I’ll share with you the tips and tricks car dealers use to quickly evaluate a cars condition. We’ll cover everything from a general walk around all the way to spotting frame and flood damaged cars.
Even though this is a very complete guide on how to inspect a car, I’d always recommend you rely on a professional mechanics expertise prior to buying a car.
The first step to your used car inspection is a general walk around of the car. As simple as this may seem, a lot can be learned about a car with this simple procedure.
One of the most important keys to performing vehicle inspection, including the walk around, is to inspect a car in the day time and with good weather.
If you were to find a great vehicle that you wanted to buy and it happened to be night time, rainy, snowing, etc., then place a *refundable* deposit on the vehicle and inspect it the next day.
I’ve had customers go so far as to request, not only a day time inspection, but they wanted to wash the car by hand. I know, when I first heard this I thought it was a little weird too. After giving it some thought, I realized this is actually an excellent way to inspect a car for body and flood damage.
In the second step to a thorough used car inspection, you’ll want to take a close look at the paint and the body of the car for signs of prior damage. At first glance, you’ll want to inspect the paint for orange peel. This is an indicator that a car has been painted.
Most paint jobs from the factory are smooth and glossy. That being said, there are some manufacturers that are notorious for orange peel paint jobs. Not a terrible thing, but make sure the panels of the car match, i.e. is the left rear quarter panel orange peeled and the rest of the car is smooth and glossy. If so, that’s a sign that work has been done.
The third step to a used car inspection is to inspect for frame damage. This not only can affect the value of a car, but can be a safety issue as well. Frame damage is bad! If a car has frame damage it can be repaired, but almost like a reconstructed knee or hip it will never be 100%.
The next step to your used car inspection is the basic mechanical inspection. This is where you get to take a look under the hood and it’s good practice to do this car buying inspection before and after the test drive.
Reinspecting after the test drive, will help to show leaks that may have been steam cleaned away and/or just leaks that weren’t there before.
The final step of a used car inspection is how to inspect a car on the test drive.
Here is what most people consider the fun part of the car buying inspection process. Although fun, you’ll definitely not want to lose focus while whipping around corners and passing other cars on the highway.
Vehicle Inspection Sydney
Friday, January 22, 2010
Used Car Inspection
Used vehicle inspections are essential before you buy, and today there are a number of sound guidelines to help you through the process. Anyone who has ever gone searching to buy a car knows there are often more question marks in this journey than there are sound assurances. The good news is that most responsible sellers nowadays will gladly let you take the car inspection by a mechanic you trust.
What is the car's history?
Although auto dealers often claim they carry nothing but fully secure vehicles, the truth is that the history and provenance of each vehicle in that lot may not be immediately clear. It's not unusual to find wrecks, lemons and other problems hiding among all those shiny rows, which is why the good car dealerships and honest private sellers are willing to accommodate your peace of mind.
Get under the hood
Experienced mechanics can usually tell you if there's a problem with the brakes, transmission or anything else central to proper operation. After safety rating, countless other considerations enter the picture, including the suspension, carburetor and wiring, the electronics, integrity of the frame and more. Your mechanic will have a routine checklist to assess all of this. Use his assessment to either reject the car or bargain with the seller.
Cosmetic check
If everything under the hood checks out, you will want to conduct an exhaustive cosmetic inspection before you bring the car back to the dealership. Dents, dings, and other repairable cosmetic flaws are much less serious than rust. Do all the doors and windows close with a tight, flush seal? Do all the latches and locks open and close the way they should? Test everything and make note of the flaws you feel you can live with since they will give you some bargaining power. If you find flaws you can't live with, are they repairable? If so, how much would that cost? That's another bargaining chip.
Mileage
Too many people treat mileage as a sort of catchall for the car's condition, and most mechanics will tell you that this number can be misleading. Far more important to the car's overall health is its make, model, history and particularly how prior owners have treated it. The truth is that reckless drivers tend to shorten the life span of their vehicles in dramatic ways, even if they put fewer miles on them so it pays to find out if the car you're considering was driven by a 22 year old who took it to the street races or a 40 year old soccer mom. And if the car has just had an engine replacement or new transmission or other significant replacements, it's not really as "old" as its mileage would indicate.
If you want to learn more about the best way to inspect any used car, find a good mechanic that offers helpful advice throughout the process. Buying a used car shouldn't have to be a blind gamble, and the best way to hedge your bets is by having that potential purchase examined in fine detail under the eye of a true expert in the industry.
Car Inspections Sydney
Vehicle Inspection Sydney
What is the car's history?
Although auto dealers often claim they carry nothing but fully secure vehicles, the truth is that the history and provenance of each vehicle in that lot may not be immediately clear. It's not unusual to find wrecks, lemons and other problems hiding among all those shiny rows, which is why the good car dealerships and honest private sellers are willing to accommodate your peace of mind.
Get under the hood
Experienced mechanics can usually tell you if there's a problem with the brakes, transmission or anything else central to proper operation. After safety rating, countless other considerations enter the picture, including the suspension, carburetor and wiring, the electronics, integrity of the frame and more. Your mechanic will have a routine checklist to assess all of this. Use his assessment to either reject the car or bargain with the seller.
Cosmetic check
If everything under the hood checks out, you will want to conduct an exhaustive cosmetic inspection before you bring the car back to the dealership. Dents, dings, and other repairable cosmetic flaws are much less serious than rust. Do all the doors and windows close with a tight, flush seal? Do all the latches and locks open and close the way they should? Test everything and make note of the flaws you feel you can live with since they will give you some bargaining power. If you find flaws you can't live with, are they repairable? If so, how much would that cost? That's another bargaining chip.
Mileage
Too many people treat mileage as a sort of catchall for the car's condition, and most mechanics will tell you that this number can be misleading. Far more important to the car's overall health is its make, model, history and particularly how prior owners have treated it. The truth is that reckless drivers tend to shorten the life span of their vehicles in dramatic ways, even if they put fewer miles on them so it pays to find out if the car you're considering was driven by a 22 year old who took it to the street races or a 40 year old soccer mom. And if the car has just had an engine replacement or new transmission or other significant replacements, it's not really as "old" as its mileage would indicate.
If you want to learn more about the best way to inspect any used car, find a good mechanic that offers helpful advice throughout the process. Buying a used car shouldn't have to be a blind gamble, and the best way to hedge your bets is by having that potential purchase examined in fine detail under the eye of a true expert in the industry.
Car Inspections Sydney
Vehicle Inspection Sydney
Information on Vehicle Inspection
Always have a used car inspected by a qualified mechanic before buying it.
This is a bit ‘advice that almost all experts agree on the machine.
Why? Because then you can discover the hidden problems, stop unplanned repairs, improve your safety and possibly lower the purchase price.
What It Covers
A thorough check-up looks mechanical, safety and appearance issues, such as vehicles: Tires, Chassis, Suspension, Glass, lights, brakes, radiators, hoses, belts, fluids, battery condition, outside surface
The inspections include a better road test and a computer analysis of the engine. Some tests also assess the condition of complete control instrument, pedals, seats and sound system.
Where to get a check
Take the car to a vehicle inspection service center for confidence, if you have one. Otherwise, most dealers and service departments, independent repairers will be happy to do the inspection. Just look online or through your phone book to find local shops that perform the car inspections.
If the seller refuses to let you take the car away, suggest that the seller accompany you to the store. Alternatively, use a shop that offers mobile controls. While these tests are not complete as that carried out on a lift, which however can be very useful.
If you’re not buying from a local merchant, you can order a pre-purchase in a store located close inspection certificate to the seller, and the store will mail or fax the report.
How much to pay
This time there is a stint at as a quality control can end up saving thousands of dollars and loads of frustration. Expect to pay at least few dollars for the exam.
Things to do with the report
A glowing report should facilitate the sale of the car, and make both the buyer and the seller feel more comfortable with the transaction.
A report that reveals some small imperfections can be used as a bargaining tool to lower the price. Or you can insist that the seller take care of problems before you pay the asking price.
A problematic relationship, meanwhile, should make you reconsider your purchase, unless the seller is willing to solve all problems, or you’re an expert in car repairs and the seller will lower the price accordingly.
Conducting Your Inspection
If you’re can’t spare the inspection fee or you know a decent amount about cars, you can always do your own inspection. While your results will not be as comprehensive as those done by a mechanic, that may be of some value and spot potential concerns.
Be sure to check for leaks, engine noises, smoke, tire wear, lined doors, cracked glass, and signs of flooding or fire damage, poor repairs, and unusual odors. Check fluid levels and conditions. Sift the exterior for dents, rust, and scratches.
And take the car in a thorough test drive at different speeds and types of road – and take mental notes on how the car steers, brakes, and handles.
Vehicle Inspection Sydney
Car Inspection Sydney
This is a bit ‘advice that almost all experts agree on the machine.
Why? Because then you can discover the hidden problems, stop unplanned repairs, improve your safety and possibly lower the purchase price.
What It Covers
A thorough check-up looks mechanical, safety and appearance issues, such as vehicles: Tires, Chassis, Suspension, Glass, lights, brakes, radiators, hoses, belts, fluids, battery condition, outside surface
The inspections include a better road test and a computer analysis of the engine. Some tests also assess the condition of complete control instrument, pedals, seats and sound system.
Where to get a check
Take the car to a vehicle inspection service center for confidence, if you have one. Otherwise, most dealers and service departments, independent repairers will be happy to do the inspection. Just look online or through your phone book to find local shops that perform the car inspections.
If the seller refuses to let you take the car away, suggest that the seller accompany you to the store. Alternatively, use a shop that offers mobile controls. While these tests are not complete as that carried out on a lift, which however can be very useful.
If you’re not buying from a local merchant, you can order a pre-purchase in a store located close inspection certificate to the seller, and the store will mail or fax the report.
How much to pay
This time there is a stint at as a quality control can end up saving thousands of dollars and loads of frustration. Expect to pay at least few dollars for the exam.
Things to do with the report
A glowing report should facilitate the sale of the car, and make both the buyer and the seller feel more comfortable with the transaction.
A report that reveals some small imperfections can be used as a bargaining tool to lower the price. Or you can insist that the seller take care of problems before you pay the asking price.
A problematic relationship, meanwhile, should make you reconsider your purchase, unless the seller is willing to solve all problems, or you’re an expert in car repairs and the seller will lower the price accordingly.
Conducting Your Inspection
If you’re can’t spare the inspection fee or you know a decent amount about cars, you can always do your own inspection. While your results will not be as comprehensive as those done by a mechanic, that may be of some value and spot potential concerns.
Be sure to check for leaks, engine noises, smoke, tire wear, lined doors, cracked glass, and signs of flooding or fire damage, poor repairs, and unusual odors. Check fluid levels and conditions. Sift the exterior for dents, rust, and scratches.
And take the car in a thorough test drive at different speeds and types of road – and take mental notes on how the car steers, brakes, and handles.
Vehicle Inspection Sydney
Car Inspection Sydney
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