Where To Get a Used Car Inspected and What Is Covered

No piece of car buying advice is more often ignored than this: Have a mechanic inspect a used car before you buy it. Why do buyers plunk down thousands of dollars on a car with little more than an around-the-block test-drive and a glance under the hood? Three reasons deter car buyers from taking this vital step:

* Most consumers don't know that good used car inspections are readily available.
* Many car buyers don't want to pay the extra money for an inspection.
* Some people anticipate a hassle prying the car away from a dealer or private party.

With a little planning, the vehicle inspection process can be as fast and revealing as a Hollywood exposé. If the inspection report is clean, you can buy with confidence. If it unearths a checkered past, you can back away or negotiate a lower price in line with the cost of repairs.

What It Costs, What It Covers

Nearly all auto service facilities — from chain repair stores to dealerships to independent garages — offer some type of pre-purchase inspection. The going price is about $200, roughly the cost of an hour's labor for a mechanic. Most repair facilities will give a quick description of the number of points in the inspection and how it is conducted. In most cases, however, the findings of inspections are not guaranteed.

Automotive experts agree that a good inspection serves several functions:

* Verifies the equipment, or options, on the car
* Confirms the condition level of the car
* Reveals hidden problems with the body, frame or engine
* Finds engine codes that can reveal engine problems
* Builds confidence in the value of the vehicle

Many major problems that can be spotted by a good inspector include:

Frame damage — If the frame shows damage it indicates the car has been in a serious accident. Unless it has been repaired correctly, the car's wheels might not track properly, causing the vehicle to pull to one side and eventually leading to tire damage.

Poor previous repair work — This could range from sloppy bodywork to improper installation of modifications.

Smoker's car — If a car is being purchased remotely, via eBay for example, the seller could disguise the fact that someone has smoked in the car. Smoke gets into the vehicle's headliner and upholstery, and it is impossible to remove the smell.

Flood-damaged car — A vehicle history report can red flag a flood-damaged car unless its title has been falsified. If that's the case, then it's important for an inspector to check for signs of water damage.

Mobile or Garage Inspection?

Many people will be faced with the choice of having a mobile inspector look at a car or taking the vehicle to a local mechanic. While it's most important to get a qualified vehicle inspection, each method offers its advantages and disadvantages.

A mobile inspection is fast and convenient. The inspector comes to your home or office and performs the inspection on-site. An inspection report is printed out on the spot and given to the buyer or seller. Inspectors also photograph any damage and take shots of the vehicle from different angles.

Inspections done by your local mechanic, or the service department of a dealership specializing in that brand of car, are performed with more specialized equipment. Primarily, the car can be put up on a lift and the underside of the car examined for fluid leaks.

While no inspection is guaranteed to find every flaw in a used car, a trained eye can help you avoid serious problems. Given the fact that thousands of dollars are at stake, an hour of your time and a hundred dollars is good insurance against the unknown.