Inspections Before You Buy
It's best to have a vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic before you buy it. Most mechanics can provide an inspection for around $100. An inspection by an independent mechanic should give you a good idea of the condition of the vehicle. A mechanical inspection is different than a safety inspection. Safety inspections usually focus on conditions that make a vehicle unsafe to drive. They are not designed to help you determine the overall reliability or mechanical condition of a vehicle.
You are looking to AVOID major expenses. A trained professional should be able to identify whether a vehicle has issues that will result in major expenses in the near future. Major components you need to be concerned with include but are not limited to: Frame/Unibody damages, Engine & Transmission issues, Electrical Systems, Fuel Systems, Brake Systems, Air Bag Systems and Exhaust Systems.
If the inspection reveals issues in any of these major areas then you have the following options: (1) you can walk-away from the purchase, having spent a small amount of money to avoid a major expense later, (2) we can fix the issues, (3) we can adjust the price of the vehicle to offset the costs and let you complete the repairs.
Don't let minor issues.... like windshield wipers, "kill-the-deal". If the value of the vehicle is thousands greater than the purchase price, it doesn't make sense to walk-away from the vehicle over something minor like scratches, scuff marks, low tire tread or windshield wipers.
The inspections we complete include (i) evaluating performance issues with a test-drive, (ii) looking at the top half of the engine to identify potential oil leaks, (iii) listening to the engine while running, to identify noises that reflect issues.
You are looking to AVOID major expenses. A trained professional should be able to identify whether a vehicle has issues that will result in major expenses in the near future. Major components you need to be concerned with include but are not limited to: Frame/Unibody damages, Engine & Transmission issues, Electrical Systems, Fuel Systems, Brake Systems, Air Bag Systems and Exhaust Systems.
If the inspection reveals issues in any of these major areas then you have the following options: (1) you can walk-away from the purchase, having spent a small amount of money to avoid a major expense later, (2) we can fix the issues, (3) we can adjust the price of the vehicle to offset the costs and let you complete the repairs.
Don't let minor issues.... like windshield wipers, "kill-the-deal". If the value of the vehicle is thousands greater than the purchase price, it doesn't make sense to walk-away from the vehicle over something minor like scratches, scuff marks, low tire tread or windshield wipers.
The inspections we complete include (i) evaluating performance issues with a test-drive, (ii) looking at the top half of the engine to identify potential oil leaks, (iii) listening to the engine while running, to identify noises that reflect issues.
Best Way to Complete an Inspection
It would be ideal to take the vehicle to an independent mechanic or shop with a mechanic. You want an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified mechanic to look at your vehicle. The problem is INSURANCE. More specifically, the vehicle has to be covered by an insurance policy when it leaves the lot. There are many costs and risks that need to be considered. Who would pay for damages to a vehicle while it is in transit to the shop? What is the cost in "labor" to our staff to over-see the process? Who would drive the vehicle to the shop? If it is to be towed, who is paying for it, and whose responsible for it after it leaves the lot? Whose insurance would be responsible if something happened? If something did happen and a claim was incurred, this would cause our insurance policy premiums to increase. For these reasons, it is not practical to drive or transport a vehicle to a shop for inspections.
The solution is to find a "Mobile-Mechanic" who can come to our location and inspect the vehicle for you. You should ask friends, relatives and co-workers for referrals OR go online and try to find a mobile mechanic.
The solution is to find a "Mobile-Mechanic" who can come to our location and inspect the vehicle for you. You should ask friends, relatives and co-workers for referrals OR go online and try to find a mobile mechanic.