Include a pre-purchase inspection in your used-car checklist. You want to do more than check the accident reporting websites. An independent auto shop can inspect the vehicle with a trained eye that will detect unseen problems. We are such a shop, and we would be happy to inspect any used automobile that you’ve got on your potential buying list.
Damage Inspection
For example, we are trained to find bodywork, even the best kind. We know how to tell if an automobile has been in a previous accident. There are signs that are unavoidable that can be covered up relatively easily because they are underneath the automobile.
We also inspect to make certain there is nothing fishy such as previous electrical, fire, or flood damage. You do not want to purchase a used car that has been damaged in the past. This could leave you with unseen problems that will develop over time.
System Inspection
We will also figuratively tear the vehicle apart. We will inspect each system to ensure they are in like-new condition. This is especially important if you are purchasing the used car from a private seller. The seller may not have kept up with the vehicle’s preventative maintenance schedule.
For example, you do not want to drive away with worn belts and hoses, low fluids, a faulty electrical system, and a worn-out brake system. Everything needs to be checked, including any safety features that the vehicle has such as automatic braking or lane control features.
Diagnostic Inspection
Finally, we will also run a complete diagnostic test on the vehicle. This provides us with a download of all of the data in the engine control module. The engine control module is the main computer chip in the vehicle that talks with every system sensor to ensure the vehicle is running properly.
If anything goes wrong, the sensor in the problematic system will send an error code to the module. This error code will appear on the diagnostic test results if the problem was never resolved. In other words, the diagnostic test will report problems that are unseen, unheard, and undetectable.
You can count on us to make certain you are not buying a lemon. Even though the vehicle is used, it should be like new. We will check everything to ensure it is in excellent condition. Give us a call today to set up an appointment for a pre-purchase vehicle inspection.