Get an inspection before buying a used car Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our mission is to help you make better financial decisions by providing you with interactive financial calculators and tools, publishing original and objective content. This allows you to conduct your own research and analyze information for no cost – so that you can make informed financial decisions. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make money The products that appear on this website come from companies that compensate us. This compensation could affect how and when products are listed on this site, including for instance, the order in which they may be listed within the categories of listing in the event that they are not permitted by law. Our loan products, such as mortgages and home equity, and other home lending products. This compensation, however, does affect the information we publish, or the reviews appear on this website. We do not cover the universe of companies or financial offers that may be accessible to you. SHARE: Sinology/Getty Images
3 min read published May 12, 2022
Written by Kellye Guinan. Written Personal and Business Finance contributor Kellye Guinan is a freelance editor and writer with more than five years of experience in personal financial. She is also an employee full-time at her local library where she helps her community access information about financial literacy, among other subjects. The article was edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since the end of 2021. They are dedicated to helping readers gain the confidence to take control of their finances with precise, well-studied information that breaks down otherwise complex subjects into digestible pieces. The Bankrate promise
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We are compensated in exchange for the promotion of sponsored goods and, services, or when you click on specific links on our site. Therefore, this compensation may affect the way, location and in what order items are displayed within the categories of listing in the event that they are not permitted by law. This is the case for our mortgage or home equity products, as well as other products for home loans. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether or not a product is available in the area you reside in or is within your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and when products are featured on this website. While we strive to provide an array of offers, Bankrate does not include details about every financial or credit product or service. Car history reports can be an excellent source of information when looking into used cars, but if you’re , an inspection is key. You should consult a third-party mechanic — someone not connected to the seller to determine the areas that could be problematic. A reputable dealer should permit this to be a part of the process. You may also be able to request an inspection on the spot if a private seller doesn’t want to take a trip to a shady mechanic. Be sure that the mechanic you choose is licensed and reliable to ensure that you’re not signing on for repair bills in the future. A thorough inspection is crucial to the buying a used car process. A pre-purchase inspection can provide you with information about the cosmetic and mechanical condition of the vehicle. Not only will this assist in identifying any potential issues however, it will allow you to rescind an acquisition if you feel that the car doesn’t meet your needs. When you schedule an inspection, make sure you request a detailed account of the scope of the inspection and exactly what your mechanic is looking for. You should be provided with a complete list, including reviewing the exterior and interior for damage and wear. The mechanic will also check the functioning of all the car’s features and all fluid levels. You should find an experienced mechanic who will be able to assess the steering, engine suspension, frame, and suspension as well as signs of previous incidents or water damage. They should also use the code-reading tool to look for any error codes that could indicate an issue. If they discover any, you should request receipts for the corresponding repair. If you’ve got a written report, you’ll be able to negotiate to a better price or find a different vehicle. It could take longer however it can save you thousands in repairs if you are able to identify a problem before it becomes an issue. When should you have the used vehicle inspected? You should hold off on an official inspection until you’re certain about the . This includes negotiating the price, test driving the vehicle and doing your own inspection before. Once you’re positive this is the car that you would like, arrange for an on-site mechanic to meet you or collaborate with the seller to take the vehicle to a reputable shop. An inspection prior to purchase should be the last step to finalizing the sale. After all, you don’t want to pay on a vehicle you’ll never purchase. What is the cost of an inspection? An inspection will likely cost anything from $100 to $150, according to . But the actual cost will depend on the expertise of your mechanic, age of the vehicle , and any known problems. Your mechanic should give you a quote before you bring the used car to. Like taxes and fees, don’t include this cost into the loan. Plan for a used car inspection separately , and do not schedule it until you have narrowed down your selection to a single vehicle in good condition. There’s always the chance that you’ll never want to buy the car but saving the inspection until late-game negotiation can help you avoid wasting money. Where to have a used car examined Ideally, an inspection should be conducted by a mechanic with whom you already have a good working relationship with. Most independent auto repair and body shops perform inspections on used cars. But if your mechanic doesn’t offer a referral, ask for one that does. If you don’t already have a mechanic you trust, look for local mechanics not associated with dealerships that have good reviews from customers. You can find reviews on the shop’s Better Business Bureau page. Members of American Automobile Association (AAA) are able to search for a ASE-certified garage, or you can go to a recommended mechanic by the insurance company. The mechanic you choose to hire must get certified through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Another option is to employ an international company that is specialized in used-car inspections like Alliance Inspection Management, Carchex and Inspect My Ride. You can request a portable inspection.. Inspections are usually conducted in a garage or shop There mechanics who offer mobile inspections. This may be more convenient for you if you’re working with a private dealer, or the dealer isn’t able to allow an extended test drive. But, this option could be more costly than bringing your car to a repair shop. You’ll pay for the convenience and it’ll most likely take some time before the technician can completely check the car. Used car buying online and inspections Used car dealers like Carvana and Vroom offer a week during which you are able to take a test drive of the vehicle prior to finalizing the purchase. It gives you the chance to bring it to a mechanic and have it inspected. Because the majority of online sellers do not allow you to negotiate the price, any mechanical issue identified could be sufficient to return the vehicle. If you’re purchasing a car sight-unseen from a private seller online, you must make it clear you’d like to have it examined by a mechanic prior to purchase. The seller might not be happy with that but that’s okay. There are many cars available, and you should keep searching rather than buying a car that has not been inspected. The next step is to make sure that no matter what kind of inspection services you select be sure to get an official report with photos of any areas of concern. The report will prove helpful in your negotiations to purchase a pre-owned car if you decide to move to the next step. Learn more
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Written by personal and business finance contributor Kellye Guinan is a freelance editor and writer with more than five years ‘ experience within personal financial planning. She also is an employee full-time at her local library, where she assists the community gain access to information on financial literacy, among other topics. The article was edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since the end of 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to take control of their finances by providing precise, well-studied information that break down complex topics into manageable bites.
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