Pre-Purchase Car Inspection: Inspecting a Used Vehicle

May 21, 2021   Buying Selling Auctions

If you are conversant with the rigors of auto mechanics, that’s a great plus to you. While many people know how to service cars and replace worn-out or damaged tires, putting a car in great condition requires the expertise of a professional. However, you don’t have to be an expert auto mechanic to run a physical assessment of the vehicle you want to buy. Keep in mind that this is not about inspecting the car to know the engine condition only, it is a general assessment and evaluation of the vehicle. In this case, you need the services of an expert in pre purchase car inspection San Diego California.

A pre purchase car inspection will is a great money saver when shopping for a used car. Since you won’t need the services of an expert in pre purchase car inspection San Diego California, it is wise to go fully prepared. This includes wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. You don’t want to go for a car inspection in a white long-sleeved shirt, a well-knotted tie, and a suit.

So what should you take along with you while going for a pre purchase car inspection? These include

  • A flashlight: Illuminates the undercarriage and those hard to reach parts of the interior, making it more visible to inspect

  • Pen and paper: Jot down the positives and negatives of the vehicle.

  • Camera: Take pictures of the vehicle before and after inspections

How to Inspect

Inspecting a used car is easy and simple. Begin your assessment from the vehicle’s body condition. Take a walk around the car and inspect its general appearance. One of your focal points is the car’s paint. If you look closely, you may discover that certain parts have different paint covers. Depending on how the paint job is done and who handled it, the discrepancies can be obvious or subtle. All vehicle parts should have the same color and equally shiny or dull. If there’s any slight difference in the car’s paint, then it’s likely that the car has gotten involved in an accident. One way to find out is by looking at the car from a distance. Take note of this and ask the seller to tell you the reason behind it. Keep off vehicles that have been involved in an accident as it’s likely that they will break down more easily, no matter how good the repair job. It’s sometimes impossible to detect any serious problem during physical inspection or while test driving. The problem may begin to surface about few months after purchase.

Inspect the exterior with caution and patience. If there is rust on the surface, this is a red light. Rust comprises of many things, so one must be very selective. Close and open the doors to determine their condition. Check for damages in the windows and the windshield. More so, check the hinge operation and the mirrors successively. 

Furthermore, do not forget to inspect the intensity of the interior and exterior lights.