Get an inspection before buying a used car Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make better financial decisions by offering you interactive financial calculators and tools that provide objective and original content, by enabling users to conduct research and compare information for free and help you make financial decisions with confidence. Bankrate has agreements 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 pay us. This compensation could affect how and where products appear on this site, including such things as the sequence in which they appear within the listing categories and other categories, unless prohibited by law. This applies to our loans, mortgages,, and other products that lend money to homeowners. This compensation, however, does not influence the information we provide, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial deals that may be open to you. SHARE: Sinology/Getty Images
3 min read Published May 12, 2022
Kellye Guinan Kellye Guinan. Written personal and Business Finance Contributor Kellye Guinan is a freelance editor and writer with over five years of experience in personal financial. She is also employed full-time at the local library, where she assists her community access information about financial literacy, among other topics. Edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate from late 2021. They are dedicated to helping readers gain confidence to manage their finances with concise, well-researched and comprehensive information that breaks down complicated topics into bite-sized pieces. The Bankrate guarantee
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We receive compensation for placement of sponsored products or services, or when you click on specific links that are posted on our website. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order items are listed, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage or home equity products, as well as other home lending products. Other factors, like our own rules for our website and whether or not a product is available in the area you reside in or is within your personal credit score may also influence the way and place products are listed on this website. We strive to offer an array of offers, Bankrate does not include specific information on each credit or financial products or services. Car history reports can be an excellent source of information when looking into used vehicles, but when you’re buying a new car, the need for an inspection is crucial. Work with an outside mechanic, not associated with the seller to get an idea of possible areas of concern. Trustworthy dealers will allow this as part of the buying procedure, and you might be able to get an inspection via mobile if the private seller is reluctant to travel to an unknown mechanic. Be sure that your mechanic is certified and reliable to ensure that you’re not committing to repairs in the future. A thorough inspection is key in the purchase process. A pre-purchase inspection will give you an idea of the cosmetic and mechanical condition of the vehicle. This will not only aid in identifying potential problems however, it will give you the ability to cancel a purchase if the used vehicle doesn’t meet your requirements. If you are scheduled for an inspection, ask for a detailed account of the scope of the inspection and how the technician will go about seeking. You should receive a thorough list, including reviewing the exterior and interior for wear and damage. The mechanic should also examine the functioning of all the features in the car and the fluid levels. You should find a mechanic who can assess the steering, engine suspension, frame, and suspension as well as any signs of prior incidents or water damage. They should also use an instrument to read codes for any error codes that might indicate the existence of a problem. Should they find any, you should request an invoice for the appropriate repair. If you’ve got a written report, you’ll have the ability to negotiate to a better price or even find a better vehicle. It may be more time-intensive however it can save you thousands in repair costs if you identify a problem before it becomes an issue. When should you have the used vehicle inspected? You should avoid an official inspection until you’re sure of the . This could mean negotiating the cost as well as driving the vehicle and doing an inspection yourself first. If you’re sure that this is the car you would like, arrange for an auto mechanic on the move to meet you or collaborate with the seller to get the vehicle into a trusted shop. A pre-purchase inspection should be the final step before closing the purchase. After all, you do not want to invest money on a vehicle you’ll never buy. What is the cost of an inspection? An inspection will likely cost between $100 and $150, according to . However, the exact cost will vary based on the experience the mechanic has, age of the vehicle and known problems. Your mechanic should provide you with a price before you bring the car to. Just like taxes and charges, don’t tuck this expense into your loan. Budget for a used car inspection separately — and don’t schedule one until you’ve narrowed your choices to one vehicle that’s in good condition. There is always a chance you’ll never want to buy the vehicle but delaying the inspection until a negotiation in the last minute can help you avoid wasting money. How do you have a used car examined Ideally, an inspection should be done by a mechanic who you already have a relationship with. Most garages and auto repairs will inspect used vehicles. If your mechanic isn’t able to provide a recommendation, you can ask a shop that does. If you don’t have a reliable mechanic, look for local mechanics not associated with dealerships with good reviews from customers. There are reviews available on the shop’s Better Business Bureau page. Members of American Automobile Association (AAA) can look for a certified garage, or choose a mechanic who is recommended by the insurance company. Any mechanic you hire should get certified through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Another option is to employ an established national company that specializes in used-car inspections, such as Alliance Inspection Management, Carchex and Inspect My Ride. Ask for a vehicle inspection. Inspections are typically done at a shop or garage however there mechanics who offer mobile inspections. This may be more convenient for you if you’re working with a private dealer or dealer who doesn’t allow you to take an extended test drive. But, this option could be more costly than bringing your car to a repair shop. It’s a cost for convenience and it’ll most likely take some time before the technician can thoroughly examine the car. The internet is a great place to buy used cars and inspections Online used car sellers like Carvana and Vroom offer a week in which you can test drive the vehicle before finalizing the purchase. It gives you the chance to take it to your mechanic and have it inspected. Because the majority of online sellers do not allow negotiation on price, any mechanical issues discovered may be enough reason to take the vehicle back. If you’re purchasing a car that is not seen online, you must make it clear you want to have it examined by a mechanic prior to buying. The seller might not be happy with that — and that’s fine. There are plenty of cars available, and you should search rather than buying a car that hasn’t been checked. What next steps to take? Regardless of the type of inspection and inspection service you select be sure to get the report in writing and photographs of any areas of concern. This information will help when you are negotiating to purchase a pre-owned car should you decide to move ahead with the purchase. Find out more
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Written by Business and personal finance Contributor Kellye Guinan is a freelance editor and writer who has more than five years of experience in personal financial planning. She is also an employee full-time at her local library where she helps people in her community get information on financial literacy, in addition to other topics. Edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been writing and editing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to control their finances with clear, well-researched information that breaks down otherwise complex topics into manageable bites.
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