{"id":839,"date":"2020-01-24T15:27:34","date_gmt":"2020-01-24T21:27:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mymechanic.net\/?p=839"},"modified":"2020-01-24T15:27:34","modified_gmt":"2020-01-24T21:27:34","slug":"why-getting-a-pre-owned-vehicle-inspection-is-smart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mymechanic.net\/2020\/01\/24\/why-getting-a-pre-owned-vehicle-inspection-is-smart\/","title":{"rendered":"Why a Pre-Owned Vehicle Inspection is Better Before you Buy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you considering buying a pre-owned (\u201cused\u201d) car, truck, or SUV? This really is a smart move when you find the right vehicle at the right price. New cars are worth less money the moment you take ownership and drive them off the lot. Even though we love the smell and feel of a new car, let\u2019s face it, buying them new is rarely a good investment.<\/p>\n

Many pre-owned vehicles you see on dealer lots are trade-ins, leased vehicles or \u201cprogram\u201d vehicles (vehicles used in an advertisement). Occasionally you might find a \u201cloaner\u201d car, but more often you will find buybacks. Buybacks are new car sales that have fallen through for a variety of reasons.<\/p>\n

When you consider that a pre-owned vehicle may have as few as 1,000 miles, purchasing these beauties makes perfect sense. Perfect sense, as long as you get a pre-owned vehicle inspection first<\/em>.<\/p>\n

What is a Pre-Owned Vehicle Inspection?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First, let\u2019s talk about dealers. While dealers should<\/em> do a thorough pre-owned inspection, to say that some of them \u201coverlook\u201d (don\u2019t want to pay for repairs) certain items would be an understatement. Many dealers will have the meticulously detailed inside and out but ignore some repairs in hope that the beauty of that waxed hood will keep you from noticing.<\/p>\n

A private owner sometimes has a pre-owned vehicle inspection done and happily gives you a copy, but do you know the name of the shop that did the inspection? Believe it or not, you can purchase pre-owned vehicle inspection forms online that look very, very real. Unfortunately, if you try to call or find this repair shop, they don\u2019t exist. It would be worth your while to pay for an inspection out of your own pocket. Have the seller go with you. If they balk and refuse to let you do this, it\u2019s time to walk away.<\/p>\n

Thinking of taking your Uncle Joe along to check out the car? Trust us, unless Uncle Joe is an ASE certified mechanic, he can\u2019t do the complete inspection the car deserves.<\/p>\n

Even a Dealer Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Certified pre-owned vehicles from the dealer seem like a sure thing, right? CPO\u2019s, or certified pre-owned, are often the cream of the used car lot. They often have lower miles and have a clean history with no reported accidents. Nearly all dealers will extend the warranty on the vehicle. They will even offer extra perks, such as free roadside assistance for a year, free loaner vehicles while the car is in warranty, etc. These are some sweet perks, but remember nothing is free. CPO\u2019s also cost more than other pre-owned cars.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that the car will still be covered by its original manufacturer’s warranty. Some of these warranties can be as long as 5 years\/50,000 miles. This warranty goes with the car, not the buyer. So, you can still use it if the vehicle is within the specified range of that manufacturer.<\/p>\n

Whether you choose to accept the dealer’s \u201ccertified\u201d vehicle because it is still under warranty (so if anything IS wrong, you don\u2019t have to pay) or if you ask to take the car for another inspection is up to you. This is a personal preference since some people don\u2019t mind taking the car back to the dealer multiple times if it\u2019s not coming out of their pocket. On the other hand, others want the peace of mind that comes with an additional pre-owned inspection.<\/p>\n

Is that Carfax Program Worth the Money? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Probably. Especially if you are considering multiple cars. Use this service by entering the VIN (vehicle identification number: you can find it on a tag under the windshield) to discover who previously owned the vehicle, where it was sold, if it was involved in any major accidents, if it came from a car rental company, etc.<\/p>\n

We aren\u2019t pushing any of these services. There are plenty of them out there, but Carfax is probably the best known. Armed with this information, in addition to a vehicle inspection, can really pay off and potentially save you thousands.<\/p>\n

One last thing we must mention: Consumer Reports has a list of what they consider to be the worst used car models that you should avoid. You can find that list here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Why is a Pre-Owned Vehicle Inspection So Important? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

We understand. No one wants to spend their money on something they can\u2019t see the benefit of. However, no matter how beautiful and perfect that car might look on the inside, there could be a big problem lurking just under the surface. Think of an inspection as an inexpensive form of insurance. It will let you know everything that is wrong or going bad, so you don\u2019t buy a lemon.<\/p>\n

A pre-owned inspection will show you:<\/p>\n