Pre-Purchase Inspection
You've found the car that you need. The ad says it's in immaculate condition. How do you know if you are buying a gem or a lemon? The most overlooked step of buying a used car is a thorough inspection. Don't make the mistake of skipping a used car pre-purchase inspection.
What's Involved?
The standard pre purchase inspection covers all major safety components and notes all the other small details that can easily be missed.
There are many areas of a car that needs to be addressed. these include interior, exterior, engine compartment, under the vehicle and a road test.
A vehicle history check accompanies the whole inspection and lets a potential buyer know if the vehicle has been in an accident, written off or has money owing.
Interior
Most of your time will be spent in the cabin of the vehicle, so it is important that it is in a safe and desirable condition. As important as aesthetics are, interior conditions should reflect a safe and habitable environment. Key items checked are seatbelts, seats, controls, HVAC, infotainment system and documentation.
Exterior
As much as the exterior of the vehicle needs to be appealing, it is important to note the fine details that can tell the story of the car and whether it has been in an accident or not. Paintwork, rust, alignment of panels and lighting is all part of the pre-purchased inspection.
Engine Bay
The powerhouse of the vehicle lives in the engine bay. The battery, engine, transmission and almost all the electronics are housed in this compartment. Various tests and inspections are done to determine the condition of the parts. Large amounts of maintenance and repairs are required to keep the engine bay up to scratch, so it is important they are checked along with all the other compartments.
Under Vehicle
Without knowing what to look for, it is easy to miss the fine details that can show up under the vehicle. From damage to oil leaks, many components of the steering, suspension, engine and transmission can show up giving a very good hint of what the vehicle has been through. Checking these things are vital to obtaining an accurate inspection.
Road Test
Finally, the road test is what brings all the previous checks together. The overall satisfaction of the drive and handling on the road comes down to each and every component doing its part. Suspension, steering, handling and performance is all tested on the test drive reflecting the overall health of the vehicle.
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