Automotive: Why Seek an Inspection Prior to Buying

When you're going to be spending a significant amount of money on a vehicle, there are certain things that you need to consider before doing so. It doesn't matter how much or how little that amount is, especially in this economic climate, it's not a good thing to spend money on something that may not be what you expect. For instance, if you're purchasing a previously owned vehicle, it's said that you are inheriting someone else's problems. This is quite true, if you think about it. Why would someone want to get rid of a vehicle if there is nothing wrong with it?

When you consider a previously owned vehicle, especially one being sold by a private owner, you should consider having it inspected before handing over any money. Ask if you can test drive the vehicle, ask if they're willing to let you take it to be inspected by a mechanic before purchasing. Make sure that you know exactly what you're buying. Most independent mechanics and many shops will look over a vehicle that you're looking at for a small fee or even for free if you're planning to have them do the inspection that is required after the actual purchase is made.

When you take a vehicle for inspection prior to purchasing, you're saving yourself from finding out down the road that there are serious problems with it. If you spend fifty or a hundred dollars prior to purchase, then you can possibly save yourself hundreds, if not thousands of dollars down the road when something goes wrong. Which one would you prefer? Personally, with the number of lemons that are sitting on the side of the road for a quick sale, I'd be taking it to a mechanic before ever considering purchasing.

If you don't want to take a vehicle for a mechanic to inspect it, then there are a few key things that you should know and ask prior to purchasing.

1) Make sure you hear the car run, take it for a test drive if at all possible. Around the block, down the road, it doesn't matter as long as you get behind the wheel and make sure the car feels right when you drive it.

2) Ask when the fluids were last checked and/or changed. Oil, brake fluid, coolant, power steering, and transmission fluid are all important. If any of these are low or haven't been checked or have been allowed to go low, there can be things hiding out that you only find after driving the vehicle for a while.

3) Ask what work has been done and whether you can verify the dates with the person(s) that did the work. If there's nothing wrong, then the seller should be willing to give that information.

By asking the right questions and taking the proper precautions, it's not difficult to save a lot of money on a car that will last quite some time.