NEWS
A pre-purchase car inspection is an important step when buying a used car. It involves taking the vehicle you’re interested in purchasing to — ideally — a trusted mechanic for an inspection to determine what, if any, issues the vehicle has that you may not have discovered in your walkaround or test drive.
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Photos, in-person walkarounds and test drives can only reveal so much information about a vehicle. So if you’re not a mechanic or an expert in a particular vehicle, a second opinion from an expert, trusted mechanic can be invaluable when it comes to negotiating a fair price or avoiding buying a used car with hidden issues.
Depending on where the car is located or the particular car you’re investigating, it may not be possible to use your preferred mechanic. In that case, online research can help you turn to a nearby expert or locate a mobile inspector who can come to the car.
Expect to pay around $100 for these services; that’s the estimate of the Federal Trade Commission, while Repair Pal pegs the estimated average pre-purchase inspection cost at $136-$173. And if you’re involving a specialist in a particularly unique or rare vehicle, expect to pay even more. That may seem daunting, but it could save you thousands in future repairs or lower the price to a point where fixing any issues isn’t financially burdensome.
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Also remember that if the seller seems resistant or refuses to agree to a pre-purchase inspection, it may be time to find a different vehicle for sale. It’s also important, whenever possible, to find an independent inspector, not one associated with the private seller or dealership selling the vehicle, to ensure that the inspection is honest and aboveboard.
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