Buying a used car can be an affordable way to get a great set of wheels, but it does come with some risks. Without a professional pre-purchase inspection, major issues with the car may go unnoticed until after you've signed on the dotted line and driven it off the lot. Getting a thorough inspection before buying can help give you peace of mind that you’re making a solid investment or alert you to serious problems that should make you walk away from the deal. Here’s a detailed look at why a pre-purchase inspection is essential when buying any previously owned vehicle.
Understand What’s Covered in an Inspection
A pre-purchase inspection consists of a technician thoroughly going through all the major components and systems of the car you’re considering buying. Exact inspection checklists can vary by shop or mechanic, but in general, these are the major areas that will be evaluated:
Engine - Are there any leaks, knocks, pings, or other suspicious engine noises? How does oil look? Any issues with belts, hoses, or accessories? A compression test on the cylinders may also be performed.
Transmission - Smooth shifting between gears? Any slipping or hard shifts? Fluid levels correct? Signs of leaks?
Drivetrain - Condition of axle boots, CV joints, driveshaft, differential, transfer case (4WD/AWD vehicles)
Suspension & Steering - Check for worn or damaged components like ball joints, tie rods, bushings, struts & shocks. Also check wheel bearings, power steering pump & hoses, and steering gearbox.
Tires - Measure tread depth at various spots to check for uneven wear. Check sidewalls & tire age/date codes. Ensure spare tire & jack equipment are in good shape.
Brakes - Check brake pads, rotors, calipers, brake lines & hoses for wear and leaks. Test the brake pedal for proper feel and check the emergency brake function. Measure brake pad thickness.
Electrical System - Check all exterior lights, wipers, gauges, warning lights, and electronics. Diagnose any warning light issues. Test battery and charging system voltage & amps.
Computer Diagnostics - Hook up a scan tool to check all computer sensors, solenoids, modules, and systems for trouble codes or malfunctions. Evaluates OBDII diagnostics.
Body Condition - Check panels, doors, hood, and trunk for accident damage, rust, or paint issues. Note any body repairs needed or flaws.
In addition to thoroughly inspecting all the vehicle's major systems and components, a pre-purchase inspection will also usually involve a test drive to check for any issues while the car is operating. The mechanic will listen and feel for anything troublesome.
Catching Big & Small Issues Before Purchase
Getting a used car professionally checked over before purchase is the only sure way to identify both minor problems and major mechanical defects before you finalize the transaction. Without an inspection, you won’t know if you’re buying a lemon until it’s likely too late or very costly to back out.
A thorough pre-purchase inspection has the potential to uncover a whole range of problems that could influence your decision to buy the used vehicle or negotiate a lower price:
Serious Mechanical Defects Revealed
- Engine smoking or burning oil
- Transmission slipping, jerking, or hard shifting
- Leaking head gasket or cracked engine block
- Bad catalytic converter needing replacement
- Failed emissions components for failing smog test
Major Repairs Needed Soon
- Brake pads, rotors, and calipers down to 15% or less life left
- Tires are worn down near tread wear indicators
- Exhaust leak or corroded muffler/tailpipe
- Suspension components like ball joints or control arms are excessively worn
- Leaking shocks or struts
Minor Issues
- Worn belts/hoses near replacement interval
- Damaged battery requiring earlier replacement
- Oil leaks from valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, etc.
- Previous accident damage or poor-quality body repairs
- Ignition coils, spark plugs, wires needing replacement
- Dashboard warning lights illuminated
- ABS/traction control lights staying on
- Other sensor trouble codes present
Without noticing any of these more minor issues, you may end up paying the full asking price for a vehicle that needs unexpected repairs much sooner than it should. Catching minor problems early helps give you a more accurate picture of the true condition of the vehicle.
Peace of Mind Buying As-Is Vehicles
Most used cars sold by private parties or smaller independent lots will be sold “as-is” with no warranty protection. This transfers the full risk of any mechanical defects or immediate repairs onto the buyer – which could quickly turn that bargain-used car into a money pit.
Inspecting an as-is car first assures what you’re getting into or gives you grounds to try negotiating with the seller for a lower price. Don’t take a gamble buying used cars as-is without getting a professional pre-purchase inspection report first.
Spotting Signs of Neglect or Abuse
In addition to catching any current mechanical issues, a thorough inspection performed by an experienced technician can often identify signs of long-term neglect or abuse by previous owners.
Warning signs may include:
- Abnormal rust & corrosion in some areas
- Lots of deferred maintenance items stacking up
- Missing service history records
- Excessive dirt buildup in engine bay, underbody
- Late or missed oil changes
- Aftermarket modifications poorly installed
- Other indications car was heavily used & put away wet
These clues can give you insight into how well the previous owner truly cared for the vehicle – information just as valuable as catching any current mechanical defects.
Compare Issues to Vehicle History Report
An essential companion tool when buying used is getting a comprehensive vehicle history report from sources like Carfax or Autocheck. A full report will detail the car’s previous owners, title history, accident reports, mileage records, maintenance logs, lemon history, and more.
However, history reports have gaps – not all accidents get reported or picked up by insurance companies. And they don’t assess the current mechanical condition. Comparing a car’s vehicle history report with what gets uncovered in the pre-purchase inspection is powerful.
If the report comes back clean but the inspection uncovers collision repairs or the check engine light is on, its sign issues are falling through the cracks. Cross-check VIN reports and inspection findings to feel fully confident before purchase.
Negotiate Repairs or Lower the Price
Armed with a professional pre-purchase inspection report detailing mechanical issues, bodywork problems, or other defects impacting reliability and longevity, you’re now in a strong position to negotiate with the seller.
There are two paths to take:
1. Ask the seller to repair issues before purchase – For minor issues like worn brakes or new tires needed soon, request the seller get these items fixed themselves before buying. This ensures you get a vehicle needing fewer repairs soon after purchase.
2. Negotiate lower purchase price – If the inspection uncovers major engine or transmission issues, body repairs from an accident, previous flood damage, or other big-ticket items, use these findings as leverage to negotiate the asking price downward to compensate for these defects. Then you can decide whether to take on repairs yourself later or if it's still worthwhile buying.
Either way, an inspection gives you crucial information about the true condition of the vehicle to negotiate more favorable purchase terms rather than overpaying for problems you didn’t know about.
Avoid Costly Post-Purchase Surprises
Finding mechanical defects, collision repairs, flood damage, or other problems only after you’ve purchased and driven the used car home is any buyer’s worst nightmare. At this point, you’re stuck with no option but to pay expensive repair bills on a car you just paid good money to buy. Ouch!
Getting an independent inspection before finalizing a used vehicle purchase helps eliminate most nasty surprises down the road. Take the time to get potential used cars checked over first – it’s cheaper than regretting it later when faced with a lemon of a vehicle threatening your wallet and safety.
Different Levels of Inspections Available
While a standard pre-purchase inspection is recommended anytime you’re considering buying a previously-owned car, more extensive inspection options are also available for added peace of mind:
Standard Pre-Purchase Inspection
- Check over all major systems & components
- Test drive vehicle
- About 1-2 hours labor
- Costs ~ $100-$150 on average
Enhanced/Detailed Inspection
- Includes everything in standard inspection plus:
- More extensive testing of engine compression, electrical voltage/amperage, computer diagnostics
- Closer examination of brakes, suspension, driveline
- Extra test drive time, highway driving
- 3 or more hours of labor
- Costs ~$200-$300+
Specialty Inspections
- Alignment Check
- Transmission Leak Check with Fluid Flush
- Flood / Water Damage Checks
- Body Integrity Inspections Checking for Collision Repairs
- Other specialty inspections available
Consider Mileage and age When Choosing the Level of Inspection
Higher mileage and older used vehicles deserve the extra attention of an enhanced inspection over a basic inspection. However, even relatively new, low-mileage used cars benefit from a standard pre-purchase inspection to sniff out problems. Don’t mistakenly assume just because a car looks shiny and new that it's fine mechanically.
Find the Right Shop or Mechanic You Can Trust
Where you get the used car inspection done is almost as important as having it done in the first place. An incomplete inspection by a sloppy mechanic won’t give you the right information. Prioritize these factors when picking an inspector:
- ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Shop or certified technicians preferred
- Specialization in your particular vehicle make – European, Japanese, Domestic
- Knowledgeable about common issues with the exact year, make & model car inspected
- Use updated computer scan tools to read vehicle diagnostic codes
- Clean inspection facility with the latest equipment
- Thorough written inspection reports detailing all issues test by test
- Photos/videos provided of issues discovered
- References from past customers available
Check reviews online of mechanic shops in your area to find ones meeting these criteria. If possible, try taking your car to a candidate shop first for a basic service like an oil change. Observe their customer service and facility first-hand before trusting them with a pre-purchase inspection.
While dealerships sometimes offer vehicle inspections, keep in mind their technicians work for dealer profits rather than buyer interests. Independent shops usually provide more impartial inspections.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping inspection trying to save money
- Trusting a seller's verbal claims about condition over an objective inspection
- Using a basic test drive only to gauge car condition
- Having a dealership that's selling the car inspect their vehicle
- Letting a buddy "take a quick look" rather than a pro mechanic
Get quotes from a few respected shops in your local area before picking one. Prices and the exact scope of work can vary. Also, confirm what’s covered under an inspection – some shops charge extra for test drives or computer scans for example.
Know Inspections Aren’t Foolproof
While professional pre-purchase inspections are extremely helpful for due diligence on used cars, they can’t catch every issue 100% of the time. Intermittent problems may not crop up during a short test drive. Even experienced mechanics can occasionally miss something or face difficulties assessing certain vehicle areas.
But your odds for a smooth ownership experience are still far better than having an inspection done versus flying blind without one. Think of an inspection as drastically reducing your risks, not eliminating them. Protections like extended warranties can also provide a safety net down the road.
Look Beyond Initial Price Tag
It's tempting to focus purely on the listed transaction price when evaluating used car deals. But smarter buyers look at overall value accounting for any hidden costs or likely repairs needed shortly after purchase.
A cheaper listing price doesn't mean much if you must immediately sink $2,000 into a transmission rebuild the seller failed to disclose before you can drive the car. The real-world price you pay factors in inspection findings.
An old saying from the wise elder Ben Franklin applies here: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”. Buying used with “as-is” blinders on chasing initial sticker deals often leads to this bitter scenario playing out.
Consider an Inspection a Worthwhile Investment
You’re making a major purchase decision where potentially tens of thousands of dollars are on the line. A pre-purchase inspection costing around $100 or more is minimal insurance for avoiding expensive mechanical pitfalls and confirming you select a sound, reliable used car.
Skipping an inspection may temporarily save you a little cash upfront. But that penny-wise, pound-foolish thinking can lead to way costlier problems once you drive the car home. View a professional inspection as an investment towards smarter decision-making, not an unnecessary expense.
Bottom Line Benefits
Having a used car professionally inspected before finalizing a purchase:
- Uncovers serious mechanical defects early before the transaction finalized
- Allows negotiating with seller for repairs or lower price
- Provides objective information to determine real value & condition
- Catches signs of previous abuse or neglect
- Generates repair estimates useful for budgeting future costs
- Reduces chances of post-purchase headaches & expenses
- Gives peace of mind for as-is purchases with no warranty
In summary, you wouldn’t buy a house without a home inspection, so why buy a used car without having a professional mechanic check under the hood? Just like your home, a used vehicle’s hefty price tag deserves an expert inspection protecting this major investment. Test driving and eyeballing a used car alone leaves you vulnerable to stability-altering surprises. Don’t learn this lesson the hard way – schedule a quality pre-purchase inspection before your next used car purchase.