The easiest answer to this question is to ensure you don’t buy a lemon. Kraken Automotive believes that every vehicle owner should be able to drive a safe and reliable vehicle, unfortunately some sellers aren’t quite as concerned of your safety and just look to offload the vehicle on someone. A Pre-Purchase Inspection for a Used Vehicle is kind of like an insurance policy that you’re buying a vehicle that will not leave you stalled on the side of the road.
Is It Worth the Money?
A pre-purchased used car inspection is definitely worth the money, even if your vehicle was dealer certified. Most don’t know that they have this option prior to purchasing a vehicle, but they do. Some may not want to spend money in doing do, but they should. If the dealer or private seller tries to fight you when you ask for an inspection, this means you should move on to the next vehicle on your list, they clearly have something to hide.
Things Included in the Pre-Purchase Inspection
A basic diagnostic reading is usually part of your inspection. If the vehicle is newer, our inspector will connect a diagnostic system check computer to get readouts of the overall vehicle health. If it’s older, the inspector will have to rely on experience, so make certain you hire a qualified used vehicle inspection service, as they will know what to look for.
Next it will include a comprehensive exam and test drive (when possible). This helps tell if the vehicle handles well. If it is not able to do so, the inspector can isolate any possible issues to help determine if it is worth fixing or continuing your search.
Who Should Inspect the Vehicle?
A qualified inspector will inspect any used vehicle you plan to purchase. Don’t trust your friend or neighbor who tinkers on cars on the weekend. A pre-purchase inspection should look at everything including the body and undercarriage. You might think you only need to check the engine, but body and undercarriage inspections are often overlooked and can reveal if it has been in a prior accident or has extreme rust damage, which will help you avoid costly repairs down the road.
Don’t run the risk of purchasing a used vehicle that could have fire, flood or even frame damage, or even shoddily maintained. Contact Kraken Automotive to request a free estimate and schedule your pre-purchase inspection today.
