Buying a pre-owned vehicle can be an excellent choice if you’re looking to buy a car on a budget, enjoy older cars or aren’t interested in the newest models available. However, buying used can come with more issues and risks. Here are four reasons you should always get used cars inspected before purchasing them.
1. Not Every Used Car Is Immediately Safe To Drive
A pre purchase car inspection is an essential part of buying a used vehicle because it helps you determine whether a car is safe to drive or not. A test drive is typically also part of the vehicle purchasing process, but shouldn’t be done until after you get the inspection performed. This way, you’ll know in advance whether the car has safety issues or other problems that may mean it shouldn’t be driven immediately and can request that those issues be addressed before you consider test driving or purchasing the vehicle.
2. The Older the Vehicle, the more Issues There May Be
As vehicles age, they become more likely to experience mechanical issues and failures. Parts may become more difficult to find and there may be fewer mechanics with the expertise to service the vehicle. Older cars may also have outdated safety features or parts that have been recalled. You should always get an inspection performed on an older vehicle to check these things. For example, you should always get a classic car pre purchase inspection because classic cars tend to be older and come with more associated safety issues and potential risks.
3. Independent Mechanics Can Provide Unbiased Results
If possible, you should contact a mechanic independent from the person or dealership selling the car to perform the inspection. You can contact your usual mechanic if you see one regularly, or you can search online for a reputable mechanic in your area and schedule the inspection. An independent mechanic is more likely to provide unbiased, expert results. A seller may not be willing to agree to allow an independent mechanic to look at the car, but you should always ask.
4. It Can Help You Negotiate the Price
Getting a used car inspected can help you negotiate pricing with the seller. While there is some negotiation involved in purchasing new vehicles, there is more flexibility in the negotiations for used cars. When you get an inspection performed, your mechanic may find several issues that need to be addressed before the car is safe and drivable. If this happens, you will have important leverage for negotiation. You can then discuss your options with the dealer. There are two common scenarios in this type of situation. First, you may be able to agree to the seller’s price if he or she fixes the issues. Second, you may offer to purchase the vehicle as is and address the issues yourself if the seller is willing to lower the price.
You should always conduct careful research before making any large purchases, including vehicles. If you choose to buy a pre-owned vehicle, make sure you get an inspection performed by a reputable and experienced mechanic before finalizing your purchase.
