You can pay more for a detailed check of the bodywork and interior features such as electric windows, air conditioning, upholstery and carpets. If you are buying a specialist model such as a sports car or 4x4 motor, be sure to use an experienced specialist for that type of vehicle.
A history check is as important as the mechanical inspection. This is to guarantee that the car has never been declared an insurance write-off, stolen and sold under a new identity, or sold with money still being owed on it.
Generally speaking, the more thorough the inspection, the more it costs. Cars with bigger engines can cost more to check, as they tend to be larger and more complicated. There are a wide range of organisations offering a used car inspection service. We can also assess your vehicle's fare market value to give you peace of mind when considering how much the vehicle is worth.
Add a Market Value Assessment to your order in the checkout process! Receive a phone call when you receive your report from one of our in house professional staff members. To help you gain a greater understanding of your report, we will explain your report in detail to make sure you have a complete understanding of the vehicle.
Inspections are typically completed within two business days, depending on the inspector's schedule, the seller's schedule, and the weather. Reports are usually uploaded the following morning that the inspection is done. Inspections that are completed on Friday will have the report reviewed on Saturday morning. We do our best to complete inspections by the next business day as long as the seller makes the car available for review and the inspection is ordered early enough the day before.
Occasionally, the seller's schedule, the inspector's schedule or the weather may cause a delay. Please note we cannot guarantee a date of an inspection due to factors outside our control. Customers are encouraged to plan accordingly and make arrangements to hold a vehicle if necessary. We have a better chance of getting the inspection done faster, the sooner you place your order.
We do not schedule inspections on weekends. Reports can not be expedited. We do our very best to get them out as soon as possible. What happens if they sell the vehicle I ordered an inspection on? If the vehicle sells before we get there, we will put your order on hold while you look for another vehicle. When you find another vehicle you'd like us to inspect, we'll transfer the details and send our inspector right away!
Pedals: The rubber on the brake, clutch, and gas pedals gives an indication of use. Instruments and controls: Turn on the ignition switch without starting the engine. You should make sure all the warning lights—including the check-engine light—illuminate for a few seconds and go off when you start the engine.
Note whether the engine is hard to start when cold and if it idles smoothly. Then try out every switch, button, and lever. With the engine running, turn on the heater full blast to see how hot it gets, and how quickly. Switch on the air conditioning and make sure it quickly blows cold. If the car has a CD player, try loading and ejecting a disc.
Roof: Check the headliner and roof trim for stains or sags to see whether water is leaking through ill-fitting doors or windows.
Check to see that the sunroof or moonroof opens and closes properly and seals well when shut. Inspect a convertible top for tears by shining a flashlight up into it. Trunk: Use your nose as well as your eyes. Sniff and look for signs of water entry.
See whether the carpeting feels wet or smells musty, and check the spare-tire well for water or rust. First inspect the general condition of the engine bay. Dirt and dust are normal, but be wary if you see oil splattered about or on the pavement below. Also be on the lookout for a battery covered with corrosion, or wires and hoses hanging loose.
The rubber should be firm and supple, not rock-hard, cracked, or mushy. Feel the drive belts to determine whether they are frayed. Engine oil should be dark brown or black but not gritty. If the oil is honey-colored, it was just changed. If the dipstick has water droplets on it or shows gray or foamy oil, it could indicate a cracked engine block or blown head gasket, two serious problems.
Check the automatic-transmission fluid with the engine warmed up and running. On some vehicles, the dipstick has two sets of marks for checking when the engine is either cold or warm.
Power-steering and brake fluids should be within the safe zone. The coolant should be greenish or orange, not a milky or rusty color.
Greenish stains on the outside of the radiator are a sure sign of leaks. These reveal the condition of just one cell and might not give an accurate reading on the health of the whole battery. If the battery has filler caps, wipe off the top with a rag, then carefully pry off or unscrew the caps to look at the liquid level.
A low level may mean that the battery has been working too hard. Any competent mechanic can check out the charging system and do a load test on the battery. Electric vehicles and hybrids: Make sure the battery is fully charged before a test drive, so you can observe its projected range. For hybrids, check the in-car display to ensure that the battery is charging and discharging while you drive.
If you can find where the vehicle is usually parked, look for marks from old puddles of gasoline, oil, coolant, or transmission fluid. The report should supplement rather than substitute an independent inspection. Mobile Car Inspection Where you take a used car for inspection largely depends on the options available to you. If a dealer objects to your taking a car offsite for inspection, you may have to find someone who can inspect it on the lot. The mechanic should check, among other items, the engine, transmission, suspension, wheels, and electrical systems.
Go with the mechanic on a test drive and ask about any issues that come up. Even without your asking, the mechanic should inspect the car against a checklist and give you a comprehensive report when he is done.
A mobile inspector could also be your only option if you are buying from a distance or cannot make it to the inspection. He can take close-up photographs of any damage the car has, advise you on its condition and reliability, and tell you right away if it is a good buy. The report he or she generates on the state of the car should come directly to you and not through the seller.
Although mobile car inspections are fast and convenient, they are not as comprehensive as auto diagnostic clinics. A mechanic will only carry a jack, code reader, and other light equipment to the dealership lot. Automobile Repair Shops An auto repair shop, on the other hand, can hoist the car and examine the undercarriage for bends, misalignments, and other signs of frame damage.
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