Chapter Thirteen
134 point inspection? Really!
No piece of car buying advice is more often ignored than having a mechanic do a Pre" Purchase Inspection on a used car. Way to often, people lay out thousands of dollars on a car because of emotion instead of taking a drive down to a mechanic who could save them thousands of dollars.
So maybe you don’t want to spend the extra money for an inspection? Fine, don’t complain about the repair costs because you chose not to have it inspected!
I have yet to have someone tell me I can’t take their car in for an inspection before I buy it. If they did, then red flags and whistles would go off all over the place.
Are those pre"qualified used cars for sale any better, usually not. More than ever, this is when you should get a second independent opinion. These car dealers sell cars. Their job is to make the most profit they can on a car. Don’t think for a minute they are going to put in any more than they have to into your new found car. Case in point, I had a customer come last week that bought a used car from one of these places 6 months ago. He was in because of a noise in the rear end. He stated "I bought it six months ago and am sure everything is in good standing, but while it is here go and give it a once over." Does this look like it was pre"inspected and replaced?
Always, always, always get a second opinion to make sure nothing is wrong with the car. I knew a guy that bought a motor home four states away. He didn’t get a Pre" Purchase Inspection and it ended up costing him thousands of dollars before he even got home.
A general inspection can run you $49"$99, so why wouldn’t you do that? I can’t tell you how many used car inspections I have done, and found out there wasn’t a jack with the spare, or the spare was flat. I know what you’re thinking… I won’t need it; I have towing insurance. Yup until it happens one night late in a rain storm in the middle of nowhere and you don’t have cell coverage. And how about hidden problems with the body, frame or engine? Or hidden engine codes that could reveal major engine problems? Maybe the previous Bubba that worked on it left bolts loose and parts out. Think I’m kidding? Think again! I have seen it all. There are times the car needs a new engine or transmission before they can sell the car. Do you think they take it to the best guy in town? Hell No! They find the shadiest shade tree mechanic that will get the job done so they can sell it "As Is!" What about flood damage? Has the car been in a flood? Well, you will never know if you don’t get it inspected.
The best money you can ever spend is to get your used car pre"inspected before you buy it. If you are buying from a dealer, ask for a warranty or find out if they will stand behind you if you have a problem. There are some that do an excellent job with this. They are the guys that look at having you as a long term customer. They are far and few between, but do exist.
So next time before you buy a used car, save your mechanic grief from having to listen to you complain about your car repair and yourself headaches and financial strain; get your next used car Pre"Inspected.
“Did you know that dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish?”