5 Reasons to Have a Pre-Purchase Vehicle Inspection
Everybody knows that a previously-owned vehicle is less expensive to purchase than a brand new one, but that’s not the only reason to choose to buy a car that has had an owner or two before you. Selecting a previously-owned vehicle can lower insurance costs and give you access to preferential financing rates.
With that in mind, it’s important to make sure that when purchasing a previously-owned vehicle, you don’t end up with a lot of headaches along with your new (to you) car. When buying a car, and especially an imported European automobile, a pre-purchase vehicle inspection is a wise investment.
Here are five reasons to have a pre-purchase vehicle inspection before you make your final purchasing decision.
Avoid Buying Trouble
A previous owner can give you a good sense of how they’ve maintained their car by turning over their service records. That’s a great start, but it doesn’t always give you a complete picture. For example, in the case of a vintage car, the service records may only show the work the most recent owner has performed, the prior history could be a little spotty.
A pre-purchase vehicle inspection provides a third party’s opinion of the condition of the vehicle, and that’s something that can be invaluable when the time comes to negotiate the final purchase price.
Get a View from the Bottom-Up
If you’re a very knowledgeable car enthusiast, you’ll be able to spot some obvious signs of trouble on your own. A visual inspection isn’t quite the same as one the one that occurs when an expert technician puts the car up on a lift to look for evidence of deterioration and fluid leaks.
The underside of the vehicle is a critical area for close inspection, and unless your garage at home is equipped with hydraulics, the kind of top-to-bottom review that occurs during a pre-purchase vehicle inspection just isn’t possible for most people.
Learn What the Future Holds
Most would-be buyers understand that maintenance for any previously-owned vehicle will be required at some point. However, the outlays for expenses like new brakes and tires are significant. Knowing whether significant repairs are short or long-term needs can mean the difference between a car you can afford, and one you can’t.
Stick to the Facts
Buying the car of your dreams is an emotional decision, and it’s really hard to make an objective decision when you have a personal stake in the matter. The expert technician inspecting your vehicle has no emotional investment in your ultimate purchase decision. Their assessment of a vehicle’s condition is based on facts, not feelings, and that neutrality can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Get More out of Your New Vehicle
We understand, perhaps better than most, that your car is more than a means to an end, it is a way of life. It may not be a financial investment, but your car can make an immeasurable contribution to your quality of life. This is especially true if you’re making the luxury vehicle purchase of your dreams. It makes good sense to make a small upfront investment in a pre-purchase inspection so that you can get more life out of your previously-owned vehicle.
Kelowna-based Motor Werke specializes in the repair and maintenance of European automobiles. Arranging a pre-purchase vehicle inspection with Motor Werke can save you thousands of dollars, and a lot of heartache.