Buying a car is mostly considered a milestone of success. With the growing lifestyle and financial situation, people are more inclined to buy cars. But let’s face it, buying cars is expensive. Even the best of us cannot always buy cars within a few years of starting to earn a living. In that case, opting for a used car is a good and wise decision.
But is buying a used car as easy as you think it is? The answer is no. It is tricky and involves a lot of tampering. During a visual inspection of a used car, excited buyers tend to overlook the visible tampering and flaws in the car, which leads to future expenses.
But running a pre-purchase inspection or PPI on used cars can help you find out the existing flaws, or future problems that the car might face, assisting you in receiving an accurate car before you pay the final price to the seller.
If you are a novice buyer and do not know a thing about inspecting used cars, learn how to get a pre-purchase car inspection from this article.
What Is Pre-purchase Inspection or PPI?
Before you know the valuation of second-hand cars on CARS24 and move forward with any purchase, opting for a pre-purchase inspection of the car you plan to buy is essential.
Pre-purchase inspection refers to a detailed inspection of a car done by a certified mechanic or automobile specialist, which helps to find out the flaws in the car. It means the mechanic or the specialist will assess the used car’s mechanical condition, safety features, infotainment system, interior, exterior, engine, suspension, etc., to point out the problems that the car has or the car may have in the future.
With the pre-purchase inspection, you can realise if you want to purchase the car or look for better options.
Where Should You Contact If You Want To Get A Pre-purchase Inspection?
There are three ways to buy second-hand cars: from a used car showroom, a dealer and a private seller. If you buy a used car from a showroom, there is a high chance of being inspected on-site. However, you can contact a mechanic of your choice to run the pre-purchase inspection.
If you want to buy a second-hand car from a private dealer, you can contact a local and reliable automobile specialist or mechanic and call the seller to meet you at the same spot and get the car inspected.
Also, if you buy a used car from a dealer, you can ask them to recommend you a reliable mechanic. You can contact them to get your car inspected.
Contacting a brand specialist will also help you discover the car’s hidden problems. For example, if you buy a Toyota model, and the mechanic has a specialisation in Toyota, it will be easy for you to know the car’s problems better.
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What Are The Checklists You Should Follow When Inspecting A Used Car?
Pre-inspection of a used car is not enough, if you do not check it thoroughly. So, check the following things to understand the car’s present condition while inspecting the same.
1. Check The Electronics of The Car
The pre-purchase inspection is never complete without inspecting the car’s technology. There are various reasons why a car is considered good, and one of the reasons is its advanced technology. So, while hiring mechanics to check the car, ensure they check the car’s indicators, music system, air conditioner, heater (if there is any), automatic climate control (if there is any), power windows, fold-able mirrors, etc. because if these equipment are not checked, there is a high chance you will have to pay a large amount of money to get those done after buying the car.
2. Check The Battery and Leakage
Usually, a used car tends to have more than one leakage. If there is any leakage, the fuel may come out of the car, causing more problems. So, check for any leakage that may cause serious problems in the car. Do the checking while driving the car, then park it and wait for a little while and then check the car to find out any possible leakage.
Also, the car’s battery should be thoroughly checked too. It is one of the most important things in a car for which a car is able to perform well on the road. So, check the battery to ensure that the battery is not worn out.
3. Check The Engine
Before you run the valuation of second-hand cars, ensure your hired mechanic checks the car’s engine properly. Any car’s engine is the prime factor responsible for a car’s performance on the road. It is one of those things that determines a car’s overall well-being. So, checking the car’s engine is of utmost importance.
While going for a test drive, the car mechanic should look for any knocking sound from the engine. The knocking sound indicates that the car has some problem. Also, check if the car engine misfires while pressing the peddle.
Moreover, if you spot any smoke coming out of the back end of the car, it also indicates some problems in the car. In that case, talk to the mechanic you have hired for their expert opinion.
4. Check The Brake
A car’s brake is often overlooked while doing a pre-purchase inspection. Most people think a polished car may not have any problems with the brakes. But the truth is, brake problems may cost you your life. Since your life depends on the brakes when you ride a car, checking if the brake is fine is always a good idea. Do not be afraid of being aggressive when testing the brake before and during the test drive. If your mechanic suspects any problem with the brake, do not take the car for a test drive either.
5. Check If There Is Any Noise
If there is any noise coming out of the car, it is never a good sign. So, during the test drive of the car, check if the car is producing any noise while the engine is on. Open the windows, switch off the air condition and music system and observe the noise. If there is any, it is a red flag and suggests that the car has some problems or will cause some problems in the future.
6. Check The Tires
Another thing you should focus on while inspecting the car is its tires. Ensure the car’s tires are in good condition and have deep threads. If any of the tire’s rubber is bald, the tire must be replaced very soon. In that case, either ask the seller to change the tire or bargain to lower the selling price.
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Conclusion
Purchasing a used car involves a lot of activities. Since the car has already been used for a few years, it gets some wear and tear. However, some sellers prefer to paint the car a little and sell it for a good price. But a pre-purchase inspection thoroughly checks the car, letting the buyer know if there is any problem with the used vehicle. So, if you want to invest money in a useful vehicle, it is better to get your vehicle inspected by hiring an experienced mechanic.
