The Sound Reasoning Behind a Pre-Purchase Inspection

There are many ways to check out a car before you buy it. You can go online and check the Carfax status, or look on Edmunds.com or Cars.com and make sure the amount you offer is within the range of market value. You can even research common issues a vehicle may have and compare that to the Carfax report to see if it has ever been serviced for that issue.

The one thing you can’t do online is a good old-fashioned physical inspection by a certified technician. A “Pre-Purchase Inspection” can be the best money you will ever spend. Some people are afraid to have the inspection done in fear that nothing will be wrong with the vehicle and they spent the money “unnecessarily.” The truth is exactly the opposite. You want to learn that the car needs nothing so you’ll have confidence when you buy it. 

If defects or service needs are found, then you can use that info in two ways. If the vehicle ends up needing too much service, then you dodged a bullet – which is money well spent. If it only needs minor service but still looks to be a good vehicle (which is what happens most often) then you’re armed with the knowledge of what needs to be done to get the car up to your standards. You can then negotiate the sale accordingly.

Often, we do a “Post-Purchase Inspection” which can sometimes be very bad. We have inspected vehicles numerous times that were purchased first and then brought to us only to find that the vehicle needs so much work that it’s not worth doing, or it exceeds the value of your vehicle. This scenario is what makes the first scenario we described (Pre-Purchase Inspection showing the car needs nothing) the best possible outcome with no need to be afraid of spending the money.

Bottom line: if you’re considering purchasing a vehicle, bring it to ArborMotion for an inspection by our ASE certified technicians that will either save you money, save you from a huge mistake or give you the confidence that the vehicle you’re considering is a sound purchase. Make it a win-win no matter the outcome.

ArborMotion: Foreign Car Repair in Ann Arbor You Can Trust.

At ArborMotion, we specialize in foreign car repair in Ann Arbor. All our technicians are ASE certified and three have ASE Master Technician certifications. If you want a reputable technician who specializes in your brand of vehicle, schedule an appointment with us today.