![]() ![]() Before you get started, you should get a few more details from the current seller that might not be answered in the vehicle history report or reviews you have read. You have now arrived in person to inspect the vehicle in question. An OBD scan tool is helpful if you have one. A cloth will come in handy when it is time to check the oil. A flashlight and magnet will help you find hidden damage and hard-to-see areas of the vehicle. You should also carry a flashlight, a magnet, and a cloth or paper towel. Things to Bring: Lastly, you will want to gather a few things to bring with you when you finally inspect a potential used vehicle. You can even use the free VINCheck database from the National Insurance Crime Bureau to see reported thefts or salvage titles. The IIHS and NHTSA will provide safety and recall information. Resources like Consumer Reports and Car Complaints are helpful for showing problematic makes, models, brands, and model years. Knowing what to expect will help you plan accordingly. Every vehicle will eventually have its issues. You can see what experts say about them, how they are expected to operate, and what they should feel like. There is a myriad of sites that review vehicles, including Autolist. Vehicle Research and Info: Another step you should take is to research the make and model of the vehicle you are looking to purchase. When looking through Carfax and Autocheck reports, look for things like odometer reports, service records, reported title events, and accident records. Having one is infinitely better than not having one, but contrary to what many believe, a vehicle history report may not show every single historical event in any given vehicle’s past.Ĭarfax and Autocheck are the two premier vehicle history reporting services available, but there are some other free VIN checking resources available that can give some basic historical information. These reports are not always perfect, though. They show events reported to the previous owner’s insurance company. They can cost anywhere between $25 and $100, but they are worth it. Vehicle History Report: If a dealership or private seller does not provide a vehicle history report, you should always use the vehicle’s VIN to get one yourself. Sellers that are hesitant to provide details like the odometer reading or vehicle identification number, and those selling a vehicle “as-is” should garner extra caution. For listings that do have pictures, you can begin to get an idea of the vehicle’s condition. ![]() Some will note in the advertisement to ask if you want more details.Īny listing with only a few pictures or low-quality pictures should raise red flags. If they provide a ton of details and pictures, it usually means they are serious about selling the vehicle and that they have nothing to hide. If you are looking at a private listing, the amount of information they provide will often tell you much about the vehicle in question. Many dealerships will have a comprehensive set of photos and often have a complimentary vehicle history report included in the listing. It can be tedious, but it is arguably one of the most important parts of any used car inspection checklist.Įxamine the Listing: One of the first and easiest parts of the prep work is to look at the listing for the vehicle. This part of the inspection is often overlooked. Do the Prep Work:īefore ever stepping foot at the dealership or meeting a private seller in person, you should do some prep work on the used vehicle in question. It never hurts to conduct another inspection yourself. Certified pre-owned vehicles often have to pass their own inspection checklist to become certified, but you can always ask to see what is on that checklist. Your own used car inspection checklist will help you methodically work through the ins and outs of any pre-owned vehicle so you can have relative confidence that what you are buying is worth the asking price.Ī used car checklist is especially important when buying a used vehicle from a private seller, but even a pre-owned vehicle offered by a dealership can have hidden issues. In order to do everything possible to avoid a used car buying nightmare, you should conduct a thorough inspection of any used car yourself. Even a vehicle history report and full inspection may not uncover some of the deepest secrets hiding within a used car’s past. You do not need to worry about its condition, how it has been treated, or if will have any hidden mechanical defects. When it is time to buy a new car, you can be sure that nobody else besides the dealership has had it before you. ![]()
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