Helping You Stay Driven
Comprehensive Pre-Purchase Inspections in Fremont, CA
When purchasing a used vehicle, whether from an individual or a used car dealership, you should always have your auto tech do a pre-purchase inspection. Even used vehicles cost a pretty penny, and you don’t want your investment to go to waste. The auto technicians at Driven Auto Care in Fremont, CA can do pre-purchase inspections when you test drive a used vehicle.
Why Should I Invest Time and Money in a Pre-Purchase Inspection?
A pre-purchase inspection is an excellent safety net when you are ready to spend thousands of dollars on a used vehicle. It can save you a ton of heartache and money. Benefits of a pre-purchase inspection include:
- Uncover Hidden Issues: Most sellers are not going to tell you when there is something wrong with a vehicle as they are trying to unload it. If they can hide a major problem, they will. A pre-purchase inspection can uncover issues such as frame damages, engine problems, and rust, among other issues.
- Save Money: If you have your heart set on a specific vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection can save you money. Once you learn of a problem, you can use that knowledge to negotiate a lower price in exchange for the amount it will cost you to repair the problem. If the problem costs more than the vehicle is worth, you’ll know to drop the transaction.
- Safety Issues: Some hidden defects could jeopardize your safety. An experienced auto technician will look for safety issues to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive.
What is a Pre-Purchase Inspection?
When you bring a vehicle in for a pre-purchase inspection, you receive a complete evaluation of the vehicle’s condition, including:
- Visual Inspection: We check the vehicle’s interior and exterior, signs of the vehicle being in an accident, rust, wear and tear on upholstery, and frame damage.
- Body Damage: Inspect the exterior of the vehicle for imperfections and damage on the body.
- Interior: Check over the interior to ensure all materials and technology are intact and functioning appropriately.
- Mechanical Inspection: The engine, transmission, suspension, steering, brakes, and exhaust all receive a visual inspection. We also check for fluid leaks.
- Electrical and Electronics Check: Check the lights, power door locks and windows, audio, backup cameras, and other electronics.
- Test Drive: During the test drive, we assess braking, handling, acceleration, and overall performance. During the test drive, we also listen to noises and determine if the transmission shifts properly. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, we also check the clutch.
- Computer Diagnostics: Run our scan tools on the vehicle to scan for error codes and ensure the check engine light is working.
- Frame and Undercarriage Inspection: Check for frame damage, rust, and other structural issues.
- Wheel and Tire Inspection: Wheel alignment, balance, tire condition, and overall wheel condition. The wheel alignment will also show us issues with the suspension and steering.
- Fluid Analysis: Look for contamination in the coolant, oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and brake fluid. Oil contaminated with water signifies a head gasket issue or a problem with the heads. Exhasut bubbling into the radiator also signifies a head gasket or problem with the heads.
- Heating and Air Conditioning Check: Check the HVAC system to ensure both are working properly. We check temperature, refrigerant pressure, and whether the speeds and vents are all working.
- Starting and Charging: We check the battery and alternator to ensure they are working. We also check the starter.
- Belts and Hoses: We’ll check the serpentine belt, but we can’t check the timing belt without tearing down the front of the engine. We also check hoses for dry rot and leaks.
When completed, we’ll create an inspection report for you. The report includes the vehicle year, make, model, and VIN. We’ll note any findings so you can determine whether the vehicle is worth purchasing, or you can use it as a negotiation tool.
If the vehicle doesn’t have issues, you can purchase it with confidence that it doesn’t have any current issues.
Contact Driven Auto Care in Fremont, CA
Keep from making an expensive mistake by having any vehicle you are considering inspected before you purchase it. Even if you are purchasing from a used car dealership or a barely used dealership, you should always have the vehicle checked. A pre-purchase inspection is a small price to pay that could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
When it’s time to service or time to do a Pre-Purchase inspection, contact Driven Auto Care at (510) 659-9718 for an appointment. We are conveniently located at 40931 Albrae St., Fremont CA 94538.
