Be Smart - Inspect Before You Buy!
After a good wax job, some chrome rims, and a pine scented air freshener, a used car can appear in top condition while still concealing marks, scuffs, and possible damages from major accidents. That’s why one of the best things you can do when shopping for a used car is to get a vehicle history report from CARFAX. A good vehicle history report gives you a complete look into the past life of your car.
The Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, is all that’s needed to get a report of a previously inspected vehicle. Your VIN is unique to your car and can typically be found in the lower corner of the windshield plated to the dashboard.
Even though the vehicle history report is fantastic for identifying problems with cars own by responsible individuals, there are still some very shady characters out there. They might have had major car issues that they attempted, and failed, to fix themselves.
This is when you need a CARCHEX 155-point pre-purchase auto inspection from their Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified mechanics. All inspections include reports on the condition of body and paint, dents, scratches, rust, tires, wheels, glass, interior, missing parts, oil leaks, electrical items, and drive train performance. CARCHEX’s inspectors even travel to your home or work to perform the inspection at your convenience.
With these two extensive pieces of information, you now have as complete a picture of the quality and condition of that used car as you can, outside of having owned it yourself. You can now buy or walk away from it with confidence.
September 7th, 2010 on 4:01 pm
I really enjoyed this post. You write about this topic very well. Honesty is the most important element of the car buying procedure, and your dealers practice should be reflective of that – easy, straightforward, and clear. They should give a clear alternative to customary transaction oriented dealership outlets, wanting instead to build their business one relationship at a time. They should encourage you to discover their collection of exceptional vehicles that are meticulously inspected, professionally serviced and detailed, and come with sound history reports. You should find a gracious and knowledgeable staff that is content to assist with any aspect of your search for the ideal vehicle. This is how most dealerships continue to prosper, one relationship at a time, by exceeding client expectations every step of the way.