Is it worth paying for an auto pre-purchase inspection?

Most people are aware of the benefits of a car mechanics service but tend to be unaware that the same sort of service can be very beneficial before you buy a car. By this we mean an auto pre-purchase inspection, which most people don’t think about or dismiss because they don’t want to pay for this type of car mechanics service.

There are of course arguments for and against an auto pre-purchase inspection, but if you are buying a car privately then the cost of this service can be extremely beneficial, especially if it prevents you buying a car that needs lots of repair work.

The RACQ and NRMA both offer this service, but any qualified and reputable mechanic can also perform a pre-purchase inspection. They will most probably take a few hours to go over the car and then give you an itemised accounting of any issues they have found on the vehicle.

Some of the issues they check include:

• Is the odometer working?
• Does the odometer agree with any service documents?
• Does the VIN number and the registration match?
• Is there any tampering around the compliance plates?
• Is there any sign of previous accident damage?
• Is there any rust?
• Has previous rust been fixed properly or just filled?
• Bouncy shock absorbers.
• Do all the tyres have a legal tread?
• Do all the lights and windscreen wipers work?
• Do all the gauges work?
• Is the A/C working properly?
• Are the seat belts intact, in good condition and working?
• Are there any radiator or hose problems?
• Are there any oil and transmission fluid leaks?
• Does the engine run smoothly with no problem noises or worrying exhaust smoke?
• Do all the doors lock and seal correctly?
• Are the seats in good order and fitted correctly?
• Any cracks in the windows or light fittings?
• Are there any computer fault codes?

 
Usually, a road test is also performed as part of this auto pre-purchase inspection because some problems only come to light when the engine is warm and has been running for a while.

If you don’t want to pay for an auto pre-purchase inspection, even though it can save you a lot of money in the long run, do make sure that you take someone with you who has a good mechanical knowledge. The last thing you want is to hand over your valuable money and register the car in your name, only to have to pay out thousands of dollars to have the car repaired a short time afterwards.

Tips to make sure your vehicle repairs and servicing goes off without a hitch

What do you do if you have problems with the vehicle repairs or servicing on your car? Well the best way to address these types of problems is to avoid them. So here are some real tips on how to make sure that everything runs smoothly with your vehicle repairs and servicing.

• Find a reputable repairer: Make sure that whoever you choose to service or repair your vehicle is qualified to do the job and has the right equipment.

• Make sure you get at least two different quotes: Make these written and itemised quotes, with quotes for the parts and for the labour. If you think the quotes are too high, question them to make sure that you understand exactly what the costs relate to – and get another quote to be sure.   

• Ask them to explain the problems clearly: There is nothing worse than being confused with jargon. Make sure the mechanic explains all the details clearly to you and you understand exactly what is wrong (and what you are paying for).

• Can you afford the repairs? If you agree to have the repairs done on your vehicle and you can’t afford to pay for them, the mechanic may not release your vehicle to you until you pay. Ask if you can arrange a payment plan with them (but they are not required to offer this service).

• Make sure they know you want to authorise any work not included in the quote: This avoids lots of unpleasantness when work has been performed on your vehicle that was outside of the original quote

• Ask for an itemised final bill: Make sure that all the work has been completed and that you understand the costs of the labour and parts.

• Keep these bills: This helps if you have any further issues that you believe should already have been fixed and also helps when you want to sell your car. A car with a history of services and evidence of repairs undertaken by a reputable mechanic should sell much better than a car with no service history.

If you have a problem with the charges on your bill for the vehicle repairs and servicing or believe that the repairs were not carried out properly, the best course of action is to discuss these issues with the mechanic. Most repairers want to keep their customers happy and value repeat customers – so they will do their best to sort out any problems you may have.

If you can’t come to a reasonable solution then you can ask to see their complaint handing procedures, which must comply with Australian Standards. As a final resort you can make a formal complaint about the vehicle repairs and servicing to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).