You Need a Used Car Inspection
- June 12, 2021
The Challenge of Buying a Used Car
There is nothing more fun, or perhaps as awful, as buying a used car. The reality is you need a vehicle to get from point A to B in most places, they cost an obscene amount of money, and the average consumer never really knows what they are buying. Unless you are living, eating, and breathing the auto industry, there are little nuances to each and every brand that you don’t know about, and most people who sell cars are going to use that lack of information to their benefit and sell you on cool comfort features instead of making you aware of potential problems.
Enter the tech team at Schmidt Auto Care. If you are looking at a used car, make time to visit our shop for a used car inspection in Springboro, OH. We offer a thorough pre-purchase vehicle check, and we have saved many folks a lot of time and money.
Bonus!! If you read through this whole article, I may give you a tip at the end on a few vehicles.
The Importance of Inspecting What’s Under the Hood
We know that the nice interior, big entertainment screen, and flashy items inside a vehicle are cool. We like gadgets too, BUT what is under the hood? What is under the car? What do those tires look like? And what kind of shape is the frame in?
It’s easy to get caught up in aesthetics, but how cute are you stuck on the side of the road with a busted car that looks good, but doesn’t work right? We want you to be in quality vehicles because we are on the road with you as well, and we’d like your car to be working in tip-top condition.
So let’s talk about a used car inspection.
How to Schedule a Used Car Inspection
If you call our shop, you can schedule ahead of time for this service. Most people know what day they are going car shopping, so they will give us a heads-up that they may be stopping in on a certain day. And some people hold a car for a few days while trying it out, so they have a solid appointment time.
Either way, a heads-up is appreciated on our end because we want to help you out. We know your time with the car is limited, but we need to make sure we have a technician to assist you.
Once you come in, it takes a little under an hour to finish it up. One of our certified technicians will take it on a quick 5-7 mile test drive and look it over from front to back. There is a full inspection done on the vehicle, complete with images or videos of any problem areas.
This way you have physical proof if the vehicle you are looking at is worth the money, or not. We have seen excellent cars, and we have seen cars in rough shape. But one thing is for sure, our findings either give you negotiating power in the sale or let you know to walk away. This is one of our top buying used car tips—always get the car inspected before purchasing.
Storytime: A Guest’s Success Story
We had a guest who needed an SUV so bad. She had kids to tote around, her current car was just falling apart, and we let her know there was no point in adding more money to it.
We suggested she shop around and gave her some options of SUVs to look for that would sit in her price range. Car shopping is especially hard on a tight budget, but don’t let people tell you those vehicles aren’t out there. They are!
You just need to hunt harder than normal, and maybe go a little farther than 20 miles from home to find one. Our guest came in with 4 cars before we approved one for her. Yes, she had to pay for each of those inspections, but she saved thousands on the first car alone. And thousands on the third one she brought in as well.
She knew the value of the pre-purchase vehicle check the first time she had one done because she was convinced it was her car until she saw our report. See, you can wash and shine up a car real nice, but if it’s internally not solid, we will find out. As my papaw liked to say, “you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.”
Freebie: Vehicles to Watch Out For
We want to give you a little freebie because we know you don’t have the inside scoop. So here is an example of a domestic sedan, a truck, and a luxury brand issues to consider before buying.
2008-2012 Honda Accord
They have A/C issues with compressor relays.
2006 Ford F-150 with the 5.4-liter 3 valve
Has a junk engine. You will have an issue with it.
BMW
Known for oil leak issues. We like them, they are solid cars for the most part, but they all will eventually have oil leaks. If you go that route, you will address that issue eventually.
These are just a few buying used car tips to keep in mind.
Final Thoughts
We look forward to helping you car shop. And we look forward to having your new vehicle be a part of our Schmidt Auto Care family for many years after you buy your Schmidt-approved used car. For a reliable used car inspection in Springboro, visit us to ensure you make a smart purchase decision.
👉 Call us at 937-514-7860 or visit us at 285a Hiawatha Trail, Springboro, OH 45066, to schedule your pre-purchase vehicle check today. Let us help you make a smart, informed decision!
