You need to replace one of your vehicles, but buying something new would not be the best move right now. A higher quality used vehicle would work perfectly. With that in mind, you’ve found one that seems to be a good fit. Before moving forward with the purchase, it pays to arrange for a used car pre purchase inspection by a licensed appraiser. Here are some reasons why this is a good idea.
The Appraiser Can Spot Issues You’ve Missed
You know how to test drive a used car or truck, and you understand what to look for when you check the tires, under the hood, and even the tailpipe. Even so, there’s the possibility that something was missed. That’s where the expertise of the appraiser makes a difference.
It may escape your notice that there are tiny signs the front fender is not the original, or that some other repair was made that isn’t very apparent. Even with access to car histories, there may be information that isn’t documented anywhere. The appraisal could reveal more information that helps you decide if the car is the good option that you thought at first.
You’ll Have Some Idea of How Much You Will Spend in Repairs
With any used vehicle, you do expect to spend a little in repairs during the first year. Hopefully, it’s minor things that don’t really impact the car’s performance. You also hope that they are not expensive repairs.
What the appraiser finds will provide a more accurate picture of what you can expect to spend. It may be to repair something that was previously overlooked, or it could be some component that’s still working but probably won’t last much longer. As long as you know what is likely to be needed, it’s easier to decide if buying the car and making the repairs is worth it to you.
The Determined Value Helps You Evaluate the Asking Price
With the information found in the appraisal, you can look at the asking price with a fresh perspective. Does the price still seem to be a good one? Is it actually a little more than the appraised value? The answers to those questions can help you decide what to do next.
You may find that the results of the used car pre purchase inspection indicate the purchase is all that you thought it would be. If so, go ahead and buy the car. If the results indicate the asking price is too high, you can attempt to negotiate a lower one or walk away. In any case, you have what’s needed to make the choice that’s right for you.
And Will Help With Insurance Quotes
There’s no way that you would drive the vehicle without having insurance first. The question is how much auto insurance do you want to maintain. Outside of any minimum coverage that’s required in your jurisdiction, it makes sense to have insurance benefits that will protect you if an accident should take place.
Thanks to the inspection and the resulting appraisal, you can determine the amount of coverage that makes sense. Take the appraisal with you when you visit the insurance agent; it can serve as the starting point to deciding what type of coverage you want and the amounts that would work best.
The bottom line is that having a car inspected before you buy it is a smart decision. That inspection will either confirm that the purchase is a good one, or that you need to keep looking. Either way, you win.
