As everyone is aware, you go to a Dealership to look for a vehicle. Sometimes you buy a new one or a used one. There are only a few states
where a Dealer has to disclose if the vehicle you are purchasing has been repaired or was caused in a car accident. Yes there is Car Fax, VinFinder
but these list sometimes are out dated. How would I know this you ask? I am a 14 year Automotive Inspector. My job is to determine if the vehicle in
hand is worth the purchase or if it is in fact been in a collision and the vehicle meets all safety standards. It is sad that all dealers try to con their
purchaser or customer and not tell them. Here is a few steps that should help you out when you do purchase a vehicle
1. When A Dealer or Car salesman Say's that this is a great deal. Show them that you are aware of all scams that go on. Don't worry to offend them
they already know.
2. Start a visual of your vehicle away from the Light's (at Nighttime) The lights at the Dealership are not only to make their lot look good, but the high
power lights also make the car more shinny. Some of these lights hides the fact that the vehicle in hand was repaired. Ask your salesman to bring it
somewhere away from the Dealership.
3. Do Not Inspect your Vehicle in the nighttime. Tell your Salesman I would like to come back in the morning to look the entire vehicle over. Don't be
worried that your salesman comes back with a statement like, “Well can't promise it will be here tomorrow, or well I have 2 other people looking at it
to. Or my favorite saying “Can't promise to get you the deal I can tonight other then tomorrow. These are scare tactic's that Salesman's use to
get you to purchase the vehicle. My saying is,”if they did not sell before you got there then they will not be selling it.
4. Ask your Salesman if you could have a few minutes to look the vehicle over alone. They love to distract you while your looking hoping that
you don't find what they know. Don't be mean about it, just say “Excuse me, Could you please let me look at this car alone for about 20 minutes
or so.” If they say things like well what if you have a question or want to know something. Reply to them. ” I will ask when I come inside to see you”.
This will work with some dealers and some will not. If your salesman Say's to you,well our management ask us to stay with the customer, you again
reply to them that you wish to speak to the Management, this will back them down, they want the sale.
5. Make sure you give yourself enough time to look your vehicle over, if you have other appointments or other things to do, then I suggest you go back
so that you have at least 30 minutes to inspect your vehicle fully.
Inspection process.
1. Start the Vehicle let it run while you are looking it over.
2. Start with the hood, feel around the edges. “Manufacture Paint Jobs” are always smooth, release the hood latch and look at the bolts for
sign's of wrench mark's if you see them, write it down. Look at the front bumper. Look closely to see if there is paint swirls or dirt in the paint.
If you see these signs write it down.Look under the bumper for signs of over spray. Not all repairs means that the vehicle was in a accident but
If will help you to determine next what to look at.
3. With the front hood open look at your baffles, Core support and frame structures. Look at the Strut Housing.(if bolts are new write it down)
4. Open your door's and feel around the edges, again paint should be smooth not gritty feeling. If you feel these sign's write it down.
5. The most important part of the vehicle is to see if the vehicle has been in a flood. look at the floor boards inside look under your seat for excessive
rust. if you see this write it down.
6. Get down on your knee's look under the vehicle, if you see pinch marks on the bottom rails it has been on a Frame straighting machine.
7. After you are done looking a the underneath and front area of the vehicle go to the trunk release and open the trunk take a few minutes to
look at the edges of your vehicle,make sure all factory welds are in-place. Most body shop's reapply their own welds and can been seen
by the naked eye. If it is globed on or welded poorly it will stand out. That is a Big sign that the part was replaced. If you see this write it down.
It could have frame damage. Make sure all your pillars are factory installed, these signs that are poor could mean it is a unsafe vehicle if you
should get in a Accident. Again your most important possessions will be in this vehicle, and you would want to keep you and your family safe.
8. Get in the car and turn the steering wheel back and forth to make sure there is no play or clicking noises. Look at all your gauges to make sure
they work. The most important gauges are Engine Light, Air Bag Light,ABS Light (Automatic Braking System). If these lights are on write it down.
9. OK now that you have inspected your vehicle and you are still not sure you can hire a Company to come do the Inspection for you, these inspector's
like myself make dealerships in America very nervous. Along with your inspection you should have a paint gauge with you as well. these items
are expensive but so is purchasing a car. If you have high level gauging then the car has been repainted.
10. The most common sense is your best tool. Now that you have this information written down go inside and talk to your salesman, and express
your concerns. Don't let them fool you with saying that they did a 120 point inspection, they did not. they do a 5 point and that is all. Remember
they are there to sell you a car, they are there to make a profit,and your friendly salesman is there to make money as well. Over 300,000 American's
today buy a car by word of mouth and just looks.
I know if I had to pay 2000, 3000, or even 25,000 dollar's I want the very best in my vehicle, not just for looks. If they do have a Car Fax report, ask them to see it, look it over and try to match it up with what you found, if it is not the report then the report is outdated. Your salesman will say things like, “Com'on it is a used car it can't be perfect.” For your information, yes it should be perfect as if it is a new showroom vehicle. If you still want the vehicle, then tell them that they have to come down to a “Repair Depreciation Value (RDV).
And then ask them was the vehicle a trade in or did they buy the car from the Auction. If they say it was a trade in, you have right to see the actual written
trade in offer they gave the previous owner. By law they have to show this when asked. Now Look at the price and the trade in offer see how much
they boosted the price. most of all Offer the price in between the Selling price and Trade In price. They will say we have this so much amount of
dollar's invested in the car. Then ask them to give you a copy of that report as well. First off the only real price they would have in the vehicle is
the labor of their mechanic's. Not pricing of parts.
In closing I hope this article helped you out in the next purchase of your vehicle. If this was helpful I don't know if AC will allow it but give me a email
and let me know. Good luck and Happy hunting for your next Safety and Purchase worth of your vehicle.

Catch All Floor Mats
Free Video Online Info
Alberta Auto Parts
Characteristics of Useful Information in Accounting