What to Check When Buying a Used Car
What Is Included with a Checklist for a Used Vehicle Inspection?
It’s normal practice for dealerships to include a used car and truck inspection checklist before any car or truck can be listed on its pre-owned inventory. This is a meticulous, multi-point check of all vehicle systems, both major and minor. An inspection includes many explicit criteria and items that vary from dealership to dealership. This ensures every pre-owned vehicle is in acceptable condition. Most, if not all, of the criteria fall into 3 main buckets: service, electrical, and mechanical. Review all that’s needed for a checklist for a pre-owned car inspection.
Mechanical Review
From DSG transmissions to anti-lock brakes, updated mechanical components dominate every aspect of modern vehicles and it’s imperative that they’re working properly to avoid accidents and costly repair bills. An exhaustive inspection should inspect these components and others like the engine, CVT transmissions, drive systems, the car battery, the exhaust, and cooling systems (hoses and the radiator). If the vehicle is either a hybrid or an electric vehicle, the drive battery may only be serviced and inspected by a professional.
Electric Check
Now more than ever, modern vehicles feature complex electrical systems such as engine computers, digital gauge clusters, touchscreens, NAV systems, and cameras. So it’s crucial that they receive and pass the same meticulous inspections as the other components. A comprehensive inspection of the electronics includes all internal, external, and emergency lighting, as well as touchscreens and running lights. Most necessary, however, are the proper functions of any onboard computers and any systems controlled by electronics, like the ignition, engine performance settings, the brakes, safety technology, and mobile phone integration.
Vehicle Service History Report
A comprehensive inspection can expose any known problems, but it might miss issues that happened in the past. To fully comprehend the life of your car we use AutoCheck or CarFax. These vehicle history services can typically bring to light info like oil changes, title problems, previous accidents, warranty service, and mileage inconsistencies. Realizing the full history of the car, truck, or SUV you are about to purchase allows you to make the best possible decision.
Buy, Sell, or Trade at Mercedes-Benz of Clear Lake
Mercedes-Benz of Clear Lake invites you to buy, sell, or trade with us, online or in-person. Our pre-owned vehicle inspections are rigorous and our vehicles are guaranteed for quality. Experience a real difference in car-buying. Visit us today for a great selection of new, used, and certified pre-owned luxury cars and SUVs near Houston, TX. Our friendly Mercedes-Benz team is standing by to serve you.
