As a master automotive technician and the owner of an auto repair shop, the number one mistake my customers make when purchasing a car is not bringing it to me to be inspected before they purchase.

The majority of my customers bring me the vehicle after they have already paid for the vehicle.The Federal Trade Commission requires automotive dealers to place a ...quot;Buyer's Guide...quot; sticker on every used vehicle for sale or risk facing stiff fines and penalties. However, most dealers realize that placing the "Buyer's Guide" sticker on the window and marking "As is, No Warranty" is largely a benefit for the dealer. Especially when most commercially produced forms and the form available for download from FTC.gov have a signature box for the buyer to acknowledge having read and received a copy of this form maxisys pro. This has saved Dealerships more hassles in small claims court than any other regulation, in my opinion.

The side effect of this form and not having the vehicle inspected prior to purchase is that my auto repair customers who bring the vehicle in for inspection are often shocked at what I find wrong with the vehicle.

For example, numerous SUV's with higher mileage (over 50,000 miles) often need suspension work due to the heavier unsprung weight on the suspension due to heavier control arms autel maxidas ds808, axle shafts, locking hubs, and other off-road components. It is common for the four wheel drive vehicles to need upper and lower ball joints, a pitman arm, and an idler arm just to properly align the vehicle. These repairs can often cost nearly $1,000 for a vehicle in otherwise good condition.

However, if the customer had brought me the vehicle prior to purchase, this problem could have been dealt with as part of the negotiation at the dealership since I provide the customer with a written inspection form and a reasonable estimate for the repairs. If the dealership refuses to negotiate, the customer will generally look for another vehicle.

Most auto repair shops will perform vehicle inspections, generally charging an hour of labor to properly perform a thorough inspection. The reason that customers do not request a used vehicle inspection seems to be lack of awareness. It just never occurred to the customer to have the vehicle inspected prior to purchase.

The problem probably lies in the average repair shop's failure to properly market this service to their repair customers. It provides a strong opportunity for the repair shop to build relationships with their customers, while providing a valuable service for the customer.

Derek is a Master Automotive Technician with over a dozen years experience in the business of buying, selling, repairing, and maintaining vehicles. He owns his own shop in Mid-Michigan, and also maintains a car advice blog at
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