Checkup before buying a used car

[nhyone]

Suppose I want to make sure a used car is free of problem. Do inspection centers such as STA do checkup for you?

 

What do they check? Will thourough do they check? Do they list down the problems and items to repair/replace?

 

Also, how long does it take and how much would it cost?

 

Or should I just go to a normal car workshop?

[Throttle]

i recall cost is about $150.

doesnt take long and in my opinion is kinda useless.

 

Go to a mech whom you trust , thats the best. even so the best mech cannot tell unless he strips the car apart.

 

The most important is a reliable seller. Dealers usually lie, in my experience. Most of my second hand cars are directly from owners.

No problems, just normal wear and tear.

[nhyone]

Originally posted by Throttle@February 11, 2007 12:14 am

Go to a mech whom you trust , thats the best. even so the best mech cannot tell unless he strips the car apart.

 

The most important is a reliable seller. Dealers usually lie, in my experience. Most of my second hand cars are directly from owners.

Buying direct.

 

The experience after the test drive is that it doesn't sound as expected (different from the other cars of the same model) plus other small details. Wanted an opinion on the possible problem areas and repairs needed. I don't mind if it's cheap, but if it's expensive, then I'll skip it.

[Throttle]

sometimes the simplest thing to do is to ask honestly.

of course some owners with no shame or integrity may lie but most i've experienced wouldnt.

 

Ask them to come out clean or else you'll have to keep on bugging them after the transaction. whats the point, right?

 

For me, when i sell my car, i will tell people if there are any faults i know. The price will be a fair representation and the deal can be done in good faith. personal reputation does not get tarnished.

 

If it doesnt already feel right to begin with, drop it.

[nhyone]

Originally posted by Throttle@February 11, 2007 12:20 pm

sometimes the simplest thing to do is to ask honestly.

of course some owners with no shame or integrity may lie but most i've experienced wouldnt.

When it comes to $$$, integrity tends to give way. Honesty aside, the seller is not a gearhead and may not be familar with early symptoms.

 

Ask them to come out clean or else you'll have to keep on bugging them after the transaction. whats the point, right?

I think it's too late after the transaction. The seller has gotten his money, why should he bother with you anymore?

 

For me, when i sell my car, i will tell people if there are any faults i know. The price will be a fair representation and the deal can be done in good faith. personal reputation does not get tarnished.

I don't think most people work this way. It is up to the buyer to discover any problems. If he doesn't discover it, too bad for him.

[Throttle]

That's sad....

but like i said it's about personal reputation.

 

I've bot quite a few cars from private owners and all were honest enough.

 

Looks like you can only buy a brand new car then.....heh heh

[Skunk]

my car is very old...so IMO, when u wanna buy a used/old car, just make sure u got loads of cash ready for all sorts of repairs.

 

IMHO still worth it despite current low new car price hohoho.

 

when my COE expires in a few years' time, im intending to renew COE, spend $5K import new engine + change all critical parts.....total cost divided by 10 years, one month maybe $100 hohoho.