There are a lot of aspects to consider when purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, from size and style, to fuel economy and more. Once you’ve found your dream car though, there is one last step, before signing papers that shouldn’t be overlooked.
“One of the biggest challenges when buying a pre-owned vehicle is the risk of inheriting undisclosed automotive issues,” says Melissa Smith from Fast Eddie’s Tire Pros & Automotive Repair.
Not all car issues are easy to spot, and while services like CARFAX can help, they still don’t provide the whole picture. That’s where a pre-purchase inspection can help ensure there are no unwanted surprises in your new-to-you vehicle.
Smith recounts her own close call when her daughter was buying her first vehicle and nearly ended up purchasing a car with a devastating oil leak that the current owner was unaware of at the time.
“The car we were looking at had service records, CARFAX reports and seemed like a solid, reliable vehicle, but during the pre-purchase inspection our mechanics spotted a massive fluid leak that would’ve required a lot of work (and money) to fix,” Smith says.
Fast Eddie’s pre-purchase inspections look for a wide variety of potential issues, in particular issues that would otherwise be hard to spot.
Fast Eddie’s Tire Pros and Automotive Repair shop offers a wide variety of services, find a full list online at fsteddie.com.
Pre-purchase inspections include:
- Test driving to listen for noises and vibrations
- Diagnostic testing to check for error codes
- A close inspection of all major components
- Oil and fluid checks
- Checking for accident and rust damage that may have been fixed or painted over
- Checking safety features including seatbelts and airbags
- Tire and brake inspection
“After the inspection, we provide customers with a detailed report. This report can be used for renegotiating with the seller or explaining why they’re no longer interested in the sale,” says Smith. “Potential buyers can also schedule their inspections with sellers to meet right at our shop, providing a safer way to conduct a private transaction.”
The Fast Eddie’s team understands that finding the right car may take more than one try. That’s why they offer the first inspection for just $94.99 and any additional inspections within 30 days of the first inspection at 50 percent off.
As we head into the warmer months Smith notes that now is a great time to swap out those winter tires! The Fast Eddie’s team suggests swapping your tires when the overnight temperature stays consistently above 45 degrees. If you’ve purchased your tires already, you can swap them over free of charge! And if you need new summer or all-season tires, you can get $20 off + a free tire protection plan by mentioning this article!
Book your pre-purchase inspection or tire swap over the phone today at 425-355-7110, for more information visit fsteddie.com and follow them on Facebook for the latest deals and promotions!
