The Importance Of A Pre-Purchase Vehicle Inspection

Looking to buy a used car? Understanding the vehicle's mechanical and electrical condition  will give you the extra peace of mind before you let go of your hard earned money. Knowing the full details of the car's condition may also give you the upper hand when negotiating the deal for your next car.

Buying a car today and breaking down tomorrow is not ideal for anyone and when letting go of your hard earned money you want to be sure it is going to be a reliable purchase that isn't going to come with unnecessary repair bills. We recommend having a pre-purchase vehicle inspection (also known as PPI, PPVI) on any used car purchase regardless of where you're buying from. Having a pre-purchase inspection carried out on your next car will not only point out any hidden faults but also give you that peace of mind you need before sealing the deal.

Viewing and test driving your new car before a pre-purchase inspection

So you have found the car that works for you and you're thinking about booking in for your pre purchase inspection. Here are a few things you can do yourself before booking in the inspection. 

• Exterior checks:
• Walk around the vehicle and note down any dents, dings or scratches the car might have.
• Open the doors, boot lid and bonnet and look for any anomalies and signs of rust.
• Visually check the tyre tread and for signs of cracking and wear. Tyre tread should not be below 1.5MM (NZ WOF regulations).
• Interior checks:
• Check operation of all window switches and mirror controls.
• Check the operation of all your lights (interior and exterior).
• Check the operation of all your interior controls including the infotainment system, A/C operation and any other electrical controls the vehicle may have.
• Under bonnet:
• Visually check around the engine bay for signs of leaks .
• If possible check the engine operation on a cold and hot run as some noises appear when the car is cold and disappear as the car warms up. A hot run will generally point out any leaks .
• Check if there is any excessive smoke coming out of the exhaust.
• Test drive:
• Always take the car for a drive and if possible do a low speed and high speed drive to determine how the car drives. Listen for any abnormal noises coming from the car.

If you are happy with your checks or you found something that you aren't sure about then the time has come to bring in the professionals to run a full comprehensive pre purchase vehicle inspection. This is a very detailed inspection which can uncover any faults that can’t be seen from a visual inspection such as:

• Diagnostic check
• Vehicle fault scan to identify any existing electrical faults.
• Engine compression test.
• Cooling system pressure test.
• Head gasket test to identify any internal wear.
• Battery test to determine the vehicle's battery condition.
• Operational check
• Test operation of engine and drivetrain components.
• Inspect wheels and hubs for play and wear.
• Inspect suspension and braking components for damage and wear.
• Underbody check
• Inspect for signs of fluid leaks.
• Inspect underbody mountings and support components.
• Inspect underbody for signs of corrosion, rust and other damages which may have occurred in the past.
• In-depth road test
• Low speed test.
• High speed test.
• Engine and drivetrain operation.
• Steering and suspension component test.
• Cooling and heating system operation.

The above are only some of the checks which are carried out during a pre-purchase inspection. Over a 100 points are checked on the vehicle, majority of which can’t be seen from a visual inspection so we always recommend getting a pre-purchase inspection done before buying any used car.

Smpl Kiwi Pre- Purchase Vehicle Inspection

Smpl Kiwi team offers a comprehensive pre purchase inspection at a very competitive price. Our inspectors are all trade qualified and equipped with all the necessary tools to inspect all makes and models. Covering a wide Auckland area we are 100% mobile and come to your preferred location. Book you inspection online here:

https://www.smplkiwi.co.nz/products/pre-purchase-inspection.

Reach out to us via our contact page or leave a comment below and we will get in touch with you. https://www.smplkiwi.co.nz/pages/contact-us.

Happy buying.