Can you have a used car privately inspected before buying it?
Can you have a used car privately inspected before buying it?
By Chad Lückhoff
We all want peace of mind. A car is one of the most expensive purchases you will make and should you be financing it, you will be locked in for several years with the purchase agreement, so you want to make sure that you're not buying a lemon.
Inspecting a car before you buy it is a bit of a no-brainer, but we're not all mechanically-minded so it can be easy to miss a warning sign. Even those of us who are a little more automotively inclined can have our judgement clouded by the excitement that surrounds a new car purchase. So it's always a good idea to get a fresh pair of eyes to go over your potential new car.
You may want to have your car inspected by a third party before signing on the dotted line, but there are a few things to keep in mind as to what you may, or many not be able to get away with. So can you have a used car privately inspected before buying it? Yes and no...
While you may be able to get away with having the vehicle inspected by an accredited inspection firm, getting permission to take the car around to your mate, Mechanic Mike, may not be possible. You could always take Mike to the car, but if he is worth his salt, he will want to get the car up onto a ramp and poke and prod at it in his own time – which you are unlikely to get right.
Here's what you can do...
Buying from a private seller.
Selling a car can be as tedious a task as buying one and when dealing with a private seller, your intentions should be communicated clearly. You have all right to request that the seller provide an accredited inspection report for their vehicle, but the seller may ask that you foot the bill for it. You are more than welcome to negotiate with the seller as to where, when and who pays for the inspection, but the seller is under no obligation to pay for the vehicle inspection.
It is also unlikely that the seller will release the vehicle without payment to allow you a private inspection or one at an approved inspection center.
Buying from a dealership.
It is advisable to always request an inspection certificate or report when purchasing a vehicle from a dealership. Unlike the private seller, the dealership is in the business of selling cars and as such should do all that is necessary to accommodate the buyer.
Many dealerships will be able to provide an inspection report, which you may at any time request a copy of, but they will not release the vehicle so that you can take it to an independent or third party of your choice, without payment for the said vehicle.
Payment for the included inspection report should be covered in your “On-the-Road” fees and as such, can be loaded onto your finance / purchase price. Check this before signing and remember that everything is negotiable – within reason.
Buying from an auction.
We are yet to find a vehicle auctioneer that offers any sort of inspection report and most auction vehicles are sold “as is” without guarantee. So this is a resounding no. Auction purchases, while appealing, carry with them an inherent risk that you are never 100% sure of the condition of the vehicle ahead of time.
Some auctioneers will list known / readily visible faults but do not make mention of finer details, the likes of which would be detected by a qualified inspector at an inspection center.
Recommended inspection centers: