Monthly Archives: December 2015

Chuck's Auto Repair Seattle When you buy a pre-owned vehicle from a dealership, there’s security in knowing that the car has undergone some form of inspection and that a history report is available upon request. Sure, if you buy from a private seller, you may get a better deal, but you won’t know what the car has been through. It’s highly recommended that you persuade the seller to allow a pre-purchase car inspection before negotiating a deal.

How to Perform a DIY Auto Inspection

You may perform a DIY buyer’s inspection, though for a complete assessment, it needs to be looked at by a mechanic. Test drive the vehicle and be aware of unusual noises, especially during acceleration and braking. Speaking of braking, hit the brakes both normally and then hard to test its responsiveness. Also, be sure to check the dashboards to make sure all the controls from the wipers to blinkers are working. Finally, you should also test the vehicle on the freeway to see how it operates at high speeds.

Even if everything appears to be A-OK from your observation, you still need to take the vehicle to an auto service. A mechanic will put the car on a lift and examine for evidence of fluid leaks. The lift also allows for a full inspection of the tires, CV axle, brake pads, and differentials. This is something you won’t be able to do on your own. Continue Reading