The only thing worse than having something is having something and not knowing it. There’s a lot of crap going around. Sometimes, there are symptoms. Leaks, for instance. Or reduced performance.
But sometimes there are no symptoms.
So you’ve got to get checked. It only takes a few minutes, it’s pretty discreet, and it can give you peace of mind that you haven’t picked something up.
You know, like imminent transmission failure, a looming blown turbocharger, or a suspension system that’s about to cough up a strut.
So, practice safe shopping when looking for your next used car. It’s easy. It’s fast. It’s smart. And your favorite car doctor can help.
“Justin, my Protegé just crapped out, I need to buy a car at lunch. There’s this PT Cruiser I like. Is that a good car?”
My friend Amanda, a busy real estate agent was in a panic.
“That’s not how to shop for a car, Amanda.”
There was no stopping her though. She had an hour, and she was going to buy a car.
“Just make sure you get it checked by a mechanic, OK?”
She didn’t. But she lucked out, loves her PT Cruiser, and hasn’t had any trouble yet.
For between $100 and $200, a certified mechanic can inspect that used car you’re considering to make sure it’s not about to cost you a few thousand in repairs. A quick check by properly trained eyes can reveal a plethora of problems, perhaps even ones that the vehicle’s seller wasn’t aware of.
Is that seller trying to pass off a worn-out set of tires and brakes? Is the transmission housing cracked and leaking fluid? Is the engine purring like a kitten, or filled with a heavyweight oil to muffle a death rattle within? These are all real possibilities. Many folks have used-car horror stories, after all.
A few other notes to remember, too.
First, a ‘Safety’ or ‘Certification’ inspection in no way, shape or form indicates that the vehicle is in good shape or will last. It’s merely a statement that the vehicle meets a bare-minimum requirement for roadworthiness. If it’s got tires, brakes and a horn, it’ll probably pass a mechanical, even if the engine is about to throw a rod or the transmission is about to turn itself into soup.
But sometimes there are no symptoms.
So you’ve got to get checked. It only takes a few minutes, it’s pretty discreet, and it can give you peace of mind that you haven’t picked something up.
You know, like imminent transmission failure, a looming blown turbocharger, or a suspension system that’s about to cough up a strut.
So, practice safe shopping when looking for your next used car. It’s easy. It’s fast. It’s smart. And your favorite car doctor can help.
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“Justin, my Protegé just crapped out, I need to buy a car at lunch. There’s this PT Cruiser I like. Is that a good car?”
My friend Amanda, a busy real estate agent was in a panic.
“That’s not how to shop for a car, Amanda.”
There was no stopping her though. She had an hour, and she was going to buy a car.
“Just make sure you get it checked by a mechanic, OK?”
She didn’t. But she lucked out, loves her PT Cruiser, and hasn’t had any trouble yet.
For between $100 and $200, a certified mechanic can inspect that used car you’re considering to make sure it’s not about to cost you a few thousand in repairs. A quick check by properly trained eyes can reveal a plethora of problems, perhaps even ones that the vehicle’s seller wasn’t aware of.
Is that seller trying to pass off a worn-out set of tires and brakes? Is the transmission housing cracked and leaking fluid? Is the engine purring like a kitten, or filled with a heavyweight oil to muffle a death rattle within? These are all real possibilities. Many folks have used-car horror stories, after all.
A few other notes to remember, too.
First, a ‘Safety’ or ‘Certification’ inspection in no way, shape or form indicates that the vehicle is in good shape or will last. It’s merely a statement that the vehicle meets a bare-minimum requirement for roadworthiness. If it’s got tires, brakes and a horn, it’ll probably pass a mechanical, even if the engine is about to throw a rod or the transmission is about to turn itself into soup.