this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2024
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You can often get a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) for about $200 from a mechanic that will tell you everything in depth about the health of a car before you actually buy it.
Way too many people out here purchasing cars and then bringing it to a mechanic only to realize they've been ripped off or bought an expensive repair bill.
You should do it with any used car you have a strong intention to buy whether it is a private sale or from a lot.
Usually lots will want to negotiate the price first because any used car will have some wear and tear.
But the point is that you'll know for sure it there's any critical issues with the vehicle. If it's a lemon, you can say no and walk away. Don't think of it as losing $200, think of it as saving several thousand on a broken car.
If you use the same mechanic on a fairly regular basis, they will generally do this type inspection for free. They don't want to deal with a lemon any more than you do.
Assuming it's like a technical issue in IT: Yup, we don't want to reformat your machine 500 times while you are tapping your foot besides us waiting.
Define lemon. Is it like a layman?
Defective, having several major issues. Relates to the US lemon laws, which stated manufacturers had to fix, replace or refund the purchase price of any defective vehicles sold.
I wish something like this applied to everything in the USA.
In Australia, the consumer law states that products must last for as long as a reasonable consumer would assume they last (eg at least 10 years for a large appliance like a fridge). If it has a major failure (breaks down) during that period, the manufacturer or store must repair, replace or refund it, regardless of the warranty period. The manufacturer also has to cover the cost of picking up and delivering the item.
In the USA, if your $3000 appliance has a 1 year warranty and it breaks down in 1.5 years? Too bad, so sad, go pay for a new one. Some manufacturers will offer a discounted or free repair but it's not legally mandated.
I don't know where you live, but in hcol areas mechanics won't even pick up the phone for that much. So you have to get dealer/private seller to agree to take the car to that mechanic for inspection.
In a hot market if the car is priced reasonably there's 5 other people in line to get it without inspection.
And then even if you can get the car inspected, mechanic offers you no guarantees. What do you think will happen if your engine explodes a week after you buy that car? You think that mechanic will replace it for free because he missed a big issue?
Your suggestion is awesome if you have a mechanic in the family or as a close friend you can trust. Otherwise just money down the drain really.