Used Honda Inspections
Just as you can't judge a book by it's cover, you can't judge a car by its paint job.
Always have a used vehicle inspected--before you purchase it.
Too often, buyers do not apply such warnings to their car purchases. The following information will help you know what is under the paint job of the vehicle you wish to purchase before you buy it.
First, ask the car owner questions such as:
Do you have service records?
How long have you owned the vehicle?
Has it been wrecked?
Has it had any body repair?
Is anything wrong with the vehicle?
How much oil does the car use between oil changes?
Has the vehicle been modified in any way? (non-factory sunroofs, stereos, alarms, etc)
Second, if you are able, narrow your selection even further by checking the following:
The quality of the vehicle's oil and other fluids (have a flashlight handy)
Paint discolorations and misalignment between body panels
Paint overspray on trim pieces or lens
Water leaks (wet spots) in the trunk and on the interior carpet
Tires for uneven wear, being sure to check the inside edges
Third, after you have decided on a vehicle, bring it in for a used Honda inspection*, which takes about an hour. Remember, even if the vehicle looks good on the outside, it might not pass our mechanical evaluation. (Always have the car inspected by someone other the seller for an unbiased report.) For our evaluation we will perform a road test & inspection, including but not limited to:
A/C system
Body
Brakes
Clutch
Engine condition
Exhaust system
Suspension/Steering
Transmission condition
Tune-up items
Tires
Finally, we will provide you with the inspection results and answer any questions we can about the vehicle. Although our inspection can reveal serious problems about a car, we can't always predict when a component will fail. But hopefully, we can help make your decision a little easier.
*Contact us for the current price on an inspection 865-689-7143.
Additional Resources
Samarins.com is loaded with info, including Illustrated guides
Craig's List current Honda & Acura listings