If you’re looking to buy a used car and don’t have the money to buy a certified pre-owned car, don’t worry. This is because you can always pay a small amount to have a used car inspected before purchasing.
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Auto shop Concept 3 Performance’s TikTok account (@concept3performance) details why pre-purchase inspections are important. In fact, Automotive Technology says it’s absolutely essential for someone who doesn’t really “know” about cars.
His viral clip on the topic has received more than 191,000 views. In it, he inspects a used car, and commentators were shocked by what he found.
Pre-purchase inspection
“This is common sense 101. For example, this person is about to buy this car. But he came to us for a pre-purchase inspection. “Please, any time you buy a used car, do a pre-purchase inspection.”
He urges people to bring their cars to him and then goes on to recount his process. First, he searches the car’s VIN number to look up the car’s history, explaining that the car he’s examining is a used 2007 Honda Accord. He believes that in 2006 the car was purchased but in 2007 after only 11,000 miles, the brakes returned. Which means that whoever was driving it was driving with great difficulty.
The tech found that the original owner kept the car until 2012. As he delved deeper into the car’s history, he noticed that the engine mounts had been replaced at 174,000 miles. As he was browsing the list, he noticed that the car had 227,000 miles on it. However, he quickly backtracked, noting that he wasn’t entirely sure of the actual distance he had traveled.
How many miles? @concept3performance Common Sense 101 Points 1 – – – #mazdaspeed #nation #car #jdmnation #honda #rotor #japan #club #rotarypower #nsx #stancenation #rb #gt #nismo #miata #jdmdaily #subaru #wankel #silvia #a #racing #mx #carsofinstagram #mk #supramk #boost #jdmsociety #toyotasupra #fdrx #driftcar ♬ Original Audio – Concept 3 Performance
At this point in the video, he goes to the car to check its odometer, which displays a completely different number: 105,000.
“That’s what you call a rollback car,” the auto tech sighs. “So, there are different ways to actually get the mileage back. I’m just telling you the facts. I’m not telling you how to do it.”
He continues, “People take kits from used vehicles and trade them in. Or they take the car to someone who can hack into the kit and change the miles on the kit.”
He points to the used Honda that rolled into his shop. “Someone did this to it, and it rolled back… 122,114 miles. The reason someone would want to do something like that is also to get a higher value.” “When you’re trying to sell a used car and it has 230,000 miles on it. You won’t get it. But at 105,000 you can get twice the cost.
The technology begins by examining the exterior of the car. Secondly, “You look around the car and see what’s happening to the paint. Things like that, making sure everything is in solid condition. Another thing I also like to look for is on the glass. Making sure if it’s original glass or aftermarket. For example This product is aftermarket.
More inspection work
“The other thing I like to do is…” he said as he walked towards the hood of the car. He opens and closes it. “Everything can close. Just at random jambs, run your finger through it. If you have the same gap, the car is straight. That’s a different feeling here.”
He touches the left side of the car hood and runs his finger over it. On the other side of the hood, notice the inconsistency in the gap line. “You go from distress… and it opens up.” Using his finger, he highlights the difference in the lid gap lines. “Something happened on that barrier,” he says.
He continues his pre-purchase exterior inspection of the car in a follow-up video, continuing to look for key indicators that the car has been in an accident. Or it was hit several times in different areas of the car.
@concept3performance Common Sense 101 Points 2 – – – #mazdaspeed #nation #car #jdmnation #honda #rotor #japan #club #rotarypower #nsx #stancenation #rb #gt #nismo #miata #jdmdaily #subaru #wankel #silvia #a #racing #mx #carsofinstagram #mk #supramk #boost #jdmsociety #toyotasupra #fdrx #driftcar ♬ Original Audio – Concept 3 Performance
The technology also encourages people to look for “overspray.” It is also known as paint residue that seeps into other parts of the car.
He also noted that the car had an “aftermarket Chinese fender.” Plus, he says you can always tell the hood has been repainted if you look at the screws holding it in place. If the screws are different colors, that’s also a telltale sign.
Moreover, it can tell that the front end of the car has been involved in an accident due to the differences in the sections. Some of the plastic fasteners under the cover are of different colours. And one of the clips wasn’t even a clip, but a metal nail. The fender on the right side of the car was silver in color. The left side, which was damaged, had an aftermarket black fender flare.
New vs. used
Many financial analysts will tell you to never buy a new car. Consumption rates are very high. This is because the value of the car decreases significantly immediately after driving it.
However, new cars always come with shiny new warranties. And you know that there is a certain number of miles or years that most car components are covered.
And if you buy a lemon, there are laws in place to help people recoup the money they lost. In addition, automakers have buyback programs. These help affected customers sell their faulty cars and not lose any money.
Some vehicle manufacturers also offer certified, pre-inspected vehicles. Lexus, for example, has a multi-point inspection system attached to these certified pre-owned cars. They also come with warranties as well. However, certified used cars tend to come at a higher price than non-certified cars.
TikTokers weigh in
Commentators who watched the technology clip were amazed by what he found. “Isn’t it illegal to back out? Or does the seller have to inform the buyer of a new lot?” someone asked.
In addition, people can find out the actual mileage the car has traveled through its ECU, another person said. “Apart from the range of mileage displayed, the scan tool can also display the mileage through the ECU… I’ve seen this on European cars… However, this is wild, lol,” they said.
Another person said they wouldn’t mind buying a high mileage car. Provided that it is not American or European made. “A high-mileage Honda and Toyota don’t look bad. We should be concerned if it’s an American or European high-mileage car.”
The Daily Dot has reached out to Concept 3 Performance via email for further comment.
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