Being a small auto broker / dealer for over 15 years I have seen dozens if not hundreds of inspections on cars.  Our policy is, we embrace them…when a potential buyer has a car inspected by a outside source we feel it distances us from any liability for the normal used car “Oops” that just happen on used cars.  While we do our best to make sure all our vehicles are nice, clean and ready for action…they are still used cars, and things can happen.  So who do I think does the best job…

Who does the best Vehicle Inspections.

I personally think the best inspections are done by the folks that ONLY do inspections, and I like the ones that come to the car…..  They have no hidden agenda, no additional income from follow up work.  Rather it be real or the newest program many shops are using….Recommendations”  for upping their income.

One thing you always want to do…on any car over 100K miles.

Cold start…do you realize that can not be done after we drive the car to the mechanic shop.  This inspection should in my opinion be done on any car over 100K miles…what does it show you…if the rings, pistons and upper components are sound.  I had a car within the first few years we were in business, drove it to the lady’s mechanic, it passed with flying colors.  A few months later, I got a call from her and it was running through oil…a quart a week…when the car was warm, you saw nothing, but when you performed a “Cold Start” it blew blue smoke…  Had she hired one of the come to the car inspectors…I am confident that car would not have passed the inspection…The inspectors that come to you…ALL ask that you do not start the car…they want it cold when they show up.

Recommendations VS Manufacture requirements..can cost you big $$$$$

I think these have to be the biggest waste of consumer money…here is an example.  I took a used car to a dealer for a minor issue. they didn’t know I was  dealer.  When finished they gave me a list of over $1,200 of recommended work…  Not required by the manufacture…but suggested / recommended by the shop..When I confronted them, with why do you want to do all this extra stuff, when the factory requires things only done at 60K miles to keep it under warranty…Hmmmm  Well…we think it is a good idea….and we recommend you should do these things.  yes it is a good idea and a way of them making about $1,170 more then really needed…which was an oil change.  I have seen these recommendations kill sales.  The buyer sees those numbers and thinks the car is in horrible shape…and you know they are never going to believe me…so I just let them go and smile.

Seepage VS Leakage… can cost you thousands of dollars BE CAREFUL.

Many of the cars I sell have 100K or more miles.  Just so you know… almost every car with that kind of miles has some sort of oil seepage.  Engines get hot, gaskets and seals get hot, then cold, then hot…and over the course of time oil will seep past almost any gasket or seal.  Now to be fair…if you wanted to make a car perfect…yes the best thing to do would be to fix them….but realistically…..in most cases not worth doing.  Here is a recent example.  I had an approximate 10 year old Toyota Camry with 102K miles.  I had some buyers that liked the car and wanted it inspected…  I of course said YES… here is the outcome.  The shop (which does additional work) told the buyer it had a leaking rear main seal, and to fix it, would be $1,500.  (probably an accurate cost) Plus a leaking strut for $1,100..(?) .so of course the sale fell though.  I took the car to a 30 plus year “common sense” mechanic and ask him to put on his rack and see if he spotted anything. We both saw a slight oily area around where the transmission meets the engine…his comment was, I can clean that with brake cleaner and it will probably leak another drop or two over the next 6 months..”I wouldn’t worry about it”, was his final comment.  Now this was a one owner absolutely crystal clean car that was serviced at a Toyota dealer its whole life…and its selling price was only around $6,000…  The second mechanic in my opinion, is far more “Real World” realistic…yes you can fix that seal, yes you can spend thousands on a 6,000 car…but is it really necessary….many shops will not give you a common sense answer..(because additional work makes them additional $$$) .so you need to be careful….when you are getting a pre-purchase inspection…use someone that does not do mechanic work….And while the second mechanic (my opinion) gave the correct response, yes it is “Seeping a little” but its not a problem.   Mechanics like him seemed to be rare…. And where will you find a 100K car with no oil residue anywhere on the engine or transmission…. In a MUSEUM …

Memorized Settings Including Door Mirror(S), Memorized Settings Including HVAC, Memorized Settings Including Steering Wheel, Memorized Settings For 3 Drivers, Driver And Passenger Seat Memory, Remote Power Door Locks, Power Windows, Cruise Control, 4-Wheel ABS Brakes, Front Ventilated Disc Brakes, Passenger Airbag, Side Airbag, Power Retractable Hard Top, Navigation System, Audio System Security, In-Dash Single CD Player, Audio System Premium Brand Speakers: Bose, Am/Fm/Satellite-Capable Radio, Remote 6-Disc CD Changer, Remote CD Changer In Trunk/Cargo Area, Speed Sensitive Audio Volume Control, Surround Audio, Total Number Of Speakers: 8, Braking Assist, ABS And Driveline Traction Control, Stability Control, AMG Sport package, premium factory rims, Driver Knee Airbags, Front Fog/Driving Lights, Rear Fog Lights, Leather and Wood Steering Wheel Trim, Wood and Leather Shift Knob Trim, Wood Door Trim, Leather/Wood Center Console Trim, Beverage Cooler In Glovebox And Console, Convertible Wind Blocker, Headlight Cleaners With Washer, Trip Computer, External Temperature Display, Tachometer, Driver’S Side Electrochromatic Auto-Dimming Mirrors, Power Remote Driver Mirror Adjustment, Heated Driver Mirror, Heated Passenger Mirror, Electrochromatic Rearview Mirror, Power Remote W/Tilt Down Passenger Mirror Adjustment, Passenger Reverse Tilt Mirror, Turn Signal In Mirrors, Dual Illuminated Vanity Mirrors, Daytime Running Lights, Heated Windshield Washer Jets And Wiper Park, Driver And Passenger Heated Seats, Glass Rear Window, Remote Window Operation, Remote Roof Operation, Phone, Audio Controls On Steering Wheel, Tele Aid, Power Remote Trunk Release, Front Reading Lights, Anti-Theft Alarm System, Convertible Occupant Rollover Protection, Air Suspension. 

We work by appointment only please call for details or additional information. We are a small independent auto broker, not a car lot, and our goal is to help you find the perfect vehicle, trades are always welcome, 14522 SE River Road, Milwaukie, OR 97267 DA 9534, Credit Union Auto Broker LLC. 503.422.7887

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