Question: Do car dealers normally inspect and repair used cars before they put them on their lot?

June 15, 2005

Hi Tony

I'm thinking of buying a 4Runner this week and have read your "Used Car Buying Tips and Secrets". I am hoping you can clear up a few things for me.

You mention to have a mechanic check the vehicle (after a test drive). Since I am looking at a few possible vehicles, all at different dealerships (some are major, name-brand dealerships with used cars, others are not), the questions I have are:

- Is it normal business practice for any dealership (name-brand or not) to inspect these used cars they sell and make any fixes to them? Or does the "AS-IS" marking mean they haven't made any fixes?

- When I try to research the 4Runner at different websites (cars.com, kbb.com, edmunds.com), I get different values [edmunds has the TMV-True-Market-Value supposedly for my zip code] for the same options. Which do you prefer?

- How receptive are dealerships to taking a vehicle from their lot to have a mechanic look at it? Do you leave a deposit that you get back if the vehicle needs work and you can't come to a price with the dealer?

You have a great website!

Thanks,

Dan

Answer:

Hi Dan,

Some dealers inspect used cars before they go on the lot, others do not. Even the one's that do don't always perform all the necessary work due to cost involved. This is why you should have a mechanic that you can trust look over the vehicle before you make any deals.

Dealers run into this a lot. They don't always like it, but it's the only way you can know for sure what kind of vehicle you're looking at.

Absolutely Do Not give them any deposit just to take the vehicle to your mechanic. Listen Dan, if they are not willing to let you take the vehicle to get it checked then don't do business with them. I mean, what are they afraid of? What are they hiding? Offer to let the salesman tag along. If that's not good enough for them go somewhere else.

Any legitimate dealer will work with you in this regard.

Also Dan, get a Free CARFAX Record Check. Just get the serial number off the vehicle. This will tell you the history of the vehicle as far as mileage goes, wrecks and so forth. Very valuable information.

As far a values go kbb.com is as good as any.

Remember, No Deposit until after you have a signed deal. Not before! If you do you could have a fit getting it back if you don't buy the vehicle.

I hope this helps . . .

All my very best to you . . .

Tony Iorio