CAR CHECK-UP
Haik’s German Autohaus
Pre-Purchase Car Check
Before buying a car, it is essential to have it checked by a qualified mechanic before purchasing it. You will have better results if your vehicle is checked by a mechanic who specializes in the type of vehicle you wish to purchase.
Why Check Out a Used Car in Advance
The reason for checking out a car in advance is obvious to some, but many buyers make emotional purchases. They love the car or feel they have to have it. Big mistake! Every used vehicle has wear. Even vehicles which appear beautiful can need serious work. Don’t be fooled. If the car has mileage, it has wear. How much wear it has is important for you to know. Mileage alone does not determine wear. Inspections we have performed on many cars have revealed thousands of dollars of needed repairs to bring the car into shape, making it safe and dependable.
You May Have Costly Repairs After Purchase
A repair to air conditioning or brakes can cost a thousand dollars. We have had cases where the customer purchased the vehicle before having it checked. They were sure nothing was wrong. Out of hundreds of car checks we’ve performed, only a handful passed, needing only minor work. The rest needed repairs which shocked and dismayed the customer who made the purchase. The price of repairs should be considered before purchasing. If you buy a car for blue book value of $10,000 and it needs another $3,000 work, then you’re paying $13,000 for the vehicle, not $10,000. Having the vehicle checked before purchase is an inexpensive insurance policy.
Car Check Results as a Bargaining Tool
And if you must have the car even after you know the repairs it needs, the price of those repairs can be used as a bargaining chip in reducing the purchase price. Having the car checked does not guarantee that nothing will go wrong, nor does it guarantee against a hidden defect which is intermittent or not obvious at the time of inspection. But it is far more cautious to let an experienced mechanic use his eyes, ears, nose, as well as his computer, to check the car over. Even buying cars from friends and family can cause later regret. Most owners have no idea what is going on under the hood of their vehicle.
Savings
Our long experience of working on German cars has taught us the weak spots of each vehicle and where to focus our attention, saving our customers substantial amounts of money.
Car Check Inspection
Our buyer’s inspection has four basic steps which takes approximately two hours. First, visual inspection of the passenger compartment, under the hood and in the trunk, and the entire underside of the vehicle. Second, manipulation of mechanical and electrical devices on the car to check for wear and performance. Third, reading the trouble codes stored in the vehicle’s onboard computer. Fourth, an extensive test drive.
HAIK’S GERMAN AUTOHAUS
CAR BUYER’S CHECK LIST
(2 hours)
Complete Bumper-To-Bumper Car Check
COMPUTER ANALYSIS
- Read engine diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) and record
ELECTRICAL POWER TEST
- Battery and charging system: test with meter
VEHICLE INSPECTION
Passenger Compartment Check
- Horn operation
- Interior lighting: dome, courtesy, reading, dash
- Air conditioning and heating function
- Gauges registering properly
- Gear selector for tightness
- Steering wheel for smooth and noiseless operation
- Power windows and switches proper operation
- Power mirrors proper operation
- Seat belts for damage and proper function
- Parking brake for holding
Exterior Vehicle Check
- Paint and body condition
- Windshield washer system for proper operation
- Wiper blade function
- Lighting exterior
- Headlights, high/low beams, brake lights, turn signals, tail lights, running lights, backup, side markers, license plate, parking, fog
- Door, hood, trunk hinges for function and lubrication
Under Hood Check
- Drive belts, serpentine belt, air-conditioning belt check condition and tension
- Timing belt (if applicable) condition, age, cracks
- Vacuum hoses condition and routing
- Valve cover gasket leaks
- Air filter for cleanliness and proper fit
- Cabin filter for cleanliness and proper fit
- All fluids for proper level, color, cleanliness and leaks
- Engine oil: check level, color, cleanliness, leaks *(low level may indicate oil burning or leak)
- Cooling system: check fluid level, color, leaks, hoses, radiator, water pump (for leak and noise)
- Transmission fluid level, color *(for transmissions with dipstick only)
- Brake fluid check level, color and check reservoir for leak
- Power steering fluid level, color, leaks
- Windshield washer system fluid level
- Run engine and listen for noises and proper operation
Underside Vehicle Check (visual check and/or manipulate)
- Suspension system
- Shock absorbers, struts, mounts, ball joints, control arms
- Engine and transmission mounts
- Power steering system: hoses, belt, pump, steering rack, boots, tie rods, drag link, steering damper, idler arm, bushings, steering box
- Brake system: check for wear and leaks
- Brake pads, discs, calipers, hoses
- Wheels: check for damage
- Tire inflation pressures, wear, damage, nails (including spare)
- Exhaust system
- Holes, rust, damage, leaks, muffler hangers
- Leaks in any component or system: check for source
- Engine, transmission, differential, power steering, coolant, brake fluid, fuel system
- Driveshaft: check flex disks, center support
- Drive axles: check constant velocity boots
- Chassis and body check for rust
ROAD TEST VEHICLE
- Check for noises, vibrations, tracking, steering, braking function, turn signal canceling, engine performance, proper shifting of transmission.
REPAIRS AND SERVICE
- We offer repair and service of any automotive system in your German car, electrical, mechanical or electronic.
- Though reading the diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) is included in this car check, further testing and diagnosing of a code, if found, is done at additional charge at the request of the customer.
