Where to get a used vehicle inspected? (NW Calgary) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

tvp2003 · 03-18-2009, 06:26 PM

I'm interested in buying a used car (private sale), but want to get it inspected for any mechanical problems or maintenance issues. Can anyone recommend a good mechanic or auto repair shop (preferrably in North Central or NW Calgary) that can do this? About how much is this going to cost?

Alternatively, would you recommend taking it into a Ford dealership (it's a newer Ford vehicle

) to get it inspected? Any positives or negatives in doing this instead?

Bagor · 03-18-2009, 06:42 PM

AMA should have a list. Best I can offer.

PsYcNeT · 03-18-2009, 06:59 PM

OK Tire on Northmount.

Best group of mechanics I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with

ericschand · 03-19-2009, 07:26 AM

Ceritgard in Silver Springs. Talk to Steve. I believe it's around $70 or $80 for it.

edit: If it's newer, take the VIN to any Ford dealership. They should be able
to pull maintenance records on it. Also do a CarFax report on it.

ers

Calgary '89 · 03-19-2009, 09:37 AM

I'd say don't buy a Ford. But if you must, I've heard good things about Certigard in Silver Springs.

CRXguy · 03-19-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericschand

Ceritgard in Silver Springs. Talk to Steve. I believe it's around $70 or $80 for it.

edit: If it's newer, take the VIN to any Ford dealership. They should be able
to pull maintenance records on it. Also do a CarFax report on it.

ers

CarFax is only accurate if you're buying from the U.S.

Use CarProof when buying in Canada.

Shazam · 03-19-2009, 11:56 AM

Eh? CarFax works here too.

tvp2003 · 03-19-2009, 01:45 PM

Thanks for the info everyone!

Yeah, apparently CarProof has a lot more information for Canadian cars... CarFax also keeps records, but it's primarily for US vehicles (IIRC).

@theCBE · 03-19-2009, 02:03 PM

CarProof was pretty good. Gives you a lot of info.

Just had a car inspected by Certech Automotive in Ranchlands.. they did a good thorough Job but it was a little expensive at $120.. that was the AMA discounted price.

Just found out the little weasel that is selling us the Car has decided to sell to someone else for $500 more despite assurances that we had a good faith deal and he was taking it off the market. I hate people.

Shazam · 03-19-2009, 02:12 PM

I got more info with the CarFax report than I did with the CarProof...

DESS · 03-19-2009, 02:14 PM

I've been to Certech in Ranchlands as well (few years ago now). I gave the mechanic $20 to say the car needed a bunch of crap it didn't. Try to do that if you can as it will give you a lot of leverage in negotiating the price down. Just don't go too far or it will be obvious what you're up to.

Shazam · 03-19-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DESS

I've been to Certech in Ranchlands as well (few years ago now). I gave the mechanic $20 to say the car needed a bunch of crap it didn't. Try to do that if you can as it will give you a lot of leverage in negotiating the price down. Just don't go too far or it will be obvious what you're up to.

Man, you play the people here like a fiddle.

burnin_vernon · 03-19-2009, 02:44 PM

BCAA does a very thorough mobile inspection/road test.. not cheap at around $150 or so I think

ericschand · 03-20-2009, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by @theCBE

CarProof was pretty good. Gives you a lot of info.

Just had a car inspected by Certech Automotive in Ranchlands.. they did a good thorough Job but it was a little expensive at $120.. that was the AMA discounted price.

Just found out the little weasel that is selling us the Car has decided to sell to someone else for $500 more despite assurances that we had a good faith deal and he was taking it off the market. I hate people.

If you are serious about buying the car, leave a deposit when you decide you want
it but require the mechanic to check it out. $50 or so, no matter what the selling
price. Try to negotiate along the lines of "If it passes the inspection, with less than
$200 in repair required, I'll give you $10,000 for it. If more work is required, we can
renegotiate or call it off." Then leave a $50 deposit, after all, like above, you don't
want to spend the money on the inspection to find out he's sold it. Put it in writing.

If he still sells the car, there really isn't much you can do short of suing, but it
puts a good faith clause on the seller in writing.

ers

@theCBE · 03-20-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericschand

If you are serious about buying the car, leave a deposit when you decide you want
it but require the mechanic to check it out. $50 or so, no matter what the selling
price. Try to negotiate along the lines of "If it passes the inspection, with less than
$200 in repair required, I'll give you $10,000 for it. If more work is required, we can
renegotiate or call it off." Then leave a $50 deposit, after all, like above, you don't
want to spend the money on the inspection to find out he's sold it. Put it in writing.

If he still sells the car, there really isn't much you can do short of suing, but it
puts a good faith clause on the seller in writing.

ers

I know I should have put it in writing, but practically speaking any conditional Bill of sale is virtually useless. Might have a bit more weight if it was with a dealership but there is not much I can do about a private sale.

The best I could hope for with a conditional bill of sale is to reclaim my inspection costs in small claims court.. the filing fee there is $100.. its not even worth the hassel.

As for a deposit... Onus is usually on the seller to require a deposit, not buyer. I have never heard of a buyer willing giving up a deposit without even being requested to do so. I'm glad I didn't as well.. the guy turned out to be a complete ######bag. I wouldn't be surprised if he would have kept it and still sold the car to someone else.