Before You Buy a Used Vehicle (Car Inspection before Buying a Used Vehicle)
Posted September 28, 2025 2:15 AMBefore You Buy a Used Vehicle (Car Inspection before Buying a Used Vehicle)
Perhaps this sounds familiar. Your vehicle seems like it’s been around forever, and you’ve decided it’s time to move on. But when you check the price of new vehicles, the sky-high price tags have you considering a nice, pre-owned one.
So, you start looking through the ads and find a few prospects. A couple look great, and the owners say they’re in like-new shape. But most of us aren’t trained mechanics, nor do we have the equipment to run the tests to determine what’s right and what’s wrong with a used truck, car, SUV or van.
The answer may be to consider having a trained professional perform an independent inspection on the vehicle you have your eye on. Some dealers may conduct their own inspection, but you are best served by having someone not associated with the seller thoroughly check that vehicle you have your eye on.
A technician puts the vehicle up on a lift to look for damage, corrosion or any signs of accidents or flood damage you can’t see when it’s sitting on the ground. A used vehicle inspection includes checking brakes, wheels and tires, belts and hoses, suspension components and the heating/air conditioning systems.
In addition to inspecting the vehicle visually, the technician can use a professional, full-function scanner to look for codes stored in the vehicle’s memory and diagnose other electrical issues. It may also show if there have been any warning lights that have come on recently or if someone has wiped the memory to try to hide something.
Unless you are a professional automotive technician, consider investing in a comprehensive, pre-purchase inspection. No, it can’t guarantee to turn up everything that might fail in the future, but it can be a bargain to have peace of mind that the vehicle you’re considering is worth the considerable investment you are contemplating. It could also give you additional bargaining leverage.
All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903
Smooth Operator (Shock Absorbers)
Posted September 21, 2025 2:15 AMWhen you are comfortably headed down the road, you may not realize how many of the imperfections in the driving surface are being smoothed out, so you hardly feel most of them. You can thank your shock absorbers for a lot of that comfort, and it’s important to make sure you keep your shocks in good shape.
Newer vehicles have shock absorbers in the back wheels with another shock absorbing assembly in the front which may also have a spring component as well, called struts.
Shock absorbers not only keep your vehicle traveling smoothly and comfortably, but they also contribute to its stability. Increased stability will help you be able to handle sharp turns and sudden stops more easily. Shocks also prolong the life of your tires because they’ll grip the road more tightly. And a nice side benefit of that is your tires should last longer.
After months hitting a lot of bumps on uneven road surfaces, eventually your shock absorbers will start to wear. You may notice your vehicle begin to sway more when you go around a corner, and it might be more difficult to steer. Your tires can start to wear unevenly, and the tread may show signs of cupping (flat spots).
Other signs your shocks could need replacing is when you hit a hard bump in the road and your vehicle continues bouncing more than you remember. Your shocks may have suffered extreme damage that can causes fluid inside to leak.
If you notice any of these signs, head on over so we can check things out. We also recommend you have your shocks regularly inspected so you can take care of problems before you start feeling some of those symptoms of wear. Your vehicle’s manufacturer usually will include recommendations in your owner’s manual on how frequently you should have shocks inspected.
All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903
