Want to save money and prevent aggravation? Get a used car inspection

Question: I am in the market for a used car, but I want to make sure I'm not buying a vehicle that's going to break down or cost me a bunch of money. What can I do?

Answer: The best way to protect yourself and your wallet is to bring the vehicle you are interested in purchasing into a mechanic for a full used car inspection. At CARS, our ASE-Certified Master Technicians will perform a 60-point inspection to determine what shape the car or truck is in and what repairs might be needed now or down the road.

It's important to get an inspection whether you are buying from a private seller or a dealership. These inspections are a good idea for "certified" pre-owned cars, too.

Think about it this way: The previous owner and/or selling party doesn't want to invest money into a car they are trying to sell. They aren't going to invest hundreds of dollars for new tires or brakes if they don't absolutely have to. If the vehicle needs work done and you don't know about it, it's money out of your pocket and it could be a safety issue, as well.

Here's another option: If you know the vehicle needs work and still really want to buy it, you can use your knowledge about the needed repairs to negotiate a better price.

When it comes to your safety and saving money, being proactive and spending a little cash now can save you from spending thousands of dollars on a car that's not worth it.

Brian Blohm is the Service Manager and Managing Partner - Operations for CARS of America in Glenview. He is an ASE-Certified Automotive Service Technician and ASE-Certified Service Advisor with more than 25 years of automotive experience. A graduate of Triton College with an associate's degree in Automotive Technology, he has continued his training and education with the Automotive Training Institute and RL O'Connor. You can reach Brian via email at brianb@carsofamericainc.com or by phone at (847) 961-4363.