Should you bring a mechanic to buy a car?
Absolutely! You can bring an entire team of mechanics if you like, BUT you’d have to pay them all for their time. A better option would be to find the used vehicle you like, then start a conversation with the dealership to bring the vehicle to your mechanic to inspect.
Do car dealerships overcharge for service?
Some people believe that dealerships overcharge, while others say the same of independent garages. But the numbers don’t lie. A 2010 study by AutoMD.com revealed that repairs not covered under warranty cost an average of $300 dollars more at a dealership compared to the average corner repair shop.
What do I need to know about buying a car in NZ?
Check the vehicle’s Certificate of registration, call us, or search online – there are various organisations who do these checks. Is there security interest (eg finance owing) on the vehicle? When you let us know you’ve bought a vehicle, we’ll record you as the registered person in the Motor Vehicle Register.
What to do before buying a used car?
If you know someone in the area where the car is located, you can ask them to recommend a reliable mechanic. Failing that, a dealership that sells that model of vehicle can generally be trusted to provide an accurate assessment.
Where do you go to inspect a car before buying it?
Inspections done by your local mechanic, or the service department of a dealership that sells that brand of car, are performed with more specialized equipment. For example, the inspector can put the car up on a lift and examine the underside for damage, fluid leaks and other irregularities. Buying From a Distance
Do you have to test drive a car before buying it?
No piece of car-buying advice is more often ignored than this: Have a mechanic inspect a used car before you buy it. Why do buyers plunk down thousands of dollars on a car with little more than an around-the-block test drive and a glance under the hood?