2012 Best Cars for the Money Awards - MSN Autos

It has a salvaged title but the accident was very minor.

Yeah right. Why do most sellers of salvaged cars always make out that the accident was minor? If it has a salvaged title then you are safe to assume that the car was most likely in a major accident. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes they are fixed appropriately. Unfortunately most of the salvaged cars we look at were fixed by people that have no idea what they are doing and are only looking to make a quick easy buck. Be careful when buying a salvaged vehicle. You might get a good vehicle out of it but it may turn out to be a lemon.

WHAT AN INSPECTOR SEES IS WHAT THE BUYER GETS

Nearly all auto service facilities — from chain repair stores to dealerships to independent garages — offer some type of pre-purchase inspection. The going price is about $200 to $300. Most repair facilities will give a quick description of the number of points in the inspection and how it is conducted. Not all who claim to be pre-purchase used car inspectors, however, do a thorough job. The findings of inspections are not guaranteed.

One of the biggest problems in private-party transactions is setting expectations. With a good inspection, you know what you are getting. Automotive experts agree that a good inspection serves several functions:

    * Verifies the equipment, or options, on the car

    * Confirms the condition level of the car

    * Reveals hidden problems with the body, frame or engine

    * Finds engine codes that can reveal engine problems

    * Builds confidence in the value of the vehicle

Many major problems that can be spotted by a good inspector include:

Frame damage — If the frame shows damage it indicates the car has been in a serious accident. Unless it has been repaired correctly, the car's wheels might not track properly, causing the vehicle to pull to one side and eventually leading to tire damage.

Poor previous repair work — This could range from sloppy bodywork to improper installation of modifications.

Smoker's car — If a car is being purchased remotely, via eBay for example, the seller could disguise the fact that someone has smoked in the car. Smoke gets into the vehicle's headliner and upholstery, and it is impossible to remove the smell.

Flood-damaged car — A vehicle history report can red flag a flood-damaged car unless its title has been falsified. If that's the case, then it's important for an inspector to check for signs of water damage.

Mobile or Garage Inspection?

Many people will be faced with the choice of having a mobile inspector look at a car or taking the vehicle to a local mechanic. While it's most important to get a qualified inspection, each method offers its advantages and disadvantages.

A mobile inspection is fast and convenient. The inspector comes to your home or office and performs the inspection on-site. An inspection report is printed out on the spot and given to the buyer or seller. Inspectors also photograph any damage and take shots of the vehicle from different angles.

Inspections done by your local mechanic, or the service department of a dealership specializing in that brand of car, are performed with more specialized equipment. Primarily, the car can be put up on a lift and the underside of the car examined for fluid leaks.

Now, however, there are mobile inspectors who can perform the same functions.

While no inspection is guaranteed to find every flaw in a used car, a trained eye can help you avoid serious problems. Given the fact that thousands of dollars are at stake, an hour of your time and $119.95 is good insurance against the unknown.

Lemon Squad Used Car Inspections Don't Buy a Lemon

"Million Mile Joe" One of our inspectors.