Who will you trust to inspect your next used car purchase?

Today's used vehicles are technological marvels. They contain very sophisticated mechanical and electrical systems, complex frame construction, and have computers controlling many systems.

A comprehensive pre-purchase inspection can either be performed by a mobile service or a fixed location. Mobile service should include inspection and diagnostic equipment, and hydraulic lift to get under the vehicle. The Technician is the most important element of the inspection.

What type of Automotive Technician do you need?

To determine what type of Automotive Technician is needed, you need to understand how Technicians are tested and certified. Most automotive Technicians are certified by a national testing organization called National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Technicians need to be certified in at least one of the eight general automotive areas to be considered "ASE Certified." An ASE Master Technician is certified in all eight areas. A Master Certification is very difficult to accomplish. Most repair shops do not employ a Master Technicians. If they do, the Master Technician is usually the highest paid Technician and works on the most complicated repairs.

A Master Technician is a person that has obtained the required experience and is currently certified in the eight automotive testing areas below:

1. Engine Repair
2. Automatic Trans/Transaxle
3. Manual Drive Train and Axles
4. Suspension and Steering
5. Brakes
6. Electrical/Electrical Systems
7. Heating and Air Conditioning
8. Engine Performance

The best kind of certified technician is an ASE Certified Master Technician. These Technicians are qualified to inspect the entire vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems; and a ASE Frame Technician is needed to properly inspect for existing and previous frame damage.

Here's the tricky part.

Technicians get paid to repair vehicles. The more repairs they suggest, the more they get paid. There is a conflict of interest when a repair shop inspects a vehicle and then offers to fix what they have found. Every part and component of the vehicle has a useful lifespan, and some Technicians will try to replace components that sill have useful life on them just to make more money. A certified Technician who is independent from a shop that would be performing any repairs on your potential vehicle is probably the best.

Interested in having an ASE certified Master Technician inspect your next used car or truck? Visit LemonSquad.com.