Pre-Purchase Inspections & Advice
Car Evaluations, Pre-Purchase Inspections, & Advice
Are you considering replacing your vehicle? We can provide valuable advice based on our experience servicing Asian, European & American cars. Purchasing a new or used car doesn’t have to cause anxiety. Let us help alleviate some of the stress associated with this major purchase decision.
Our pre-purchase inspection includes a road test as well as a check for vibrations, oil burning, transmission and clutch operation, steering, drive train, all controls, including wipers/washers, dash lights, heater, and A/C, tires for wear and tread, body for rust, drive line, engine, brakes and suspension.
Once the test has been completed, we’ll give you our honest opinion regarding the condition of the vehicle so that you can make an informed decision.
Schedule Service Appointment
Click below to complete the online form, and we’ll call you back to finalize the details for your auto repair service. Or, if you prefer, just call us at 410-381-2700.
Buying a New Car?
We can help guide you in selecting the perfect new vehicle. There are multiple different factors and circumstances to consider when shopping for a new car. Some questions people ask themselves while shopping for a new car may look like:
- What type of vehicle will best suit my needs?
- Which make/model offers the best value?
- Who has the best safety features?
- What makes/models are most reliable?
- What new technologies are worth considering?
By servicing hundreds of vehicles every month, we quickly learn the good and bad points of different makes and models – things like which are most reliable, and which give car owners the least servicing problems. We are pleased to share this knowledge with our customers.
We will discuss your requirements, your likes and dislikes, and steer you away from vehicles with poor reputations. Of course, the final decision is yours, and personal taste has a major influence, but hopefully our input will help you make an informed choice for greater reliability.
Buying A Used Car?
When buying a used vehicle, you need to be extra cautious. Before you begin shopping, make a short list of the makes and models you like. Then talk to us so we can advise you regarding any less reliable options. After you have selected the model you would like to own, test drive several cars for comparison, making sure to check the air conditioning and all the accessories.
We recommend that you test only cars that have passed the Maryland Safety Inspection. The seller should have the certificate to show this.
Having test driven a selection, pick your favorite and bring it to us for evaluation. Passing our pre-purchase inspection OR the Maryland Inspection may mean it is safe to drive, but does not guarantee that it will not need expensive repairs or maintenance in the near future!
We will perform an extensive check, and give you our honest opinion of the vehicle, so that you can make an informed decision.
Our Checklist for Road Testing Pre-Purchased Vehicles
Road Test
- Check speedometer
- Check for oil burning
- Check vibrations, steering, and drive line
- Check brakes and exhaust condition
- Check transmission and clutch operation
Engine
- Electronic check - including starter and charging systems
- Report on battery leads and condition
- Check manifold for leaks, report missing bolts
- Check heat riser, vacuum units and vacuum hoses
- Check EGR operation, air pump systems
- Check distributor vacuum unit
- Check belts, hoses, radiator, water pump
- Check distributor cap and leads
- Check engine oil condition
Drive Line
- Check U joints, CV joints and boots
- Check engine mounts and transmission mounts
- Check transmission seals and differential seals and gaskets for leaks
- Check condition of auto transmission fluid
Brakes
- Check master cylinder
- Check hoses and lines
- Check wheel cylinders and adjusters
- Check shoes/pads
- Check rotors/drums
- Check hand brake cable and linkage
- Check grease seals
- Check operation of anti-lock brakes
Controls
- Check shocks and struts
- Check control arms
- Check ‘A’ bushes
- Check ball joints, trunions, king pin
Drive Line
- Check U joints, CV joints and boots
- Check engine mounts and transmission mounts
- Check transmission seals and differential seals and gaskets for leaks
- Check condition of auto transmission fluid