Buying a used vehicle can be exciting! Discovering thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs after you've purchased it? Not so much….

A vehicle can look great, drive reasonably well and still have mechanical problems, overdue maintenance or safety concerns that aren't obvious during a test drive. At Kinetic Auto Service in Regina, our pre-purchase vehicle inspections help you understand the condition of a used vehicle before making a financial commitment.

We don't just look for problems, we help you understand what those problems could mean for your budget, and how to use that information when making your purchasing decision.

What Does a Pre-Purchase Inspection Include?

Our technicians perform a thorough assessment of the vehicle's mechanical condition, safety-related components and everyday features.

Mechanical and Safety Inspection

Depending on the vehicle, our inspection includes:

• Engine operation and visible fluid leaks
• Transmission operation 
• Steering and suspension components
• Brake condition and wear
• Tire condition and wear patterns
• Exhaust system condition
• Cooling system 
• Fluid levels and visible fluid condition
• Battery testing
• Undercarriage and accessible mechanical components
• Road test to assess vehicle operation, handling and unusual noises

Interior Features and Vehicle Functionality

Mechanical condition isn't the only thing that matters when buying a used vehicle. We also check the operation of accessible features and equipment, including:

• Power windows
• Door operation and locking mechanisms
• Sunroofs and moonroofs
• Cruise control
• Heating and air conditioning
• Lights and other electrical accessories
• Entertainment and infotainment features, where testing is possible

These features can be surprisingly expensive to repair, and it's better to know about problems before you buy.

A CARFAX Vehicle History Report Is Included

Our service advisors run a CARFAX vehicle history report on every pre-purchase inspection. This provides additional information about the vehicle's reported history. A CARFAX report doesn't guarantee that every past event has been recorded, but it adds another valuable piece of information to your purchasing decision. Combined with our physical inspection, it helps give you a more complete picture of the vehicle you're considering.

A Detailed Digital Inspection Report With Photos

When your inspection is complete, you'll receive a digital vehicle inspection report with technician notes and photographs. This allows you to see what we've found rather than relying on a verbal description alone.

We'll help you understand:

• Which items may require immediate attention
• Which repairs or maintenance services should be planned for
• What appears to be in acceptable condition based on our inspection
• How the vehicle's condition could affect your ownership costs

Our goal is to give you useful, understandable information, not simply a long list of technical terms.

We Can Help You Negotiate a Fair Purchase Price

Here's something many buyers don't consider. A vehicle that needs repairs isn't necessarily a bad purchase. But the price should reflect its condition. For example, if the vehicle needs brakes, tires or overdue maintenance, those costs should be considered when deciding what you're willing to pay.

At Kinetic, we help you understand the maintenance and repairs the vehicle may need so you can have a more informed conversation with the seller. We can provide advice on how the vehicle's condition may affect your negotiation. Sometimes the right decision is to negotiate a lower price. Other times, the inspection may uncover concerns significant enough to reconsider the purchase altogether. Either way, you'll be making that decision with more information.

Why Have an Independent Shop Inspect a Used Vehicle?

A seller may genuinely believe their vehicle is in excellent condition, but that doesn't mean they're aware of every developing mechanical problem or overdue maintenance item. An independent pre-purchase inspection gives you a professional assessment focused on helping you understand the vehicle's condition. Our technicians evaluate what they can observe and test during the inspection, explain their findings and help you understand the potential costs involved.

It's a relatively small investment compared with the cost of purchasing a vehicle that needs major unexpected repairs.



Buying a Used Vehicle? Start With Kinetic.

Whether you're buying from a dealership or a private seller, we can inspect the vehicle before you make your decision. Either the buyer or seller can arrange to bring the vehicle to our Regina shop, and if you decide to purchase it, we can help you establish a personalized preventative maintenance plan to keep it running reliably.

Call us or book online to make an appointment for a pre-purchase vehicle inspection - make your next vehicle purchase with greater confidence!