Buy safe with a vehicle inspection
.jpg "Almost 200,000 cars are written off every year. But sometimes these cars are incorrectly offered for sale as being roadworthy. Find out how to make sure you don’t buy one.")
A vehicle inspection can help you avoid paying out for a damaged car and losing money.
Book a vehicle inspection with DEKRA
What is a vehicle inspection?
A series of checks which ensures a car is legitimate, in good working order with no faults.
Buying a used car can be a daunting process, especially if the buyer isn’t familiar with vehicle mechanics or doesn’t know what to check.
A professional engineer inspects the car and lets the buyer know if it has any problems. This offers peace of mind and gives the buyer the information they need.
Why should I buy a DEKRA expert vehicle inspection?
Few people have the expertise to distinguish a mechanically sound car from one which could cause problems and future expense.
A fully qualified DEKRA engineer can be sent to a vehicle at any private or trade address in the UK and carry out a full inspection.
These checks and the engineer’s report can help buyers avoid damaged cars, write-offs, stolen cars and ‘cut-n-shuts’ – two cars welded together.
One customer said: “I was very pleased with the service and would highly recommend using DEKRA. The engineer came the day following my booking and the report was excellent.”
Book a vehicle inspection with DEKRA
What’s checked?
Inspections typically include the following:
• Body exterior
• Engine compartment
• Electrical controls
• Interior and luggage compartment
• Front suspension and under frame
• Steering
• Rear suspension and under frame
• Clutch and transmission
• Exhaust system
• Fuel system
• Brakes
• Wheels and tyres
• A road test
• Uneven tyre wear, oil leaks and coolant leaks
View the full list of checks and the different types of inspections offered.
Inspections tend to last between one and three hours. Any vehicle under 15 years old can be inspected, excluding those in DEKRA’s exceptions list.
What types of inspections are there?
• Peace of mind inspection – a 155-point check which covers the technical condition of the vehicle, and assumes the buyer is happy with its appearance
• Comprehensive vehicle inspection – a 206-point check covering all areas of the car, including mechanics, electrics and bodywork
• Engineer's report – a professional assessment of specific mechanical, electrical, bodywork or system problems
• Car data check – a free service for all inspections which ensures the car is legitimate
• Van inspection – a complete 135-point check for vans up to 3,500kg
Find the right check for you with this comparison table.
Book a vehicle inspection with DEKRA
What problems are usually found?
Out of 100 DEKRA inspections, six cars came back with a clean bill of health. The rest came back with various common problems.
Four per cent had ‘significant deficiencies’ such as clutch judder and engines which needed to be regularly restarted. These cars were judged impractical to repair to a satisfactory standard.
Repairs were advised for 17 per cent of cars, which suffered from problems including body damage, dented wheel arches, broken locking wheel nuts and paintwork scratches.
Over 70 per cent needed essential repairs before purchase. Problems included oil leaks, damaged suspension, bent steering rods and track rod arms – all of which are expensive to rectify.
How much does an inspection cost?
• Van inspection – £139
• Engineer's report – £175
• Car data check – free when carried out with an inspection
Price varies depending on engine size for the following:
• Peace of mind inspection – from £99
• Comprehensive vehicle inspection – from £149
How do I book an inspection?
Fill in the form online or call DEKRA on 0800 3345679. You’ll need the vehicle’s details ready.
It’s a good idea to let the person who’s selling the car know you’d like to book an inspection for it before arranging a viewing.
You need to ensure their vehicle has a current MOT certificate and is located on a hard level surface away from a main road. You will also need their permission for a road test.
When will I get the report?
You’ll receive a verbal report from the engineer on the day of inspection and a written report by email the following morning. Alternatively, a copy can be posted.
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