Did you know that checking car repair history saves you from a potential car accident? According to the US Department Of Transportation, 2% of all vehicle crashes are due to mechanical failure or degradation. For this reason, it is prudent to check car repair history before buying it. Doing so will help avoid potentially fatal accidents resulting from car care negligence.
Usually, new cars don’t have unforeseen surprises. But when dealing with used vehicles, you must brace yourself for potential issues. To be on the safe side, you’d want to gather as much information as possible to help you make an informed decision. There are ways to check car repair history accurately, which we’ll cover in this article. You’ll need to carefully examine services such as window replacement, duplication of car keys, and electrical repair to detect car care negligence that may be fatal in the long run.
Keep reading this article to learn how to check car repair history accurately. You do not need to be a mechanic to do this, and it’s pretty straightforward.
Let’s start!
Why You Should Check Vehicle History
Before purchasing a used vehicle, it is advisable to do a vehicle history search. It helps determine the car’s “well-being and puts you on a level negotiation ground with the seller. Besides helping you determine a used car’s value, checking the vehicle history also has the following benefits.
1. Verifying the Mileage
The last thing you want is to buy an old vehicle packaged as relatively new. If you agree, check car repair history to determine whether the odometer correctly displays used car mileage. If you find an extensive discrepancy, there’s a reason to suspect unscrupulous individuals have tampered with the odometer to dupe unsuspecting buyers. To avoid being a victim of conmanship, always examine the vehicle repair history.
2. Helps Find Hidden Damage
It isn’t easy to identify a car’s hidden damage, and sometimes even experienced automotive experts may miss a few damage repairs. For this reason, before buying a used car, check car repair history to determine the vehicle’s condition. Hidden car damage can cause fatal accidents, as it can quickly build up to severe mechanical malfunction if not appropriately rectified.
- 3. Check Car Repair History and Car Care Routine
A properly maintained vehicle lasts longer. Service centers and dealerships report repair and maintenance services such as fluid changes and car recalls. Such information helps car owners keep car records and adequately aids buyers in the following way.-
- Know whether the car owner has maintained the vehicle properly
- Helps you make a proper estimate of the actual value of the car
- Making an informed decision on whether to buy the vehicle or not
- Allows the buyer to avoid possible accidents due to mechanical negligence
Protect Buyers Against Title Cleansing
Cleaning involves producing a new title without branding. Therefore, without a vehicle’s report, it becomes impossible to distinguish salvaged cars from those with a clean history. Different states possess varying regulations for licensing and reporting salvaged or rebuilt vehicles. These differences allow unscrupulous car dealers to move a car with a salvaged title across borders and leverage the states with more friendly registration laws.
Focus Areas When Checking Car Repair History Effectively
You don’t have to examine vehicles blindly. It is wise to create a checklist for better results. Check car repair history effectively by prioritizing the following services.
1. Radio Repair
Although a car will still get you from point A to point B without a car radio, most people prefer a working entertainment system, especially on long drives. For this reason, it is essential to check on past broadcasting equipment repair history to determine the possibility of any recurring problem.
Just like other car electrical systems, a car radio system proves complex, and when one part of the radio malfunctions, chances are the whole system stops working altogether. In this case, troubleshooting car radio challenges can be overwhelming. For this reason, you may need a professional to take you through the repair history to check the status of the car radio for advice and diagnosis. A car with a history of problematic radio is a red flag. There are likely underlying issues that could mean costly repairs to the infotainment system in the future. So, are you ready to foot the costs or forgo entertainment in your car?
Below are potential radio defects that you may need the electrical technician to check whether they are in good shape.
Wiring Short
When the wires in the audio system short circuit, you’ll notice erratic operation. Such a situation leads to blowing fuses in rapid succession, which means you’ll be replacing the fuses after a short period.
A Damaged Speaker Wire
When you turn on a car radio, you expect the speakers to rent the car with great sounds. However, if it is all silent in the car, chances are the defect is from a damaged speaker wire. In this case, a radio repair diagnosis is unavoidable.
Blown fuse
If a car radio fails to turn on, you might want to get your fuses checked. The most probable cause of this problem is blown fuses.
Damage tuner or antenna
Suppose the car’s cd player is in great shape, and the radio is not working. Get the tuner or antenna checked; the problem might be because of a damaged tuner or antenna in such cases.
2. Towing Services
Most towing companies come to the rescue whenever vehicles break down on the road due to bad weather or severe mechanical challenges – especially when fixing them on the roadside becomes impossible. Also, after a new purchase, the new car owner may decide to tow their new car back home, especially when the car has no insurance or still needs to be registered. For this reason, towing services are significantly critical when drivers can’t drive their vehicles.
That said, you’ll need to check the car history to decipher the mechanical malfunction that caused the car to break down and the severity of the damage. A history of frequent towing could be a telltale sign of a problematic vehicle.
3. AC Repair
When temperatures are high during a hot summer, there’s nothing more refreshing than enjoying a cool-down from the AC. Generally, your car’s AC system will make you comfortable when the heat is unbearable. Therefore, an AC repairs check is a must.
Below are some of the reasons that cause a car’s AC malfunctions.
- Lose ac fittings
- Worn out O-rings, seals, and hoses
- Electrical fault when the compressor fails to engage after turning on the system
- Internal obstruction
Driving a car with an AC malfunction is hazardous – and probably a life-death situation. Recheck the AC system before purchasing a used car to avoid compromising your car’s safety. You might want to walk away from a vehicle with a history of AC malfunction.
4. Duplicating Car Keys
Before buying a used car, you’ll need to check the car repair history to see whether the key has been duplicated. A duplicate key isn’t necessarily bad. In fact, it is wise to visit a car key maker to duplicate your car keys for various reasons, such as losing or accidentally locking them in your car. Having a backup pair of car keys is a good plan, and it is imperative that you give the spare keys to family members or closest friends.
Possessing an extra car key saves you a lot of hassle, especially in a hurry. You do not have to waste much time calling a locksmith to save your day. However, past car key repairs are bad news. It could mean the locking system is altered, which makes your car susceptible to theft. So, you’ll want to visit locksmiths for a custom locking system.
5. Heating Repair
When temperatures drop, you’ll need to keep warm when driving in the winter. For this reason, if a car has a heating repair history, it will help to contact a car heating company to recheck the heating system, especially when dealing with a used car, for possible recurring heating system malfunctions.
Some of the reasons why your heating system may fail to work again include the following:-
- Blown fuses or faulty wiring
- Faulty thermostat
- A clogged heater core
- Malfunctioned HVAC controls
- Faulty heater fan
- A leaking radiator
- Malfunctioned blower motor resistor
You shouldn’t compromise your safety during the winter. Always keep the heating diagnosis in your mind when you check car repair history.
6. Window Replacement
You need to know the status of the car windows before making the purchase. If you find window repairs in the car repair history, you’ll need to check whether the work is up to standard. Usually, car windows don’t have laminated glass like windshields; they have tampered glass. Tampered glass lacks interior plastic layers, which is the case for laminated glass, making windows irreparable in case of sizeable damage. If the window has minimal damage, such as film delamination, it is possible to repair it. However, shattering cracks and holes in the glass calls for window replacement entirely.
Although the industry is flooded with window treatment businesses, dealing with a verified professional is recommended for a job well done. You don’t want to accept shoddy fixes. For safety standards, always opt for a qualified window replacement technician.
7. Car Wax
Most car owners focus on transmission, suspension, and engine service maintenance. But exterior car care is as important as interior service maintenance. For this reason, you’ll need to investigate if the car had previous exterior work done in the repair history, such as a paint job or dent repair. If not, consider waxing your car, which will be beneficial in the following ways:-
Protects Your Car From Scratches
Usually, car wax is a combination of natural oils and carnauba wax which act as shine enhancers and wax hardeners. The ingredients provide a thin layer of paint protection on the body, preventing scratches while cleaning the car.
Adds Aesthetic Value to Your Vehicle
Waxing your vehicle adds that extra aesthetic sparkle by improving the luster of the car’s paint. It improves the aesthetic value of your vehicle by making it clean and shiny, giving it a brand-new, pristine appearance.
Protects car paint from exposure
All vehicles are exposed to harsh weather elements, such as ultraviolet rays, hail, and snow, which may potentially damage your vehicle’s paint. Oxidation is mostly responsible for damage during bad weather. A protective layer through waxing protects your car from severe environmental damage.
8. Electrical Repair
Does the car you plan to buy have an electrical repair history? Ideally, you want to ensure your vehicle works optimally. For this reason, car owners hire an electrical contractor due to the complexity of electrical repairs. If you notice a clicking or grinding noise when starting a vehicle, consider scheduling the car for diagnosis.
Although a car battery lasts between three and six years, it is advisable to change it after every four years to be safe. Dashboard lights need to illuminate effectively. Dim headlights when driving slowly indicate that your car has an electrical malfunction that requires a professional’s attention. Check the car repair history to get a sneak peek at the car’s electrical problems. Did the previous repair solve the problem? If not, you might need expert repair services before closing the deal.
9. Driveway Repair
Have you noticed any cracks in your driveway? Or perhaps your asphalt driveway is slowly fading. Probably weeds have taken over your driveway. If so, it is time to contact the asphalt company for driveway repairs.
Although most car owners do not consider driveway repairs part of their car care routine, in a true sense, it is. A cracked driveway with substantial potholes threatens your car’s suspension and wheels. Repairing your driveway not only adds aesthetic beauty to your home but also protects your vehicle in the long run.
10. Car Roof Repair
Getting a roofing service for your car should be your priority if you notice roof defects such as water sipping, a common problem in hailstone-prone areas. But before scheduling a car roof repair service, you’ll need to check the genesis of the problem in the car repair history to understand the defect properly. Also, car roofing lining helps regulate your car’s temperature and sound. So, if you find outside noises finding their way into the car or perhaps sudden temperature changes, consider scheduling a car roof repair appointment.
In Summary
Check car repair history to gather information about a used vehicle before making a purchase. Doing so will help you make an informed decision on whether to buy the vehicle. While at it, focus on services such as radio, AC repair, window replacement, heating, and electrical repair. Don’t only focus on the car interiors; exteriors such as paintwork are also essential. You’ll need to wax your vehicle to protect it from harmful weather elements like rain, ultraviolet rays, and snow. Now, go ahead and buy that car you’ve been eyeing for a while.
