Is it necessary to hire a mechanic to inspect the car when buying from a 4S store?
4 Answers
You can ask a maintenance mechanic to inspect the vehicle. This method can provide more reassurance that the purchased motor vehicle is brand new, avoiding future usage troubles. The 4S store will not refuse this behavior as it is a very normal inspection process for the motor vehicle. Exterior: Don't rush to get in the car. Walk around it a few times to check if the paint surface is complete, without scratches, and the paint color is consistent. Look at the body curves from a side angle to ensure they are smooth and free of dents. Lights: Make sure to test each light to see if it works properly. Under the hood: Open the engine hood and check for any abnormalities inside, such as various fluids. A little dust is fine. Check if the coolant level is between min and max, and inspect visible pipelines for any wear.
Although 4S stores are official channels, it's essential to have a knowledgeable mechanic inspect the car upon delivery. When I bought my car, the situation I encountered was that new cars inevitably get minor scratches during transportation, which 4S stores clean up beforehand—something non-professionals can't detect at all. The inspector can spot signs of screws being turned on the door panels and check if the chassis has any deformation from scraping, details crucial for later safety. They also use professional equipment to test the battery life and whether the tires have been replaced. Last time, a friend found tiny cracks on the windshield when picking up the car, caused by the manufacturer during shipping. Without inspection, they would have had to pay out of pocket to replace the glass after a few months when it cracked. Spending 200 yuan for two hours with a mechanic saves the hassle of disputes and repairs later—personally, I think it's quite cost-effective.
Hiring a professional to inspect a new car before delivery is a wise choice. Once, after negotiating the price with a 4S dealership, I signed the contract right away. Upon delivery, I discovered the air vents were jammed. Later, I learned that the interior parts of that batch of cars were deformed due to cargo compression during logistics. If I had a knowledgeable friend to check the interior seams at the time, I could have swapped the car on the spot. Professional inspectors excel at uncovering such hidden issues: checking if the engine oil level is normal, ensuring body panel gaps are even, and identifying loose interior panels or abnormal noises. Even when buying from a 4S store, you might encounter display models or stock vehicles, with dead batteries being a common issue. A 30-minute pre-delivery inspection can help avoid these pitfalls, especially for problems like abnormal engine noises that only surface after a few days of driving.
It is advisable to have a professional inspect the car, primarily to avoid the blind spot of transport damage. When unloading from the transport truck, it's easy to scrape the underbody panels, and inexperienced owners often overlook checking the underside. Last time, when accompanying a friend to buy a car, we noticed slight deformation on the transmission oil pan, and the dealership immediately replaced it with a new one. Key inspection points include checking if the body sealant is intact and if the tire production dates are consistent. New cars can also have fluid leaks, especially at the power steering hose connections. Spending a little money for peace of mind is better than discovering issues after driving home and then having to fight for your rights.
