Full professional inspection by an expert in car appraisal! – Instruction

A new car costs a fortune only to have a £100 scrappage cost at the end of its life. When in doubt, a car valuation expert can help you prevent a bad purchase.

This applies to almost any car. Only a few exceptions like certain types Porsche or luxury brands , such as Ferrari or Lamborghini always retain a high residual value. Therefore, the owner is interested in knowing the real value of his car. Ultimately, when selling or buying a used car, the issue of value is decisive.

What does a car valuation expert look for?

A car valuation expert tasked with determining the value of a car works from the outside in.
. First of all, the initial data is important:

– year of construction – Mileage – General external condition

With age, the car loses its value. . First пять лет the loss of value is especially great. Count on anything in between 30 and 50% . It's just the law of supply and demand: out of a certain amount, the competition of a similar new car is too strong for an old used car to maintain its price .

As revealing as his age is the impact of his mileage. The higher the mileage on the odometer, the closer the moment when the car will need spare parts . Auto parts are made for a certain mileage. Exceeding it, the parts begin to fail, and relatively synchronously, through 20–000 km mileage . This can only be partly countered by careful maintenance bookkeeping.

Auto repair shops have manufacturers' maintenance plans and know exactly when to check a component and when to replace it proactively. Thus, a car with a well-preserved service book and 250 km on the odometer can be rated higher than a similar car with 000 km without a service book. .

Ultimately the general condition both inside and outside has a significant impact on its residual value. A dirty interior, dented and scratched bodywork, and small rust spots can cut the expected selling price by more than half.

A little training effort is definitely worth it .

Step 2: Look under the metal

The second step of a car appraiser is to carefully inspect the bodywork. Important factors are:

– Accidental damage and its repair – Rust damage

No accident damage, no matter how well repaired, escapes the attention of a professional car valuation expert. It is important for the service provider to determine if the car is safe for traffic . Externally, the car can look perfect - when the body is warped, the car is suitable only as a supplier of spare parts. Depending on how skillfully the emergency repair was carried out, a non-specialist can easily observe it.

The auto-appraiser immediately notices that the car is being painted over . This always makes him suspicious, as it is an effective way to hide dents. In the past, a small magnet was used as an evaluation tool . At body alignment points, the magnet does not stick . Professional auto experts now have in its standard equipment a device for measuring the thickness of the paintwork , which allows the service provider to determine whether the spot has been leveled and the thickness of the layer. The thicker the layer, the deeper the dent and the more severe the collision. .

Putty and paint are used not only for accidents and dents . Rust is often covered with these agents. Careful and professional repair of rust damage results in only a very thin layer of putty, if any. Before this, it is necessary to professionally sand and seal the main rust. If a rust spot or rusty hole is simply repaired, it can take several months for new rust to appear. Therefore, rusty holes must be welded. A weld spot is visible and negatively affects the residual value of the car, but it will be more mercifully appreciated than a thick layer of putty.

Engine and suspension

Ultimately, the specialist checks the engine and suspension . An experienced eye is very important, especially when buying a used car. An expert can determine the condition of the engine if the claimed mileage is plausible.

For a car with 80 km there should be no oil leakage from under the gaskets. Vehicle with mileage of 180 or 000 km often has oil leaks when no obvious repairs have been made.

The condition of the suspension, brakes, dampers and steering provides information on how the vehicle has been treated. . An experienced car valuation expert will immediately see if a car has been repeatedly pushed to its limit or has been treated with more or less care. Obvious wheel rim scratches, ball joint rattling, or wishbone quirks can reduce a car's value by several hundred pounds.

The interior really says a lot.

The interior of a car says a lot about how it was treated. . A car for smokers today can hardly be sold to a non-smoker. The smell of nicotine has a strong effect on the interior. In addition, burns on upholstery, carpets and interior trim are not far off in a car for smokers. No matter how professional the cleaning is, it takes a significant investment to get rid of marks adequately. Alternatively, the seller may accept a loss of value when the vehicle appraiser sees telltale signs.

Just like the engine, steering wheel, shift lever, driver's seat and pedals can be used to read mileage . The apparent mileage can be adequately checked for validity. If a car with 80 miles has worn or brand new pedal covers and the steering wheel and shift knob are shiny, then something is wrong. .

Car Accident Appraisal Expert

A collision expert can be hired to evaluate a used vehicle as well as assess damage from an accident . It is advisable to involve an independent expert in car valuation. The service provider called in by the opposing insurance company is sure to use its volume to "discount" damages. Reason obvious: an insurance company that saves a few shillings on each loss makes a significant annual profit . The injured party pays for this.

The expert not only assesses the damage to the car. Upon request, he can compile a report on the cost of all damages received for all parties involved, including car rental costs, lost profits, repairs and more, all combined in this amount. . The report is the basis for further consideration by the opposing insurer. In the event of a dispute, the statement may serve as evidence in a court decision.

Special occasion classic cars

After an indecisive start in the 1970s and 1980s, the classic car trade boomed. . The value of almost every model increases as soon as it reaches a certain age. After all, a modern thirty year old car was built in the late eighties. . Cars were already of good quality. No wonder the classic car market is well equipped. However, individual types can reach staggering values.

Distinguishing a valuable classic car from an old car is a real challenge. . Ordinary BMW E30 with 90 hp second-hand hardly compares to E30 M3 in new condition . First available less than 1000 euros , while M3 can bring a hundred times more. The boundary between both extremes is the twilight zone. Adequate determination of the actual cost of the car, of course, is the business of a professional.

Expertise creates security

Whether you are trading used cars, classic cars or luxury cars, an expert is always worth the price. . It offers the buyer as well as the seller a solid basis for negotiation. In the event of an accident, the services of an accident expert are indispensable. With the professional verdict of a certified expert, the insurer and the injured party have maximum legal certainty. The cost of an appraiser is always a smart investment.