If you're buying a pre-owned vehicle it's a sensible precaution to request an independent vehicle inspection before you decide to purchase. This should be done at a mutually agreed workshop, preferably at the seller's expense. Tell the mechanic inspecting the vehicle that you're a prospective buyer and that you want to know about the car's general condition and mechanical soundness. If the vehicle hasn't undergone a state inspection within the past month, it's advisable to have this done prior to purchase. State emission inspections that are older than 30 days can't be relied on. You may be able to purchase the vehicle on the condition that it passes the state inspection. Even if you have to pay a skilled mechanic to inspect the vehicle for you prior to purchase, the money you pay now can save you a considerably larger sum if the vehicle turns out to need expensive repair work. If an independent inspection is not a practical option, you should at least bring along a skeptical friend with some mechanical knowledge to check the vehicle before you buy. Although some dealers and private individuals prefer to sell the vehicle 'as is', many pre-owned car dealers offer a limited warranty. The lemon laws that apply to new vehicles don't cover pre-owned vehicles, so you should exercise due caution in your purchase. An independent inspection can be an inexpensive common-sense precautionary measure when buying a pre-owned vehicle.
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