There’s a reason why the price of a used car is too good to be true: Here’s how to squeeze out the lemons

Lower prices can be a great buying opportunity for a used car. Maybe the seller is extra-keen to sell. Maybe they just need the money in a hurry.

Or maybe the car has a serious problem.

Sometimes it might seem like you’ve hit the jackpot and found the used car you really want to buy. It looks great, it’s got everything you want, and it’s quite a bit cheaper compared to other examples for sale.

But if it seems too good to be true, sometimes it is.

We see this often at Carinspect. Plenty of used car bargains can sometimes hide a technical issue… or ten.

If you jump in and buy that ‘too-cheap’ car, you could be left holding a potential technical nightmare: A car that faults and spends most of its time sitting in pieces inside a workshop.

We know this all too well. It can burn a hole in both your wallet and your sanity.?

Here's the truth: If you unwittingly find yourself the owner of a used car that repeatedly and unexpectedly faults, you could be in for some expensive and stressful repair bills.

Electronics that switch off or fail without notice, engines that stall unexpectedly, transmissions that slip, thump and grind; these can all be costly to fully diagnose and repair.

The average age of a car in Australia is more than 10 years. Not all these vehicles will have been serviced and cared for correctly, leading to more potential problems.

Even worse, it can mean being stuck with a car other buyers won’t touch, leaving you holding a potential lemon.

Recent research by the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) surveyed people who had bought at least one new or used car in the past five years. 17 per cent said their car experienced a major safety fault, such as the engine cutting out or the transmission failing.

Those issues are serious concerns.

With the right help, Australian consumers can detect these potential issues before they buy.

A comprehensive pre-purchase used car inspection by Carinspect can help steer buyers around a used car they might wish to avoid buying.

A thorough technical check by one of our fully qualified and insured mobile mechanics from our nationwide group can reveal important and trusted insights to help you buy with confidence and peace of mind.

Our turnaround times for pre-purchase inspection reports are unmatched. Sometimes we can complete an inspection and send you the report on the same day we process your online booking!

One of the biggest benefits about our process is the Carinspect mechanic will phone you immediately after they’ve finished the inspection. They will answer any questions you might have and by the time you’re off the phone, the report will be sitting in your email inbox. Magic!

And we’ve got a lot of engine power.

We’ve provided more than 10,000 vehicle inspections for individual buyers, dealers and large companies since we started in 2021.

We can also arrange interstate vehicle transport and help with finance, as well as Used Car Extended Warranties.

But there’s one essential thing you need as a used-car buyer, and that’s the knowledge you’re not buying into a costly disaster.

Get the right insights from the people who know before you buy a used car. It could save you.

Find out more at carinspect.com.au