I got a phone call from a prospective client this week looking for a pre-purchase inspection on a 1968 Mustang Fastback being sold by a dealer. One interesting aspect was that the caller was a lady and her husband was in the background.

To get the ground rules clear on what they wanted, I asked them all the questions that I would ask if I was the prospective buyer. Was the price realistic for the model and year? Was there a Marti report? Was there any history of previous ownership and restoration? Does the car have its original power train? What was it that they wanted from me in the way of a pre-purchase inspection?

I always explain that we do no mechanical inspection of the vehicle of any type. Mechanical components are normally cheap to repair, but poor body work is very expensive to restore and can undermine the integrity of the vehicle. This questionnaire that I normally go through with every person who wants a pre-purchase inspection usually narrows down their field of concern, and is also likely to take them back to the drawing board if they don’t have a clear idea of the vehicle that they want to buy.

A pre-purchase inspection is a great investment when the outlay on the vehicle is many thousands of dollars and the buyer needs a set of clear eyes to give them a professional perspective on it.

LIPSTICK ON A PIG
Avoiding Life’s Lemons

Lipstick on a Pig features excerpts from the vast library of Maurice Bramhall’s experiences.

When buying a classic car, either modern or old, a pre-purchase inspection is an excellent foundation for long term enjoyment. Knowing what the vehicle needs today to operate safely and enjoyably, and knowing what it is going to need in the immediate future, helps you make a decision on whether to buy the car, and also what kind of offer is realistic. A pre-purchase inspection is an excellent tool with which to negotiate the purchase.

It’s not unusual that the seller does not know the current condition of the car and what it will cost to recondition it to safe and normal operating condition. This is especially true for vehicles that are being sold by an estate where it may have been sitting for several years. When the person selling the vehicle is a spouse or an inheritor, they often have no knowledge of the true condition of the vehicle and its value. It’s a common situation where the long time owner of the vehicle often tells his spouse and family members what great condition the car is in and how valuable it is, but, in the true light of day, after they have died or become infirm, the market does not support the owner’s opinion. A pre-purchase inspection along with research of the current market will help in educating both parties to the transaction.

LIPSTICK ON A PIG
Avoiding Life’s Lemons

Lipstick on a Pig features excerpts from the vast library of Maurice Bramhall’s experiences.