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--- rv:assessment [2023/08/28 02:40]
princess_fluffypants [Mechanic's inspection]
+++ rv:assessment [2024/08/30 12:54] (current)
frater_secessus [non-local vehicles]
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Assessing a vehicle for possible purchase ======
+"//No van ever costs less than $5,000.//" - Anonymous
 ===== Do extensive research on the exact vehicle you're looking at =====
@@ Line 33: / Line 34: @@
   * 300,000+ miles
     * This is the danger zone, only experienced mechanics should be looking for vehicles in this range.  They can still be acceptably reliable, but you need to know what you're doing.
-===== Mechanic's inspection =====
-If the vehicle still interests you after the above it is time for a **pre-sale inspection**.
-The potential vehicle is taken to a preselected mechanic (who knows you're coming!) to have it professionally inspected.  This usually takes less than an hour and costs $50 - $100.
-If you're buying a factory-made RV, you'll want to take it to an RV specific repair shop to have it inspected by someone who specializes in RVs. These inspections take much longer and are more expensive, because they are checking many more systems. Expect to pay $150-200 and it might take a few hours.
-If the seller balks at the inspection you might sweeten the deal by offering to provide him with a copy of the inspection.  This will reassure him you are honest and give him something to show other buyers if you decide to pass.  If the seller still won't allow the vehicle to be inspected it may be safest to assume they are hiding something about the vehicle's condition.
-On new or nearly-new vehicles the mechanic may find nothing interesting.  On older vehicles there will generally be work needed immediately or at some future time; this isn't necessarily a problem, but you should take it into account when negotiating the price of the vehicle. The mechanic should be able to ballpark the costs of the needed repairs.
@@ Line 159: / Line 148: @@
+===== Mechanic's inspection =====
+If the vehicle still interests you after the above it is time for a **pre-sale inspection**.
+The potential vehicle is taken to a preselected mechanic (who knows you're coming!) to have it professionally inspected.  This usually takes less than an hour and costs $50 - $100.
+If you're buying a factory-made RV, you'll want to take it to an RV specific repair shop to have it inspected by someone who specializes in RVs. These inspections take much longer and are more expensive, because they are checking many more systems. Expect to pay $150-200 and it might take a few hours.
+If the seller balks at the inspection you might sweeten the deal by offering to provide him with a copy of the inspection.  This will reassure him you are honest and give him something to show other buyers if you decide to pass.  If the seller still won't allow the vehicle to be inspected it may be safest to assume they are hiding something about the vehicle's condition.
+On new or nearly-new vehicles the mechanic may find nothing interesting.  On older vehicles there will generally be work needed immediately or at some future time; this isn't necessarily a problem, but you should take it into account when negotiating the price of the vehicle. The mechanic should be able to ballpark the costs of the needed repairs.

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