mechanic checking a list on a clipboard

At A-Ford-Able Auto Repair & Tire Service in St Augustine, FL, we know buying a used car, truck, or SUV can be a gamble. While there are no guarantees, there are key points of inspection that tell us a lot about the condition of a vehicle and how it has been maintained. There are some important points of the inspection we verify when checking out a used vehicle.

How Do the Steering and Suspension Look? - On any used vehicle, it’s essential to carefully check out the suspension and steering components. Not only is it a matter of safety, but it’s also an often-overlooked system and one that can be costly to replace depending on the damage. We inspect components like tie rod ends, ball joints, wheel bearings, and shock absorbers for wear - sometimes it can be subtle, but millimeters matter when you’re talking about front end components.

Suspension and steering components will also often indicate whether or not a car has been in an accident before - typically, if things are knocked too out of whack, adjustments are made in the front end to compensate for not being able to get everything lined up perfectly the way it came new. A vehicle may seemingly drive fine, but underneath there are all sorts of mayhem.

How Much Rust Does the Vehicle Have? - Rust is a big one - it’s not always obvious, and you have to know how much is normal, how much is excessive, and if the location of the rust matters or not. In order to check out the suspension, the used vehicle is typically lifted into the air, as that’s the only way to properly assess the situation. This is a perfect opportunity to see where and how much rust the vehicle has, and if it’s a cause for concern. Rust can start anywhere and affect essentially every system on a vehicle. It can be tricky to find unless you can really get a good view from underneath the vehicle. It’s much more than cosmetic - it determines the structural integrity of a vehicle, and how much work is going to be needed in the future on brakes, suspension, etc. Even a car that looks new on the outside can have extensive rust damage underneath.

Has the Vehicle's Fluid Been Well Maintained? - The condition of coolant, oil, and transmission fluid can often tell a trained professional everything they need to know about a used vehicle. If coolant is making its way into an engine or transmission, or oil or trans fluid is making its way into the coolant, it’s a sure sign that a deal is too good to be true. These repairs can not only be costly, but it’s difficult to assess the damage that’s already been done. If your mechanic finds an issue in the fluids, you’re better off moving on to the next one.

While these aren’t the only things worth checking out on a used vehicle, they are some of the most essential. Trust a trained professional on your next used car purchase, and help put your mind at ease. For the best maintenance and repair shop in St Augustine, FL, call or stop by A-Ford-Able Auto Repair & Tire Service today.



FOR AFFORDABLE AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

TOP SERVICES OFFERED: BRAKE REPAIR, ENGINE REPAIR-COOLING SYSTEM REPAIR, ELECTRICAL REPAIR, EXHAUST SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION REPAIR, A/C REPAIR, AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS, REPROGRAMMING-TOWING, DIESEL, DIESEL REPAIR, FORD DIESEL REPAIR, WATERPUMP, TUNE UP-ANTI THEFT, KEY PROGRAMMING, FORD REPAIR, FORD SPECIALIST, TRAILER REPAIR, WIRING REPAIR, TRAILER WIRING, COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS, OIL CHANGE, FACTORY MAINTNANCE, ROTATE TIRES, DIESEL, ALIGNMENT, SUSPENTION REPAIR, BALLJOINTS, DIESEL PERFORMANCE, FORD, FORD CARS, AUTO REPAIR SHOP, REPAIR SHOP, POWER STROKE , POWER STROKE DIESEL, INJECTOR, FUEL SYSTEM, FUEL LEAK, FUEL SYSTEM REPAIR, CAR REPAIR, VEH REPAIR, LIFT KITS, LEVELING KITS, OIL CHANGE, LUBE, OIL FILTER, TIRE REPAIR, BATTERY, CAR BATTERY, TEST, ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, COOLING SYSTEM, COOLANT SERIVICE, COOLANT LEAK, HOSE REPAIR, RADIATOR, RADIATOR HOSE, POWER STEERING REPAIR, POWER STEERING LEAK, SHOCKS, STRUTS, ANTI THEFT, ALARM SYSTEM, WINDOW REPAIR, AXLE REPAIR, AXLE SHAFT, C/V AXLE, C/V SHAFT, AXLE BEARING, REAR AXLE REPAIR, BELTS&HOSES, ANTI FREEZE, FREEZE PLUGS, OIL LEAK, FUEL INJECTOR, FUEL INJECTION, WINDSHIELD WIPER-STEERING, HUB BEARING, DRIVE SHAFT, UNIVERSAL JOINT, TRANS LEAK, TRANSMISSION REPAIR, ENGINE REPAIR, ENGINE REPLACEMENT, SPARK PLUG, FUEL FILTER, AIR FILTER, CRUISE CONTROL, TRANSMISSION SERVICE, POWER STEERING SERVICE, COOLANT SERVICE, CHARGING SYSTEM.

  • Jasper
  • 24-Hour Dropoff
  • ASE
  • ASE Master
  • BF Goodrich
  • Bridgestone Firestone
  • Cooper Tires
  • Cummins Diesel
  • Customer Savings
  • Dunlop Tires
  • Duramax Diesel
  • Fleet Services
  • Flo Pro Performance Exhaust
  • Flowmaster
  • Goodyear
  • Ford Power Stroke Diesel
  • Hankook Tires
  • Kelly Tires
  • Magnaflow
  • Michelin
  • Mastercraft
  • Motorcraft Parts
  • NAPA AutoCare Center
  • Pet Friendly
  • Radiator
  • RV Repair
  • Sumitomo Tires
  • Tires
  • Towing
  • Toyo
  • Uniroyal
  • 24 Month Warranty