Troubleshooter: What's covered by Used Vehicle Reconditioning?

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With chip shortages driving new vehicle inventories down and prices up, it’s no wonder that more of us are looking to the pre-owned market for our next new-to-me ride. Cutting through the hype and sales pitches can be daunting, however — especially the retailer’s process of reconditioning. So when they say their vehicles have been fully reconditioned, just what does that mean? Here’s a peak behind the scenes.

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Jurisdictions across the country require a specific vehicle examination be completed before ownership can be transferred in a used auto transaction. In Ontario this is known as a Safety Standards Certificate, and it can only be completed by a licensed technician working in an approved shop. Most dealerships and larger non-factory retailers will have these facilities on-site and operated by their own employees, while some medium and small sized used car lots will outsource this to a nearby repair shop.

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Troubleshooter: What's covered by Used Vehicle Reconditioning? Back to video

These inspections cover what consumers usually expect: safety systems, brakes, steering, exhaust, tires, passenger restraints, and the list goes on. Everything on the check list has to operate as designed, and for certain wear items there are measurable minimum limits (such as tread depths on tires). So at a minimum, this is what you can expect when you’re buying used from a licensed retailer. But it’s only a portion of a vehicle’s systems, and what it leaves out can be surprising.

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Engine operation

At one time several provinces required an emissions test to transfer ownership and some of those tests required a scan for any active or stored trouble codes. When Ontario introduced theirs, government ministers bragged about the extra level of consumer protection it would provide. But that’s gone by the wayside, and asking for a scan report that someone can decipher for you is a good idea. It’s quick enough that your retailer shouldn’t tack on any extra fee, and it can provide a valuable warning or some peace of mind.

Wheel alignment

Alignments are very seldom checked as part of a pre-sale inspection routine, primarily because of cost and specialized equipment. But if you’re checking out a pre-owned special with new tires, you won’t have any wear patterns to give you a hint if something’s wrong. Even when a vehicle’s steering specs are out by a miniscule amount, they can shorten a tire’s lifespan drastically and if your ride has 20” or larger wheels this can be a real ouch to your wallet. Ask for an alignment report and don’t be surprised if they won’t include it for free, but paying for it out of your pocket can be worth it.

HVAC and infotainment systems

A heating system in a vehicle has to work well enough to defrost the windshield, but that’s about it. It’s easy enough for an experienced driver to tell if the air-conditioning is blowing cold, providing it’s checked out on a warm day. Run all the controls on the infotainment system, even taking the time to try to pair your cell phone. These systems have been problematic in a number of carmakers’ products and replacing them, when necessary, can be a very expensive option.

Next time we’ll dig into body, paint, and trim. Keep your shopping savvy sharp.