Many dealerships these days are talking about the 150-point inspection. This is supposed to give consumers peace of mind about the vehicles on the lot, but you may ask yourself: “What do service technicians inspect during a 150-point inspection?” Here’s what the technicians are inspecting, and keep in mind: any damaged or unacceptable parts will be replaced or removed from the vehicle.
VIN Numbers
The first thing on the list is to make sure that the VIN numbers are intact and in the right locations.
Unibody Inspection
The unibody is inspected for signs of damage or signs of prior repairs.
Mechanical Inspection Minimum Replacement Items
This section of the inspection is probably the most involved portion of the inspection. It covers all of the vehicle’s fluids, filters, wiper blades, tires, brakes, antenna, and any scheduled maintenance that the vehicle was supposed to have in the last three months or 2,500 miles.
Road Test
During this portion of the inspection, a dealership employee will drive the vehicle to make sure that it starts, idles, and drives correctly. They will test everything from the cruise control to the air conditioning.
Underhood
This is the section of the inspection that deals with the engine, battery, or really anything that is reached by opening the hood.
Under Vehicle
The under vehicle inspection is done on tires, wheels, brakes, suspension, ball joints, and axles. Technicians will also look for leaks of any kind.
Exterior
The exterior of the car is also inspected. This involves the body of the car as well as all of the exterior lights of the vehicle.
Interior
The interior lights are checked during the interior portion of the inspection. They will also inspect the carpet, seat material, buttons on the dash, and all of the interior electronics.
Appearance Inspection Points
This portion of the inspection checks to make sure that the vehicle’s inspection points are clear of dirt, debris, or any damage.
Aftermarket Parts
While checking all of these sections of a vehicle, technicians will also identify any aftermarket modifications to determine if they are unacceptable. If there are unacceptable aftermarket modifications, those parts will be removed.