What Does a Certified Auto Appraiser Do?

Buying, selling, or inheriting a used vehicle typically involves wanting to know more about the car or truck. That’s where the work of a certified auto appraiser comes into the picture. With the aid of this professional, it’s a lot easier to understand what the vehicle has to offer and what sort of drawbacks may be associated with the deal. Here are a few examples of how the appraiser sets about providing support to his or her clients.

Evaluate the Condition of Vehicles Prior to Sale

Perhaps you are considering the purchase of a pre-owned car or truck. Before making any type of offer for the vehicle, it makes sense to have it appraised. Doing so will help you determine if the vehicle is worth the asking price and if the car or truck will need significant repairs during that first year of ownership.

Appraisers don’t just work with potential buyers. They are also happy to conduct appraisals for those who are planning on placing vehicles on the market. In fact, this proactive approach makes it all the easier to come up with pricing and to have the appraisal on file so that prospective buyers can see it.

Inspect Vehicles That Have a History of Damage

One of the things that appraisers look for is signs of past damage. The point is usually to determine the extent of the damage and if the repairs were sufficient to restore the vehicle. This is important information that buyers often want since most don’t want to spend good money on something that may be less than reliable or sound.

Appraisers can look for signs that indicate a frame is still a little bent or the vehicle was submerged during a flood. Thanks to the amount of detail work that goes into the process, the appraisal can prevent the buyer from making a serious mistake.

Prepare Detailed Reports About the Appraisal Results

Most auto appraisals are not simple one-page outlines. They delve deeply into the specifics of the vehicle and the condition of each major system. Some may find the final report to be somewhat daunting simply because it is so detailed. Even so, appraisers know how to prepare the reports so that it’s easy to search for and find specific information on any system or feature associated with the vehicle.

Presenting the Results to Insurance Companies and Courts

Along with buyers or sellers, who else might need to draw on the expertise of an appraiser? It’s not unusual for insurance companies to arrange for appraisals after a client is involved in some sort of traffic accident. The goal is to determine if the vehicle can be repaired for a reasonable sum or if the repairs would cost more than the vehicle is worth.

In the case of settling an estate, an appraiser may be called upon to evaluate the condition and market value of a vehicle. This is most likely to happen when the executor is attempting to sell off assets as part of the settlement process. That report from the appraiser may also come in handy if someone is contesting the will and the court wants more information about the value of different assets.

A properly certified appraiser provides valuable service and support in a number of situations. If you need to know more about the condition of a vehicle for any reason, seeking out this type of professional is worth the time and effort. It won’t be long before you have the answers that you’re looking to find.