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Owners waiting for their imported vehicles go through many emotions as their vehicle’s delivery date approaches: joy, anticipation, anxiety, dread. The first two are positive emotions, the feeling an owner gets upon the arrival of the car; the second are negative, usually felt upon seeing that the car went through some delivery mishaps and may need to be re-inspected and repaired. Here are some things you should know about import car repair, especially if it really has to be done. Common Problems It’s somewhat disconcerting to know that upon leaving the dealer’s lot, a “new” car is already considered used, and immediately depreciates in value. This is part of the reason why consumers prefer buying pre-owned cars from other countries, such as Japan. One of the downsides, of course, is that these used-car owners may have to take their newly-imported cars to the mechanic themselves, even if the cars have undergone a pre-shipment inspection. One can never be too sure, anyway. The older the car is, the more important it is to have it checked for the common problems it may have incurred as it ages. These usually have something to do with the air conditioning, brake wear, wind noise, suspension, cracked parts, fluid leaks, worn materials, and the need for replacement parts. An import car may also need to have its tires changed to better suit the road conditions and climate in your country. What to Check After receiving your car, it would be good to do a more thorough check of its mechanics before taking it for some import car repair. Check the coolant water, engine and transmission oils, belt tension, and battery charge. If all seems ok, prep it for a short spin around the block. Turn the key to first position without actually triggering the ignition or starting the engine. All warning lights should turn on. Then, turn the key to start the engine. All warning lights should turn off. If any red light stays on, it means you really should have your vehicle checked. Let the engine run for around ten minutes, and take note of the temperature gauge and cooling system if these are working properly. When the engine has warmed up you can take the car for a short drive, paying attention to its mechanics. The car has a limited amount of fuel because of shipping regulations, so you might want to refuel. Leave it to the Mechanic The “real” import car repair work is done by auto repair shops and professional mechanics with the proper equipment. First they check the engine and transmission system and everything connected to it, including the cooling system. Then they try out the steering, brake, and electrical systems. Some components may not have been used for quite some time such as wipers; the mechs can also check and fix them. The mechanics also do a cosmetic check for any dents and scratches you may want to fix, and also clean the interiors while checking the functionality of the interior controls. Having your import car repaired by a seasoned mechanic is a good idea to make sure runs smoothly and problem-free in its new home. Don’t forget to check your oil levels!
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