EXPERT REPORT
EXPERT REPORT
The term "expertise" refers to an examination conducted by an expert.
Appraisal reports generally fall under three main categories: real estate, automotive, and insurance. They can also be found in many other sectors. However, in this article, we will focus on the role of appraisal reports in the automotive sector.
In the automotive industry, an inspection refers to the examination and evaluation conducted prior to the purchase or sale of a vehicle to determine its financial value or to identify damage for insurance purposes. In short, an inspection report is a document that determines the value assigned to the vehicle based on the results of these examinations. Certain criteria are taken into account when preparing an inspection report in the automotive industry. Factors to consider in transactions involving used vehicles include the vehicle’s age, any accidents it has been involved in, and the financial value of the resulting damage—that is, the vehicle’s history—as well as the condition of the engine and its components. These elements form the subject matter of the vehicle’s expert appraisal report. In particular, hidden damage and defects in the vehicle are revealed through the expert appraisal report.
Legally, vehicle inspection reports were not required in the automotive sector until 2019. However, starting in 2019, vehicle inspection reports have become mandatory for transactions such as the buying and selling of used vehicles. Recent legal changes have established that a vehicle inspection report must be obtained if the vehicle is less than eight years old and has fewer than 160,000 kilometers on the odometer.
The purpose of an expert inspection report in the automotive industry is to prevent potential disputes between the buyer and seller following a vehicle transaction and to ensure that such disputes do not arise.
POINTS TO CONSIDER IN THE APPRAISAL REPORT
A vehicle inspection report provides detailed information about the vehicle's current condition.
VEHICLE PAINT INSPECTION
The first step in the vehicle inspection report is to examine the vehicle’s bodywork. When inspecting the paintwork, an assessment is made by comparing it to the vehicle’s original factory finish.
MECHANICAL AND ENGINE INSPECTIONS OF THE VEHICLE
An inspection is conducted to examine how the vehicle's engine operates. Systems such as the vehicle's instrument panel, ABS, and fuel injection system are checked.
LATERAL SHIFT TEST
Since the vehicle is used, this is determined by observing how much it drifts to the right and left over a one-kilometer stretch of road.
DYNO TEST
A dynamometer test—or "DYNO" test for short—measures how much power a vehicle's engine produces while driving and determines how much of that power is actually transferred to the wheels. In addition to these factors, the test also evaluates the vehicle’s torque value, transmission range, engine and wheel power, the condition of the engine, and the oil level in the radiator. In short, this test checks whether there is any power loss resulting from the vehicle being used.
SUSPENSION TEST
A suspension test is a type of test that evaluates a vehicle’s road handling while it is in motion. This test is conducted on winding and bumpy roads. The steps of the suspension test are as follows:
1 – The first step is to assess the minimum traction forces of the vehicle’s wheels while it is in motion.
2 – Second, the road grip frequencies produced by the vehicle’s wheels at their lowest level while the vehicle is in motion are measured.
3 – Next, the weight of each wheel is measured.
4 – Finally, the test is evaluated by measuring the vehicle’s weight.
BRAKE TEST
This test checks the vehicle's front and rear brakes.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
A diagnostic test is a test performed using a device called a diagnostic scanner. This device contains information on all vehicle makes and models; therefore, when the vehicle’s make and model are entered into the device, it determines whether the vehicle’s electronic systems—that is, all the technical components and equipment necessary for the vehicle to operate—are present. This test also identifies all fault codes stored in the vehicle’s system.
BATTERY TEST
As part of this test, an assessment is made by taking into account factors such as the battery’s lifespan, charge level, and reserve capacity.
Once all these reports have been prepared, a preliminary review of the resulting appraisal report must be conducted. After this step is completed, the appraisal report must be submitted to the relevant agency or organization within four to seven days during the subsequent expert review.
The report also includes the vehicle's current price, in addition to the results of these tests.
Finally, the vehicle inspection reports required for the sale and purchase of used vehicles are prepared at centers designated in accordance with the criteria established by the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE).
TAYYİP TAŞKAN