EXPERT REPORT

EXPERT REPORT

The word "expertise" literally means 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 industry.

In the automotive industry, an expert appraisal is defined as the examination and evaluation process carried out before a vehicle purchase or sale transaction to determine its monetary value or to identify any damages incurred during insurance claims. In short, an expert appraisal report is a document that determines the value assigned to a vehicle after these examinations. Several criteria are considered when creating an expert appraisal report in the automotive sector. Factors considered in the case of a used vehicle include the vehicle's age, past accidents and the monetary value of the resulting damages (i.e., the vehicle's history), and the condition of the engine components. These elements constitute the subject of the expert appraisal report. In particular, damages and malfunctions that are not visible to the naked eye are revealed through the expert appraisal report.

Legally, until 2019, vehicle inspection reports were not mandatory in the automotive sector. However, since 2019, vehicle inspection reports have become mandatory for transactions such as the buying and selling of used vehicles. According to the latest legal changes, obtaining a vehicle inspection report is now mandatory if the vehicle is less than eight years old and has less than 160,000 kilometers on the odometer.

The purpose of expert appraisal reports in the automotive sector is to prevent and mitigate potential grievances for both the buyer and seller after a vehicle purchase transaction.

POINTS TO CONSIDER IN THE EXPERT APPRAISAL REPORT

Vehicle inspection reports provide detailed information about the current condition of the vehicle.

VEHICLE PAINT INSPECTION

The first step in a vehicle inspection report is examining the bodywork. During the paint check, a sample is taken from the vehicle's factory condition for evaluation.

VEHICLE MECHANICAL AND ENGINE CHECKS

The vehicle's engine is inspected to ensure it functions correctly. Systems such as the instrument panel, ABS, and fuel injection are checked.

LATERAL SLIP TEST

Because the vehicle is used, its condition is determined by observing how much it swerves 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 consumes while driving and how much of that power is transmitted to the wheels. In addition, the test also considers factors such as torque, transmission range, engine and wheel power, engine condition, and radiator oil level. In short, this test examines whether there is any power loss in a vehicle that might be related to it being a used car.

SUSPENSION TEST

A suspension test is a type of test that determines a vehicle's road handling while it is in motion. This test is performed on winding and potholed roads. The stages of a suspension test are as follows:

1 – The first step is to assess the minimum traction force of the wheels while the vehicle is in motion.

2 – Secondly, the frequency of the lowest level of road grip produced by the vehicle's wheels while in motion is measured.

3 – Next, the weight of each wheel is measured individually.

4 – And finally, the weight of the car is measured, thus completing the process of evaluating the test.

BRAKE TEST

This test checks both the front and rear brakes of the vehicle.

DIAGNOSTIC TEST

A diagnostic test is a test performed using a device called a diagnostic tool. This device identifies all makes and models of vehicles, so when the make and model of a vehicle are entered into the device, it determines whether the vehicle's electronic components—that is, all the necessary technical materials and equipment for the vehicle to function on the power it receives—are present. This test also identifies all fault codes in the vehicle.

BATTERY TEST

This test assesses the battery's lifespan, charge level, and margin value, taking into account factors such as battery life.

After all these reports are prepared, a preliminary approval review is required for the resulting expert report. Following this process, the expert report must be submitted to the relevant institution or organization within four to seven days of the final expert review.

In addition to these test results, the report also includes the current price of the vehicle.

Finally, the vehicle inspection reports required for the purchase and sale of used vehicles are prepared at centers designated according to the criteria set by the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE).

TAYYIP TASKAN