What is a multipoint check and why do you need it?

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kingr
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What is a multipoint check and why do you need it?

Post by kingr »

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We’ve all been slipped a glossy flyer that offers a fifty million-point service for R1.99, haven’t we? Those pamphlets normally advertise service offers, where a yard will service your car and include an impossible multipoint list of covered items, all for a song. Jokes aside, a legitimate multipoint car check isn’t a service procedure or, rather, shouldn’t be confused with one. You’ll need a multipoint check on any used car for two main reasons. Firstly, the bank or financing house might mandate it as a part of a finance deal. Secondly, you’ll want a multipoint check for your own peace of mind when buying a secondhand car, before you hand over the cash.

Importantly, many South Africans assume that a multipoint “check” is done when their cars are serviced. This is not the case and, depending on where you service your car, there’s no implication of anything close to a multipoint check when your car is in the workshop for routine maintenance. Toyota yards typically do a pretty thorough mechanical check during a service anyway, as do many other reputable automakers, but don’t confuse a multipoint service with a multipoint check. Note that only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) dealerships, Dekra, Bosch Service or any company stipulated by the bank in a finance deal can perform a multipoint check. The bank will want a roadworthy too, but they are not the same thing.

Why do you need a multipoint check?
Multipoint car checks are typically associated with a sale, or registration and insurance requirements. And while we all assume that “they look at everything,” it’s important to know what you’re entitled to when submitting your car for a multipoint check. Inspectors should indeed look at everything, but you can avoid suffering a superficial multipoint check by knowing what should be covered by any decent, standardised multipoint check in South Africa.

Looking at a brand like MasterCars, their multipoint check sheet covers over 80 points of inspection on any car submitted. Similarly, other great brands follow as detailed a multipoint check and really do look at everything. But what if you’re not sure where your checking service fits into the pile, or whether what you’re being offered compares in terms of reassurance and cost?

What a multipoint check doesn’t check!
A multipoint check should be treated as a snapshot of the state of a car, it’s by no means a guarantee that a used car is free of any issues. Many dealerships also delegate this task to apprentices, who might miss certain issues a car could have, due to lack of experience.

Listed below are items that are not checked by most multipoint inspection check
  • Past accident damage and bodywork repairs
  • Wheel alignment
  • Hidden issues with components - a turbo that’s on its way to popping might not show any signs of wear during the multipoint check
  • ECU tampering - the ECU software on the car could have been upgraded at some point in the past
  • High speed issues - the car might have issues that are only present at high speeds, for example the cruise control might not function correctly, or excessive wind noise could be coming from a door
  • Missing panels to the interior and under the bonnet
  • All standard equipment from the factory is present. Tthis could include the spare wheel, jack, run-flat repair kit and a first aid kit.

Any decent multipoint car check should touch on the following:
  • The engine, including checking for oil leaks, the engine’s compression, that it’s mountings are correct and still good, as well as running diagnostics on the engine.
  • The clutch, where they’ll look for hydraulic leaks, correct functioning and an absence of noise from the release bearing and flywheel. An automatic also needs the clutch assembly inspected, for the record, even though there’s no clutch pedal or normal driver implications.
  • The transmission or gearbox, also looking at its mountings to ensure they’re sound, physically going through the motions of changing gears to check for noises or stickiness, as well as making sure there are no oil leaks or other problematic indicators.
  • On the undercarriage, a thorough multipoint check will check your differential, noting especially if there’s any “kickback,” noise or oil leaking from the area. Coupled with this is an overall and itemised inspection of the drive train - essentially the components that connect the transmission to the drive axles - and you can ask about drive flanges, CV joints and CV joint boots in this category too. Everything here needs to be sound and free of oil leaks or dangerous DIY repairs. Welding a drive shaft, for example, is not only dangerous, it’s illegal, and a decent multipoint check needs to give your entire undercarriage and drive train a clean bill of health.
  • It’s often under the term “suspension” that motorists quibble loudest about needed repairs, as we all know that the suspension just sits there and supports the car, right? Well, it’s not quite that simple and, most especially if you have a bit of regular dirt road driving to do, you need to know that a car’s suspension takes an absolute hammering over time.
  • A good multipoint check would ensure the front struts are within acceptable parameters without excessive play or noise. Wheel bearings too should not be noisy. The shock absorbers should be confirmed to be functioning within defined performance margins and also be free of leaks. All suspension mountings, pinch-bolts, ball joints and also tie rod ends need to be correctly fitted and present without excessive play.
  • A thorough multipoint check pays attention to the steering wheel and the car’s wheels. The steering rack should be free of oil leaks and if applicable on the power-steering pump. The power-steering assembly should be sound and all hydraulic hoses clean, without even slight seepage or more visible leaks. Inspectors will also check broad alignment and that the steering is centered. You might well need to realign your car after an inspection indicates the need. They will also look at the wheels for all fasteners present and applied to the manufacturer’s torque specifications, that hubs are correctly fitted and whether or not there are bald spots or dangerous potential tears looming on the tyres. A thorough multipoint check will also list each individual tyre’s tread depth on the inspection sheet.
  • They’ll check the engine’s cooling system - including the radiator cap - and take a pressure reading for the overall system. Pipes should be sound, securely fastened and the coolant should be correctly mixed.
  • Inspectors look at the car’s instruments - all lights, the heater, fan, aircon, and any other electrical component - to ensure your instrumentation and overall electrics are sound.
  • At some point a broad inspection is also performed to ensure that the windshield and side glass panels are all free of cracks or chips, and that wipers function correctly with the spray nozzles correctly aligned. The multipoint check should include a battery voltage reading, a check on all fluid levels. Any specialised locknut or other needed tools will be recorded as present or absent during the inspection (this area is often neglected).
    A truly detailed check will also confirm that all of the car’s panels are securely and correctly fitted and aligned.
  • Finally, after all of that, the inspector will drive your car at least 5km on a test drive to satisfy themselves that all is good and proper in operation, and look for that signature on the inspection form once done!

Never forget that any multipoint check deals with common items on any car. In other words, going into detail with a very diligent check is not simply a sexy version for luxury sedans, allowing lesser vehicles to get away with far less inspection, and don’t be told otherwise.

A thorough multipoint check applies equally to any car. Remember also that no parts are removed in a multipoint check so, beyond a certain point, a nagging rattle somewhere may have to be resolved by a mechanic, as during a multipoint check issues are determined, not resolved.

Make no mistake, every car needs a genuine multipoint check when it needs it. It’s not one of those things where more expensive cars need it more. Insist that you view any multipoint check sheet before allowing the check to go ahead, and compare it broadly with what we’ve listed above. Those entities that perform multipoint checks in South Africa all broadly conform to a high standard, but you can know what you’re entitled to and, if you’re going to pay justifiable money to keep you and yours safe on the road, make the exercise count.
Kurt #3337

Current:
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