Self Service Car Wash - Turn on the pumps or no deal?

[Steve Cheslock]

I'm doing some prelim due diligence on a property that has a self service car wash on it. It has 4 washing bays and two vacuum station bays but the current owner closed the business 6 years ago.  I spoke with the equipment/chemicals supplier and they said there is no way to tell how much rehab I'm looking at until I turn on and run the bays.  

1. If we go under contract is it reasonable for me to ask the previous owner to turn everything back on?  (I guess I can always ask and he can say no)

2.  I'll just be honest and ask a pretty elementary question, what steps would need to be taken to run the bays?  Is is as simple as making sure the water is connected then turning on the machines. 

If I can't see the machines work I'm going to assume everything needs to be replaced and this will be reflected in my offer.  If I can then I'll make sure one of the machine technicians is down there so I can get a professional heads up.  

Any thoughts?