Pre-Purchase Vehicle Inspection
An independent look at a used car before you sign anything.
A used car can look clean and drive fine on a short test drive while hiding expensive problems. An independent inspection gives you information the seller may not have, or may not volunteer, before you commit.
- Underbody inspection for rust
- Checking brakes
- Scanning for stored and pending trouble codes
- Checking fluids
Common symptoms
- You are buying a used car from a private seller or lot
- The vehicle history report leaves questions
- The car has unusually low or high mileage for its age
- You noticed a warning light, leak, or noise on the test drive
- You want a second opinion before a large purchase
We put the vehicle on the lift and look at what matters most for a Michigan car: rust on the frame, subframe, brake lines, and rocker panels, plus leaks, worn suspension parts, brake and tire condition, and stored trouble codes. We also road-test it and note anything that seems off.
You get a summary of what we found, which items look urgent, and which are normal wear for the age and mileage. The cost of the inspection is quoted upfront when you request the appointment. It is your decision what to do with the information.
Every appointment is confirmed with a $100 booking/diagnostic payment (not credited toward the service). The work itself is quoted and done only after you approve an itemized estimate.
Repair labor is $100 per hour for every kind of repair — engine, transmission, electrical, heating and air conditioning, suspension, brakes and everything else. No higher specialty rate and no minimum labor charge. Labor hours are estimated for your specific vehicle and repair and shown on your written estimate before any work starts; we don’t sell flat-rate job prices.
Pre-purchase inspection report
The vehicle as you see it, then the areas an inspection reports on, including items that need attention. An inspection reports condition; it does not include repairs.
Signs you may need this
- You are buying a used car from a private seller or lot
- The vehicle history report leaves questions
- The car has unusually low or high mileage for its age
- You noticed a warning light, leak, or noise on the test drive
- You want a second opinion before a large purchase
What the service may involve
- Underbody inspection for rust, leaks, and damage
- Checking brakes, tires, suspension, and steering
- Scanning for stored and pending trouble codes
- Checking fluids, belts, hoses, and visible engine condition
- A road test to evaluate drivability, shifting, and braking
- A summary of findings to help your decision
Information to have ready
- Year, make, model, and VIN if available
- Whether the seller will bring the car or you will
- Seller contact or availability, so we can coordinate timing
- Any concerns from the listing or your test drive
Questions
How much does a pre-purchase inspection cost?
We quote the inspection upfront when you request the appointment, so you know the cost before the car arrives. There are no surprise add-ons; any further testing is discussed with you first.
Does the seller have to agree?
Yes, since the car needs to come to our shop. Most honest sellers are willing. A seller who refuses an independent inspection is worth thinking about.
Can you tell me if the car is worth the asking price?
We focus on the vehicle’s mechanical condition, not its market value. Our findings can help you negotiate or decide, but pricing the car is up to you.
How do I schedule around the seller?
Book a time that works for the seller, and the appointment is confirmed when the $100 booking/diagnostic payment is completed. If the sale falls through you can cancel or reschedule online until 1 hour before; the booking payment is not refunded on cancellation.
