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Vehicle inspections

A careful look before it costs you.

Buying a used car, planning a long drive or just want to know where things stand? We look it over top to bottom, test drive it and give you a clear report: what’s good, what to watch and what needs attention.

Book an inspection (555) 555-0123
Pre-purchase Written report Road-trip & seasonal

When to book

The best time to inspect is before you need to.

An inspection usually costs far less than the surprise it helps you avoid. These are the moments when it pays off most.

Buying from a private seller? Private sales are usually as-is, so once you pay, the problems are yours. Get the inspection first, then negotiate or walk away with confidence.

  • You’re about to buy a used car, truck or SUV
  • There are no service records, or the price seems too good to be true
  • A long road trip, a move or a summer of towing is coming up
  • Winter or summer is on the way and it hasn’t been checked in a while
  • You just bought a car and don’t know much about its history
  • A new leak, noise or warning light showed up right before a big trip
  • Your mower, generator or snow blower is about to go back to work

What we do

An inspection for every milestone.

Pre-purchase inspection

Engine, transmission, leaks, frame and rust, brakes, tires, suspension, codes and a test drive, before you hand over the money.

Road-trip check

Tires, brakes, fluids, belts, hoses, battery, lights and wipers, checked before the long miles.

Seasonal checks

Winter: battery, antifreeze, tires, wipers and heat. Summer: cooling system, A/C, belts and tire pressure.

New-to-you baseline

Just bought it? We note its condition and what maintenance is due, so you start with a clear record.

Pre-sale inspection

Selling? See what a buyer’s mechanic will find, fix the small stuff and price it fairly.

Small engine pre-season

Mowers, generators and snow blowers: spark, fuel, oil, filters, blades and belts, plus a test run.

Pre-purchase inspections

Buying used? Know before you pay.

A used car can drive fine around the block and still hide expensive problems. We check the things that matter most, then explain them in plain English.

What we check

  • Engine: how it starts, idles and runs
  • Transmission: shifting and fluid
  • Leaks: oil, coolant and other fluids
  • Frame & rust: underbody and signs of past damage
  • Brakes: pads, rotors, lines and fluid
  • Tires: tread depth, wear and age
  • Suspension: shocks, joints and steering
  • Codes: a scan for stored trouble codes
  • Test drive: how it tracks, shifts and stops

The seller can bring it in. Ask them to drop the car off, or bring it by yourself with their OK. We’ll go over the results with you, the buyer.

Sample report Example: compact SUV, 88,400 mi

Pre-purchase inspection

6 good2 watch1 needs attention

  • EngineStarts easily, smooth idle, no smokeGood
  • TransmissionShifts cleanly, fluid looks healthyGood
  • LeaksLight oil seep at the valve coverWatch
  • Frame & underbodySurface rust only, no signs of damageGood
  • BrakesRear pads near minimum thicknessAttention
  • TiresEven wear, plenty of tread leftGood
  • Suspension & steeringFront sway bar links starting to wearWatch
  • Codes & electricalNo stored codes, all lights workingGood
  • Test driveTracks straight, brakes evenlyGood

Illustrative example only. Your report reflects your vehicle and what we find on the day.

Our inspection process

From test drive to written report.

  1. Tell us the goal

    Buying, road-tripping or just curious? We focus on what matters for your plans.

  2. Test drive

    We drive it the way you will, listening and feeling for anything out of place.

  3. Lift, look & scan

    Up on the lift for leaks, rust, brakes, tires and suspension, plus a code scan.

  4. Report & walk-through

    You get a clear report and our honest take, with estimates if you want them.

Inspection FAQ

Inspection questions, answered.

Have a car in mind? Call us with the year, make and model and we’ll talk you through what the inspection covers.

Good to know: an inspection is a snapshot of the vehicle on the day we see it. It can’t predict every future repair, but it takes most of the guesswork out of buying or traveling.

Why should I get a pre-purchase inspection?

A used car can look clean and drive fine around the block while hiding leaks, worn parts, rust or stored trouble codes. An independent inspection shows you what you’re buying, gives you facts to negotiate with and helps you walk away from a money pit.

How long does an inspection take?

It depends on the vehicle and the type of inspection. A road-trip or seasonal check is usually quicker than a full pre-purchase inspection, which includes a test drive and time on the lift. We’ll give you a time estimate when you book.

Do I need the seller’s permission to have a car inspected?

Yes. The seller has to agree to let the car come to our shop, and either they bring it in or you do with their OK. Most honest sellers welcome an independent inspection. If a seller refuses, that tells you something too.

What do I get when the inspection is done?

A written report that sorts what we found into good, watch and needs attention, plus a walk-through of the results in plain English. If something needs repair, we can give you an estimate so you know the real cost before you decide.

Can you inspect a car I’m selling?

Yes. A pre-sale inspection shows you what a buyer’s mechanic is likely to find. You can fix small issues, price the car fairly and share the report with buyers.

All services

Diagnostics

Warning lights and stored codes, traced to the source.

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Oil & Maintenance

Start a new-to-you car on a fresh maintenance schedule.

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Tires & Alignment

Worn or uneven tires? Get them road-trip ready.

Learn more

Ready when you are

Let’s get you back on the road.

Request an appointment in about a minute, or give us a call. We’ll confirm a time and take it from there.

Book a service (555) 555-0123

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