Pre-Purchase Inspection
We inspect a used car before you hand over money.
The short answer
We meet you at the car before you buy it, go through it properly, and tell you what we find. It is the cheapest hour in car ownership and almost nobody does it.
Private sale or dealer, the seller has more information than you do. An inspection closes some of that gap. Even when the car turns out to be good, you get a list of what it will need soon — which is negotiating material.
What we go through
- Fluid condition — oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid. Coolant in oil or oil in coolant ends the conversation
- Brakes and tyres — remaining life, uneven wear that suggests alignment or suspension issues
- Suspension and steering — play, leaking struts, worn bushings
- Leaks — where from, how fast, and whether it is seepage or an actual drip
- Panel gaps, paint and overspray — signs of accident repair the listing did not mention
- Test drive — cold start behaviour, shift quality, noises under load and braking
What an inspection cannot tell you
We cannot see inside a sealed transmission or predict when a water pump will fail. An inspection reduces risk substantially; it does not eliminate it. Anyone promising certainty is overselling.
Questions we get
How long does it take?
Budget around an hour for a thorough look plus a drive. Rushing it defeats the point.
Will a seller let you inspect it?
A seller with nothing to hide will say yes. A seller who refuses has told you something useful for free.
Can you inspect at a dealership?
Often yes, if you arrange it with them beforehand. Some dealers allow it readily, others do not.
What if you find problems?
You get a list of what is wrong and roughly how serious each item is. Whether you walk away or negotiate is your call.