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Pre-purchase used car inspection





Modern vehicles are very complex and computerized, making it difficult even for an owner to know about any upcoming or existing issues that may cost a fortune to fix. To be confident in your next car – order our inspection for in-depth, factual, and objective information about its condition. While a mechanics shop might try to exaggerate a small defect to entice you to pay them to fix it, our detailed inspection is meant only to help you buy a reliable vehicle that meets your expectations.

Get peace of mind!

How it works

Place your order by phone or through our site. Specify a meeting point and time if you've already made an appointment with a seller and want to attend the inspection.

Our specialist will arrive at the vehicle and perform the inspection. The average duration to complete – about 1 hour.

We notify you once the inspection is complete and the report is ready. Have any questions? Call us - we'll be glad to explain.
Inspection types and prices

Single inspection

$220

Includes: Specialists arrival, inspection of 1 vehicle (if you want to check multiple vehicles at the same location – a 20% discount will be applied to further inspections).

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Full day

$650

Includes: Unlimited number of inspections at different locations during the day (9am-8pm), specialists can transport you in their own vehicle if preferred.
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Serving area
Inspection procedure
Engine inspection
(general state, extend of wear). Looking for leaks, stains, and smoke. Listening to abnormal noises and vibrations. Checking condition of fluids and drive-belts.
Computer diagnosis off ALL electronic systems
(ABS, airbags, ESP, HVAC, navigation systems, etc) with comprehensive analysis of the engine and transmission work.
Examination of structural framework
(longerons, pillars, rocker panels, frame) for signs of heavy impacts or bodywork.
Test drive
(if possible) to determine condition of suspension, brakes, steering, transmission, and drivetrain.
Determination of mileage
(matching car condition to declared mileage, if possible reading out mileage data from electronic control modules).
Interior inspection
for wear, damages, dirt, odors, water leaks.
Body survey
(fenders, doors, hood, glasses, headlights, etc) focused on signs of impacts, flooding, and repainting. Pointing out scratches, dents, rust, chipping, matching paint and paint cracks.
Electric components testing
(lights, power windows, locks, sun roof, etc).
Checking the drivetrain
(driveshafts, differentials, CV-joints, low gear, differential lock mechanism, boots) for operability, wearout, backlash, noises.
Transmission testing
(manual and road tests, computer diagnosis for any kind of automatic transmission). Looking for leaks and signs of recent repairs.
1
Engine inspection
(general state, extend of wear). Looking for leaks, stains, and smoke. Listening to abnormal noises and vibrations. Checking condition of fluids and drive-belts.
2
Computer diagnosis off ALL electronic systems
(ABS, airbags, ESP, HVAC, navigation systems, etc) with comprehensive analysis of the engine and transmission work.
3
Examination of structural framework
(longerons, pillars, rocker panels, frame) for signs of heavy impacts or bodywork.
4
Test drive
(if possible) to determine condition of suspension, brakes, steering, transmission, and drivetrain.
5
Determination of mileage
(matching car condition to declared mileage, if possible reading out mileage data from electronic control modules).
6
Interior inspection
for wear, damages, dirt, odors, water leaks.
7
Body survey
(fenders, doors, hood, glasses, headlights, etc) focused on signs of impacts, flooding, and repainting. Pointing out scratches, dents, rust, chipping, matching paint and paint cracks.
8
Electric components testing
(lights, power windows, locks, sun roof, etc).
9
Checking the drivetrain
(driveshafts, differentials, CV-joints, low gear, differential lock mechanism, boots) for operability, wearout, backlash, noises.
10
Transmission testing
(manual and road tests, computer diagnosis for any kind of automatic transmission). Looking for leaks and signs of recent repairs.
Sample report 1 Sample report 2 Sample report 3
Reviews
"CarAdvisors report was so detailed and informative. It let me know about some very costly issues the car had. The pictures and descriptions were very helpful in making an informed decision about the car. "

Patricia
"Excellent review "

David
"Oleg was so amazing and professional! He kept it real and I appreciated that and put it forward towards my next search! Thank you! "

Savannah
"Extremely satisfied. Thorough inspection. Highly recommended."

Dwight
"5/5 saved me from losing a lot of money. "

Noah
"Very detailed report. Saved me a ton of trouble."

Morris
"Our technician was on time, knowledgable, and professional, and the information he provided will help us make an informed decision on purchasing the vehicle."

Daniel
"Very reliable service with mobile option. It is easy to schedule and they come to your location to provide the comprehensive inspection report. A must-service before buying a vehicle."

Aarati
"We thought we had found an awesome car. We called and scheduled an appointment for a pre-purchase inspection. The mechanic arrived on time, performed a thorough inspection, and found several faulty major issues with the car that not even the dealer had noticed. We will absolutely have this company inspect all of our cars before we buy them in the future!"

Customer
"Thank you, Oleg for your amazing review! It's obvious this car is absolutely and completely not worth the price that they're asking at the dealership at Streetside in Atlanta. The car has so many issues, that it would probably cost me thousands upon thousands to get it into reasonable shape. Such a thorough review helped me avoid buying a lemon. Thank you again for your expertise!"

John
"Oleg was very helpful and report was thorough and detailed for minivan. It gave us confidence in the buying process! "

taylor
"Thorough Review! Saved me $$$"

Jordan
"Well worth the cost. I dodged a bullet recently. Thanks!"

Jason
"My inspection was very detail oriented. Oleg answered all my questions and was very helpful. I would definitely use him again."

Andrea
"Very responsive - incredibly thorough service. We were very close to traveling a long way for a car that was indeed too good to be true. Thanks a million for your time and expertise."

stefanie
"I had a very good experience with Car Advisors. They were able to come out the same day I ordered and the report was also ready the same day. The report was thorough and informative! I did not purchase the vehicle due to the many discovered issues during inspection! $170 saved me thousands!!!"

Jessica
"The service was fast. I ordered it in the morning and the pre-inspection took place promptly. They did a pretty good job on the visible and engine inspections. The service provided many pictures that highlighted the issues. However, I believe they did not test-drive the cars, and I wasn’t informed about this. It might have been due to the car’s low fuel level, and the fact that I wasn’t present. The day after the pre-inspection, I went to test drive the car and noticed that it leaned towards the right side when driving. Additionally, the car didn’t have an emission test."

Tech Kern
"Second time using CarAdvisors. Very professional and great write up on the vehicle. Highly recommend. "

Aaron
"Great service that grants peace of mind about a used car purchase. Oleg was great."

Samuel
"Oleg is awesome! Very detailed inspection including breakdown of every item found. I ended up using his service for 3 cars. I trust his judgement and he was able to find items I did not notice myself. Highly recommend using his services."

Anthony
Diagnostic equipment
Diagnostic scanner
to check electronic systems and read its current state.
Coating thickness gauge
to find repaired and welded body parts.
Stethoscope
to find the source of abnormal engine noise.
Endoscope
to seek out leaks and damages in hard to reach places.
Advantages
Industry best comprehensive inspection with professional equipment.
Low and flat inspection fee for any type of car - classic, modern, luxury.
Get reports on the same day – on average we can get to a vehicle in only 1.5 hours.
Super detailed but easy to read report. Have a question? Call your inspector!
And of course, you may attend the inspection yourself and see our specialists at work.
Recent orders
Model
Year 2020
Price $7,000
Mileage 76,020mi
Inspected Aug 16 2026
Model
Year 2017
Price $15,000
Mileage 118,164mi
Inspected Aug 16 2026
Model
Year 2016
Price $9,500
Mileage 114,196mi
Inspected Aug 16 2026
Inspected
Inspected
Inspected
FAQ
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How qualified are your mechanics?
We are a small team of specialists with master’s degrees, a deep knowledge of car electronics, and many years experience in auto inspection. We don’t hire unknown mechanics from all over the country just to expand our presence in other states.
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What type of vehicles do you inspect?
We inspect all cars and trucks of any age and price. If a vehicle is a hybrid or is electric, we thoroughly inspect the battery and generator with a professional scan tool to make sure that these expensive parts are in working condition.
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Can you perform a computer diagnostic for an older vehicle with a non-standard diagnostic connector(not OBD2)?
Yes, we have special connectors for a wide variety of older vehicles. So even if it doesn't have a carburetor we can perform a computer diagnostic.
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What types of payments do you accept?
You may pay with card (debit or credit), from your account, or by cash or check after the inspection if you decide to see it in person.
?
Can I cancel an inspection that has already been ordered and scheduled?
Yes, you can cancel an inspection at any time without charge. However, it's preferred that you provide at least 1 hour before the scheduled inspection time.
?
Do you inspect vehicles on a lift?
It depends on the seller. If the seller has the facility to lift the vehicle (for example, if the seller is an auto dealer with a shop) then our specialist would inspect it on the lift. In most cases however, there is a necessity for a lift only if the test drive revealed issues with the drivetrain or suspension, and to determine the source of the problem and if it's ok to lift the car. Otherwise, inspection without a lift won't compromise the quality of the inspection itself.