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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 offers an invaluable service. I am an out of state buyer without the ability to inspect the car myself. The detailed report with great photos is better information than if I were to inspect the vehicle myself. This is good piece of mind for such a large purchase. This process is streamlined and CarAdvisors handles scheduling the inspection with the seller for you. You don't have to play middleman. Just sit back and wait for your report. This is a no-risk, all reward service. Thank you Oleg!"

Phillip
"The mechanic did a thorough search and saved me from spending thousands of dollars on a lemon"

Daniel
"Thorough and concise"

Vandora
"Having the PPI from CarAdvisors helped me feel very confident in my purchase. The report detailed issues that were eventually addressed and helped me have a smooth purchase. Great work."

Maurice
"I'm so glad I used CarAdvisors. I wanted to buy a Hyundai Veloster and was going to pay asking price because I really liked it and the dealer wasn't willing to work with me, but for the money I was going to spend I wanted to make sure I wasn't making a big mistake. I left the dealership and called CarAdvisors and they were at the dealership in 3 hours. I went home and waited for the report and I'm so thankful I did. The car had mechanical issues and had some major problems about happen not far down the road. The report was extremely thorough and covered the entire car from current problems to guaranteed problems in the near future and included pictures. This service is worth every penny and I will never buy a car without them again. I'm actually using them again next week for an all day multly car inspection day. I highly recommend their services. "

Leanne
"As always, I will never again buy a used car with out a Car Advisors inspection."

Samuel
"The inspector arrived on time, did a very thorough inspection and road test. The report may have saved me from fraud. Worth the money!"

TERRANCE
"update after 10 months of buying the inspected vehicle, amazing attention to detail and accurate, very trustableI ended up buying the car and love is so far."

Mohammad Iman
"Great report. Oleg was extremely thorough and gave us all the information needed to feel confident about the condition of the vehicle."

Clarke
"Edward is very thorough and has saved us a lot of money. Thank you!"

Janice
"Reliable service and expert advise always saves me from bad purchases."

Jon
"Everything went to plan. Needed inspection after online car order. Tech was professional and did a great job!"

Phillip
"Thank you so much Oleg for your inspection. Saved me from buying a car with possible big issue in future. Your observations were crisp and inferences were to the point."

Bhavesh
"Thank you!"

EDWARD
"I needed a reliable car for my daughter and I went online to find a mobile mechanic for peace of mind. Car advisors were so easy to work with. The report came back quickly listing exactly what we would need to consider repairing in the near future. This service is invaluable when negotiating a purchase price!"

Leah
"Oleg was very thorough with the inspection. He saved me a lot of money by not purchasing this vehicle with engine issues. Will do business with Car Advisors again!"

Aja
"Oleg was great! He was very thorough in inspecting the vehicle and uncovered a few issues that I definitely would not have caught on my own!"

Connor
"The service was excellent. i could not believe how thorough the inspector was. He covered everything, and so many thing that I would never have checked, He saved me a lot of time and money with his findings"

Tyrone
"Oleg Karelov provided me with an excellent report. It detailed all of the components of the vehicle quite nicely and in a clean manner. Meaning it was well organized with photos and information to explain everything. I was not able to be present and reading the report and speaking with Oleg was just great. Though it really breaks my heart the vehicle had issues that made me change my mind about the purchase (this is my individual decision based on many things and in no way did the report attempt to make the decision for me) it still provided me with an amazing relief. I have a decent amount of mechanical knowledge related to automobiles, probably not comparable to Oleg, but was almost giddy with the technical aspects. I would say delighted. It is a bummer I'm in TN and he works out of Atlanta. I'd love to have an inspector like him for other vehicles. I'm hoping Car Advisors has a branch here in the Knoxville area though at least. As homeowner I get the pleasure (sarcasm) of having lots of fun (sarcasm) inspections done and have crude reports, lack of information, some stuff just plain crap. So I'll sum this up by saying awesome company, and Oleg doesn't know it but he is awesome. His patience during our conversation was great. I really liked how he presented himself, the professionalism, and very clear knowledge. The man is a saint. Company is great. Thank you all! If the company is in my home area I will not shut up about recommending y'all. Take car."

Matthew
"Thank you once again. We are hoping with Mr. Olega this will be the week. Stick with him will make sure you won't get a lemon."

EDWARD
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 2015
Price $12,950
Mileage 84,191mi
Inspected Jan 17 2026
Model
Year 2023
Price
Mileage 21,868mi
Inspected Jan 16 2026
Model
Year 2019
Price $22,000
Mileage 102,000mi
Inspected Jan 17 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.
?
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.
?
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.
?
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.