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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
"Excellent inspection done by oleg"

Pavan Sandesh
"I was Very happy to have this service. Oleg was super thorough and it saved me a fortune because he found significant problems. Thanks again Car Advisors!!!"

Ashley
"Very informative and good to know ahead of time"

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

Janice
"Fast and easy service. Honest about the vehicle, saving me time and money in the long run. "

Eric
"Oleg was prompt, very knowledgeable, and flexible. Been in the car he helped look over for about 2 years now and have only had standard maintenance. Think he did a pretty good job "

Barrett
"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
"Great fast and easy service highly recommend..he was completely honest and did great "

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

Daniel
"Car Advisors is professional, convenient, and efficient. They know their stuff and future you will thank you for working with them to prevent unforeseen car headaches. Will def be using again. "

Customer
"I was surprised at how quickly Oleg reached out to me. The inspection was scheduled the next day and I had the review that night. I am very pleased with how thorough the inspection was. I will now recommend him to everyone and will be using this again! "

Rianah
"Eduard was amazing. The inspection and report were quite thorough and I really appreciated his candor. "

Michelle
"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
"I was looking to purchase a 2016 Honda Civic from a local dealership and decided to get a pre-purchase inspection done first. I chose CarAdvisors and I'm glad I did. They found multiple issues which would've cost thousands for me to repair. I passed on the car and CarAdvisors got a loyal customer!"

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

Noah
"Great experience. Very detailed report"

Customer
"I highly recommend CarAdvisors! Oleg was very thorough. The pictures and written report were very clear and helpful. The inspection was done the day after we ordered it, and the report was ready by the end of the day. "

Pamela
"Mechanic showed up on time and conducted examination of vehicle in cold inclement weather. Posting this review 4 months later and haven't had an issue with anything that wasn't mentioned within the report. Vehicle has been a dream"

Thomas
"Fast and detailed service! Definitely would use again"

Kendra
"I just wanted to thank you for your professional service of identifying the actual problems of the car. It was nice to do business with you today! "

Nionwa
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 2023
Price $19,488
Mileage 91,610mi
Inspected Mar 24 2026
Model
Year 2011
Price $29,000
Mileage 100,613mi
Inspected Mar 24 2026
Model
Year 2024
Price $75,000
Mileage 7,227mi
Inspected Mar 25 2026
Inspected
Inspected
Inspected
FAQ
?
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.