wheel My order
Home / Pre-purchase car inspection


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).

Place an order

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.
Place an order

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
"Couldn't have been more pleased with this company! I was looking to purchase a car in the Atlanta area and,since I was several hours away and purchasing an expensive used BMW ,I wanted an expert to look at it. Doing some research online,I came across caradvisors who were highly recommended. Well everyone was right, the whole process was so seamless...from booking the inspection on their website to them scheduling an appointment with the seller and submitting a very thorough report, I knew exactly what I was getting and all of that within a day! The seller was skeptical about the issues found in the report and decided to take the car to the BMW dealership who confirmed exactly what was found in the report. The seller was able to have these issues taken care of, saving me hundreds of $$$ and now this baby is mine!. 5/5 stars!"

Gabriel
"Great inspection. Protected me from making a bad decision."

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

Phillip
"Oleg is fantastic! He is clearly an expert and I am so grateful to have his advice to avoid making bad decisions and to help me make the right ones. He is also kind and professional."

Joshua
"Excellent service."

Lawrence
"Oleg performed an extremely thorough inspection of my car during it's 7 day test drive period. He was able to diagnose an issue with the transmission that I had observed but could not tell if it was normal or abnormal for the vehicle's transmission. He was able to show the readings that confirmed the issue at hand clearly and I ended up returning the vehicle."

Ryan
"We were very happy with the inspection done by CarAdvisors. The process was easy and the report was very thorough. When we had questions about specific items that came up on the inspection, details and explanations were also very helpful and given without hesitation. We were also working on a tight timeline and he was very accommodating and responsive. Any time I need to buy a used car in the future, I plan on using CarAdvisors."

Steven
"Called Oleg for an inspection and he came same day! Very responsive and courteous, and does an excellent job. Very thorough, gave good advice during the inspection, and provides a very thorough report. So helpful in making the decision whether or not to buy the car. Also, the report is very useful even after the purchase, because it details some things that you will need to be aware of in the future. Well worth the price!"

Customer
"VERY THOROUGH! found multiple issues w/ the vehicle.sooo glad I decided to get an inspection w/ this company.Thank yall!"

amelia
"I had an awesome experience. Will refer to all of my friends and family. Great information."

Tayari
"Really awesome service. Super thorough inspection for a really good price. I was going to buy an old Ford Truck but saw that too much of the equipment was broken, interior was banged up, and there were some mechanical issues (leaks) that I didn't think were worth the buy. I would definitely recommend. "

Chasen
"Detailed report"

Vandora
"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
"Amazing service! Easy to make an appointment. Was able to get an appointment same day or next day. Booked online but customer service is readily available to answer questions. Booked an appointment to be onsite with the mechanic/ inspector but was not able to make it in time. My absence did not cause any delays. The vehicle was inspected with a through report and photos. Every aspect of the vehicle was covered. Definitely worth the money knowing exactly what I’m getting with a used car! Thank you so much for a quick and easy experience! And a special thanks to Mr. Karelov for answering all my questions, inspecting the car with such detail and providing a report so quickly!"

Dionna
"I cannot recommend this service enough. I heard about this service through a friend, and contacted Oleg literally the day of when I was at a dealership. Within an hour, Oleg was on-site and performed a very thorough inspection and had a 12 page, detailed report to me in about 2-3 hours. A must have if buying a used car for peace of mind, and I highly recommend Oleg if you are purchasing long distance and unable to test drive, etc. The report includes detailed comments and photos of any potential issue identified. Lastly - the price is beyond reasonable and I guarantee you the inspection will pay for itself when negotiating the price of the car. Thank you, Oleg!"

Brian
"The inspection was done on time and was very thorough. It allowed us to negotiate a couple of repairs into the purchase that would have otherwise cost money right after the purchase. "

Jeff
"Oleg was prompt, communicated well, and did a amazingly complete inspection. I was very, very impressed and will used CarAdvisors again."

Gary
"Prompt and thorough! Thanks Oleg."

Mar
"This was an amazing service to use. I was advised by the company through a family member and I'm glad i used it because the car i was going to purchase was not in the greatest conditions and Oleg was the one who ran an efficient report and I was able to not get myself turned upside down with this vehicle."

Customer
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 2022
Price $39,557
Mileage 44,239mi
Inspected Jun 25 2025
Model
Year 2017
Price $18,775
Mileage 101,524mi
Inspected Jun 25 2025
Model
Year 2008
Price
Mileage 169,436mi
Inspected Jun 25 2025
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.