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Pre-purchase used car inspection





It’s hard to overestimate the importance of a pre-purchase inspection. The risk of buying the wrong car is not just unexpected expensive repairs but compromised safety as well. Non-functional SRS airbag systems, loose bolts in suspension components, rotten frames, and leaking exhaust systems – that’s just a glimpse of what we see every day. To be confident in your next car, order our best-in-class pre-purchase inspection.

Now in Dallas, Texas!

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-7pm), 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
"Great inspection and very detailed. Pictures was great and showed the hail damaged on the car "

ELROY
"Used CarAdvisors for a 2nd time and it worked out great. On time and very professional. "

ANTHONY
"1st time using this service and saved me alot of headache in purchasing a lemon i have shared this company to many of my friends "

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

Morris
"Great mechanic!"

Paul
"CarAdvisors did a great job of inspecting the Grand Marquis. The information presented was very clear and the pictures clearly showed the issues. I highly recommend using CarAdvisors."

Thomas
"Wonderful service. The technician was courteous and professional. Will definitely use again when needed!"

Erica
"Edward Abdul’s was very through will definitely use again"

Byron
"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
"Highly recommend Oleg! He gave us a thorough evaluation of the vehicle we were looking to purchase!"

Michael
"I asked for a review of a 2006 MBZ. From the Carfax report, the car looked to be well maintained and seemed to be in good condition. The Car Advisor's review confirmed that with some exceptions that I would expect of a 2006 car. What Car Advisors did find, which was not reported by Carfax or the dealer were several parts of the car were repainted. This was the result of crash damage. I didn't buy the car. Thank you Car Advisors!"

Paul
"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
"Excellent service. Very complete report. Good investment. Don’t throw away thousands just to save a couple of hundred. Totally worth it."

Amy
"This experience was better than expected. Oddly enough the check engine light came on after purchase and he came out to see what was missed. It was just that the gas cap wasn’t secure. I appreciate the urgent response and quick through inspection. "

Camri
"Great experience with Oleg! Very thorough pre purchase inspection report and was worth the price!"

Ethan
"Oleg was on time and thorough when inspecting the vehicle of interest. Allowed me to make an informed decision and I was able to walk away from a questionable buy. Thank you."

Keenan
"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
"Eduardo did a great job. He met me at the dealership to inspect the car and provided a thorough report. I'm thankful for his services because otherwise, I'm pretty sure I would've bought a lemon. It was worth every penny to get his advise. "

Erin
"Very timely and well performed inspection on the vehicle. Saved me from a mistake."

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

Joshua
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 $55,185
Mileage 61,626mi
Inspected May 8 2026
Model
Year 2023
Price $36,545
Mileage 52,857mi
Inspected May 6 2026
Model
Year 2019
Price $10,000
Mileage 102,601mi
Inspected May 6 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.