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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
"Excellent work … I use them consistently whenever I buy a used car"

Bruce
"This was money very well spent! Glad I asked you to look at my second choice. That one is now my first choice based on your reports. Very thorough."

Jeremy
"I am very happy I decided to get a pre-purchase inspection from CarAdvisors. Oleg went to the dealership to inspect the car on the same day I placed my order online and sent me a very thorough professional report by the time I walked out of work at the end of the day. The dealer later told me that they had never seen a mechanic do such a thorough inspection before. Oleg was even happy to answer some follow-up questions I had in the next few days. Gave me peace of mind buying a used car. I highly recommend them."

Benjamin
"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
"Awesome service! Saved me from buying a car that was severely beaten. Also saved me from having to make a long trip to go see the car! Definitely recommend caradvisors to anyone looking to buy a pre owned vehicle!"

Sahel
"Fantastic service as always"

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

taylor
"They actually did a nice inspection and found multiple flaws that I missed. It was worth taking the ppi with caradvisors"

Venkata
"This was the second time that I have used car advisors. Oleg was very easy to work with on the scheduling. He showed up exactly on time and got to work. He was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. I would use him again and recommend him to others."

Mark
"CarAdvisors provides an excellent service! Their pre-purchase inspections are absolutely phenomenal and cover all bases. The inspection provided me with much added confidence to correctly find a vehicle to purchase. Their service is extremely quick, and was done same-day for me. Not only that, when I called to discuss the report, the inspector was extremely helpful in providing his hesitations and what he believed is good/bad with a vehicle. Overall, CarAdvisors is an absolutely amazing service, and worth every penny!"

Leland
"Eduard was incredibly thorough and made me feel comfortable with by purchase on top of being very personable. Great working with him, and would do it again in a heartbeat. "

Jeremy
"Mr. Karelov thank you. One of theses days we're going to hit the jackpot with your help."

EDWARD
"Amazing support. Inspection was completed within 24 hours of order. A high quality report was delivered with all information you need. Highly recommend."

Curtis
"Oleg is very professional and does a fantastic job."

Customer
"Eduard was great! Great report, very responsive! I would absolutely use him again to do an inspection!"

Andrew
"Ordered an inspection on a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Got an incredibly detailed report which led me to ultimately not purchasing the vehicle. There were many safety concerns that the inspector noted in their report. "

Emir
"Oleg was reliable and thorough. He spent the time to explain what he found and how concerned we should be about each item. The report he sent was comprehensive and included some pictures of areas to keep an eye on. I definitely recommend him!"

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

Dwight
"Update: Oleg is prompt, polite, and easy to work with. However, he missed the mark on this inspection. I purchased the car with peace of mind based on his report, and it was back in the dealership service center within 10 days of purchase, and again 6 times since (have owned the car 6mo) due to the engine shutting down while driving. I’ve sunk tons of money and time into this car’s problems. Very disappointed and want to remind folks that Oleg’s inspection may not be able to catch what’s wrong. "

Christina
"I don't buy any car without Car Advisors (Oleg) review first. I then assess whether its worth buying. He works for me and not the seller and I am confident in that as well as their report! He thought repairs might cost me up to 2K but I ended up only needing $1200 for the jeep I bought. Great service!"

Jay
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 2018
Price $36,195
Mileage 77,838mi
Inspected Aug 13 2026
Model
Year 2015
Price $8,900
Mileage 113,640mi
Inspected Aug 12 2026
Model
Year 2014
Price $7,500
Mileage 93,231mi
Inspected Aug 13 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.
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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.
?
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.