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

EDWARD
"We had never had an pre-purchase inspection before, but so glad we decided to invest in one! Service was fast and communication was clear, and the inspection found several issues that we would not have been aware of in our decision-making otherwise. Thanks for the professional assistance, it's so appreciated!"

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

ANTHONY
"Good looking car with worn transmission. Thank you for saving my money) !"

David
"You should not even consider buying a preowned car in the metro Atlanta area without calling Oleg first. The car I'd found was exactly what I was looking for, but the Carfax report indicated that the car had passed through three dealers in the last 11 months and had been at the current dealer for nine months. I reached out to Oleg at 10 AM. He was at the dealership by 1:15 PM; I had the report in hand before 5 PM. It was detailed, well organized, easy to read, and included multiple photos. Long story short, he saved me from buying a car that I would have had to drive directly to authorized dealer service. The vehicle also had numerous cosmetic (badly stained upholstery, cracked touchpad, gouged steering wheel and wood paneling; apparently the prior owner was a beaver) and electronic issues in the cabin that would have ended up costing more to replace than the mechanical issues would to repair. The dealer photographs omitted all of those issues. On top of that, the prior owner was a smoker and the car remains decidedly funky almost a year later. It's the best $170 you'll ever spend. The repairs and replacements would've cost thousands of dollars, never mind avoiding frustration and buyer's remorse. Thanks, Oleg!"

Kieran
"Using Car Advisors was the best decision I made while buying my used Audi. Oleg was professional and very thorough and provided me the peace of mind I needed when buying my used car. I definitely recommend using Car Advisors. I plan to use them for my next used car purchase. "

Madeleine
"We had a great experience. Very thorough attention to detail and great customer service.Highly recommend!"

James Matthew
"I was pleased by the promptness and thoroughness of the report. It saved me from a long trip to the dealer just to find out the car was a beat up old lemon."

Mark
"Very professional and thorough inspection. Helpful advice and honest review "

Davron
"My car inspection was both thorough and insightful. I am not a mechanic but have a working understanding of basic things to look for when buying a used car. I have always used a mechanic or car inspector before buying a used car. Oleg (CarAdvisors) was the most thorough, by far. Based on my assessment and my extensive test drive of the car, the car appeared to me to be in good working condition. Plus, the car had a clean and accident free carfax. After Oleg's assessment, he saved me from making a $2500 mistake. The car looked good but needed about $2500 in repairs. Needless to say, I did not purchase that particular car. I am very impressed with CarAdvisor's thorough assessment. I am using CarAdvisors to inspect a different car for me tomorrow. I highly recommend CarAdvisors to inspect your car before making a purchase. They can save you money and save you from making an expensive mistake. Mark"

Mark
"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
"It was a very professional service and saved me from buying a car with a lot of underlying issues I did not notice. "

Peter
"Very detailed inspection! Will definitely use in the future."

Lorna
"After a little research, I decided to find someone to do an inspection before my next used car purchase. There are other companies online that appear to provide a lot, and I was confused as to whether their inflated prices were worth the money. I chose Car Advisors based on pricing and the sample reports available online. After finding a seemingly perfect BMW X5 with low miles, I setup an appointment online. He setup the inspection with the seller and took care of everything. The report was easily made available online after payment was processed. I was amazed. The report was so detailed, and the inspector was thorough. He found things I never would have thought to look for. And he also discovered some pretty major problems and some computer codes that were cleared out that could have been catastrophic. Inspection fee is a great value and saved me from a potential mistake worth $1000s. I highly recommend Car Advisors and already have another inspection setup for my next prospective vehicle!"

Troy
"Excellent job inspecting a vehicle I was interested. Found lots of hidden damage and deferred maintenance that I didn’t know about which saved me from spending over $60,000 on a car that was not as advertised. Report very detailed and thorough to make sure I truly knew everything there was to know about the car. 10/10 would recommend!"

Thomas
"I was extremely grateful for the inspection performed by Oleg. It prevented me from purchasing a vehicle that needed much work: not a good deal from the dealership. "

Customer
"Thank you! The inspection was done very quickly and the report was clear and easy to understand!"

Kaila
"I was very pleased with how quickly and smoothly this process went. The report that I received was very detailed, and it was extremely helpful in my decision-making process. I will absolutely use CarAdvisors again."

Alexandria
"Oleg was extremely thorough and professional. He showed me some things that I would have never thought to check for. I would not hesitate to utilize him again. "

Michael
"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 2018
Price $19,500
Mileage 49,000mi
Inspected Apr 2 2025
Model
Year 2010
Price $7,000
Mileage 17,062mi
Inspected Apr 2 2025
Model
Year 2019
Price $19,000
Mileage 82,701mi
Inspected Apr 1 2025
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.