What Does a Pre-Purchase Vehicle Inspection Include?

Buying a used car is a bigger decision than most people expect. A pre-purchase vehicle inspection is a check of the car by a technician who works for you, not for the seller. It happens before you pay, so you can decide with facts instead of the seller's word.

This guide explains what a pre-purchase inspection usually includes, what it does not cover, and what you should get back from it. If you are buying in Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom or Elk Grove, the same points apply to our mobile service.

What is a pre-purchase vehicle inspection?

A pre-purchase inspection is a hands-on check of a used car before you buy it. A short test drive and a clean interior do not show everything. Fresh paint can cover old damage, and a car can run well on a drive and still have a fault stored in its computer.

The inspection looks at those things while you still have time to act. If the check finds a problem, you can ask the seller to fix it, lower the price, or walk away.

What a pre-purchase inspection includes

At All Auto Repair & Inspection, our mobile pre-purchase inspection has four main parts.

• Computer diagnostics. The technician connects to the car's computer and reads the fault codes it has stored. This includes problems that come and go, which a short drive may not show.

• A road test. The car is driven to see how it starts, drives, steers and stops.

• A visual check. The technician looks the car over for damage, wear, leaks and signs of past repairs.

• A free CARFAX history report. It shows the car's past as well as its present condition.

After the check, you get a written report of what was found. You can read it before you decide.

Other areas a pre-purchase check usually covers

Beyond the four main parts, a pre-purchase check often looks at the areas below. Every check is different, so ask which areas your visit covers before you book.

• The engine bay, including oil and coolant levels, belts, hoses and signs of leaks.

• The brakes and tires, including how much wear is left and how the brakes feel on the road.

• The suspension and steering, including how the car sits and any noise over bumps.

• The body and paint, including uneven panel gaps and paint that does not match, which can point to past repairs.

• The interior and controls, including warning lights, windows, air conditioning and other electronics.

What a pre-purchase inspection does not do

A pre-purchase inspection shows the car's condition at the time of the check. It does not promise to find every problem. Some faults only show up after a long drive, in cold weather, or under load.

It is also not a state smog check or a state safety certificate. It does not replace a check of the title and registration. To match the vehicle identification number (VIN) to those documents, see our VIN verification service.

Private sale or dealer: why an independent check helps

Whether you buy from a private seller or a dealer, an independent check gives you a second opinion. A private seller may not know about a hidden fault. A dealer's own check is useful, but a technician with no stake in the sale can tell you what they found without any pressure on the price.

Use the report in your talks with the seller. A specific finding, such as worn brakes or a stored fault code, is easier to discuss than a general worry. You can ask for the repair before you pay, or you can factor the cost into your offer.

How to prepare for the visit

• Have the car's year, make and model ready when you book.

• Ask the seller for any service records they have.

• Choose a weekday or a Saturday visit, and tell us where the car is.

• Make sure the spot where the car sits is safe to work in.

Mobile inspections in Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom and Elk Grove

We come to the car. Our mobile pre-purchase inspection covers Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom and Elk Grove, and about 5 to 10 miles around each. There is no travel fee, so you do not need to move the car to our shop at 5000 Madison Ave.

A weekday inspection costs $175 and takes about one hour. A Saturday inspection costs $250, which is the $175 inspection plus a $75 weekend fee. We are not available on Sundays.

To see the service details, visit our mobile pre-purchase inspection page.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist

• Fault codes read from the car's computer

• Road test to see how the car starts, drives, steers and stops

• Visual check of the body, paint and tires

• Engine bay, fluid levels and leaks

• Brakes and suspension

• Interior, lights and warning lights

• Free CARFAX history report

• Written report of what was found

Questions buyers ask

How long does a pre-purchase inspection take?

Our mobile pre-purchase inspection takes about one hour.

What does it cost?

It costs $175 on weekdays. Saturday visits are $250, which includes a $75 weekend fee.

Do I get a vehicle history report?

Yes. The inspection includes a free CARFAX history report.

Will the inspection tell me whether to buy the car?

The report lists what we found, so you can make the decision.

Can I book on a Sunday?

No. We are not available on Sundays.

Book your pre-purchase inspection

Book a weekday or Saturday visit online, or call 916-634-5500, Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm. Give us the car's year, make and model, and where the car is, and we will take it from there.