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How to Get a Used-Car Pre-Purchase Inspection

Arrange an independent inspection before buying a used car. Learn how to coordinate access with the seller and what to request in the mechanic’s report.

By CarCody Team 3 min read
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Before buying a used car, arrange an independent mechanical inspection with a mechanic you choose. First get the seller’s agreement and coordinate where the car can be inspected; then ask the mechanic for written findings that identify the vehicle and estimate necessary repairs. The Federal Trade Commission recommends paying for an independent inspection even when a dealer says a car is certified or offers a warranty.

How to arrange a pre-purchase inspection

  1. Find a mechanic who performs inspections before purchase

    Contact an independent repair shop or mechanic and ask whether they inspect the specific vehicle before a sale. Confirm what the inspection covers, when the provider is available, how the car needs to be brought in, and what written report you will receive. AAA’s Approved Auto Repair directory can help identify repair facilities, but call the shop to confirm that it offers pre-purchase inspections and ask about its scope and timing.

  2. Agree on access with the seller

    Tell the seller you want an independent inspection before buying and ask to take the car to a facility you choose. Set a time and agree who will transport it. The FTC says an inspection is still worthwhile if a dealer claims it has already inspected or certified the car or offers a warranty or service contract. Its advice is directed to dealer purchases; with a private seller, treat access as something to agree on rather than a right established by this guidance.

  3. Make a plan if the car cannot leave the lot

    Ask whether a mobile inspection provider can inspect the vehicle where it is parked. If that is not available, ask the dealer to take it to your chosen repair facility. If a dealer refuses to permit an independent inspection, the FTC advises considering another dealer.

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  4. Request a useful written report

    Ask the mechanic to put the findings in writing, identify the car by make, model, and VIN, and include estimated costs for necessary repairs. Use the findings and estimates to decide whether to proceed; an inspection can reveal problems but does not guarantee a trouble-free car or identify every hidden defect.

Shop-based or mobile inspection?

The right arrangement depends on access, provider capability, and logistics. The reviewed guidance does not establish a standard price advantage for either option, so ask local providers for quotes and confirm the deliverable before booking.

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Arrangement When it may fit What to confirm
Shop-based inspection The seller agrees that the vehicle can leave the lot for a facility you select. Whether the shop can inspect this vehicle before purchase, its available time, transport arrangements, scope, written report, and local quote.
Mobile inspection The vehicle cannot leave the seller’s lot, but a provider can come to it. Whether the provider can perform the requested inspection on site, when it can come, what the report includes, and the quote.
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What a mechanical inspection does—and does not—replace

  • Vehicle-history report: It may flag events such as reported accidents or flood history, but it typically does not identify mechanical problems. It answers a different question from a hands-on inspection and is not a substitute for one.
  • Safety inspection: This generally focuses on whether a vehicle is unsafe to drive. It is not the same as a broader mechanical inspection intended to help you assess a car before purchase.

The FTC’s used-car buying guidance says the buyer pays the inspection fee but does not give a national price. Costs and inspection scope vary by provider and location, so ask directly before scheduling.

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