Used vehicles look great in the lot. The expensive problems show up later — soft head gasket, slipping transmission, ball joints on their last legs, a CEL the seller "just hadn't gotten around to." A pre-purchase inspection gives you a real picture before you hand over the cash.
What's covered
- Engine — leaks, compression check on request, belts, hoses, fluids, mounts.
- Transmission and drivetrain — shift quality, fluid condition, leaks, U-joints.
- Suspension and steering — ball joints, tie rods, bushings, struts, alignment indicators.
- Brakes — pad life, rotor condition, lines, parking brake.
- Tires — tread, age, wear pattern (tells us about alignment and suspension).
- Frame and underbody — rust, prior collision repair, weld quality.
- Electrical — battery, charging system, lights, accessories.
- Full diagnostic scan — stored codes, pending codes, readiness monitors.
- Road test — engine, transmission, brakes, steering, noises, vibrations.
- Written report with photos.
Diesels, RVs, and high-mileage trucks
These deserve extra attention. We dig into injector balance, EGR/DPF/DEF health, turbo shaft play, head gasket signs, and frame integrity. See our diesel repair and RV repair pages for what we specialize in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a pre-purchase inspection include?
A full visual inspection of the engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, tires, exhaust, frame, and underbody; a full computer scan for stored codes and pending issues; a road test; and a written report with photos so you can negotiate or walk away with confidence.
How long does it take?
About 60–90 minutes for cars and light trucks. Diesel pickups, RVs, and high-mileage rigs can take longer because there's more to look at.
Can you inspect a vehicle I'm buying from a private seller?
Yes. Make an appointment, have the seller drop it off (or you bring it). We'll inspect it the same as one coming from a dealer.
Do you inspect diesel trucks and RVs?
Yes. We specifically look for the expensive stuff — head gaskets, EGR/DPF issues, injector balance, turbo health, frame rust, transmission shift quality, and on RVs, chassis and brake condition.
Will you tell me whether to buy it?
We'll tell you what's wrong, what it'll cost to fix, and what's likely to fail soon. The buy/don't-buy call is yours, but you'll have the facts to make it.
Ready to get on the schedule?
Call us, book online, or stop by the shop in Jerome.