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What Does a Pre-Purchase Inspection Cover?


When you’re in the market to buy a pre-owned car, there’s nothing more crucial than getting a  pre-purchase inspection before finalizing your decision. This inspection takes about an hour to complete, and it can give you all the information you would want to know about the vehicle’s overall safety and condition. The FTC recommends this step as well, as many people have gotten scammed from buying vehicles before.

A pre-purchase inspection should always be done by an unbiased third-party source, not a family member’s garage. When you take the car to a professional auto service shop, like Robbie’s At Your Service, you’ll have peace of mind that the information you get is trusted. Additionally, we will write a detailed evaluation that you can take back with you to negotiate with the seller. 

What Does a Pre-Purchase Inspection/PPI Cover

Our PPI typically covers a bumper-to-bumper analysis. Our technicians can check for cosmetic flaws. More importantly, we will look under the hood to assess critical systems, such as the engine, cooling system, transmission, and more. We will look for:

  • Signs of underlying problems or damage
  • Prior repairs and the quality of parts used
  • Maintenance history and upcoming needs
  • Integrity of safety features

Additionally, a technician will perform a diagnostic scan test to get a bigger picture of any problems or mechanical concerns. Some auto service shops will even perform a road test to check for suspicious smells or sounds while the vehicle is in motion. 

If you need a quality pre-purchase inspection, please choose Robbie’s At Your Service for the job. We invite you to give our team a call or visit soon.