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How to Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection Before Buying a Used Car

Author: Chris HardestyByChris Hardesty
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Quick Facts for Pre-Purchase Inspections

  • Inspections help verify a car’s condition, including the body, mechanical components, tech systems, and EV battery health.
  • Mobile inspection services now simplify out-of-state purchases by sending certified inspectors and delivering digital reports. 
  • Savvy buyers review vehicle history reports, request service records, video walkarounds, and use escrow to avoid scams.

Buying a used car located several hours away or from out of state can save you money or broaden the selection to help you find the exact vehicle you want. But before sending money and arranging shipping, you need to know the car is mechanically sound. That’s where a pre-purchase inspection comes in.

This guide explains how inspections work, modern tools that simplify the process, and what you must check in 2025 — especially if you’re considering an electric vehicle (EV) or a tech-heavy model.

What Is the Pre-Purchase Inspection?

A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is an independent evaluation of a vehicle’s condition by a qualified inspector or mechanic before you buy it. Checklists vary, but used car inspections typically include:

  • Exterior and body: Check for crash damage, repainting, flood signs, or rust, and observe that it sits level.
  • Tires and brakes: Tread depth, age, uniform wear, brake pad/rotor health.
  • Engine bay and undercarriage: Fluid leaks, belt and hose condition, frame or rust issues.
  • OBD-II diagnostics: Scan for error codes.
  • Interior and electronics: Heating, air conditioning, instrument cluster, seat adjustments.
  • Test drive: Braking, suspension, acceleration, steering feel — provided the seller allows the inspector to drive the car.
  • Exhaust and emissions: Corrosion, bracket condition, emissions test (if required).

For newer cars, inspections also check technology systems and components specific to electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids, and hybrid models:

  • Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS): Adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, cameras, parking sensors.
  • Infotainment and updates: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, over-the-air (OTA) software updates.
  • EV battery health: Range testing, charging port, and high-voltage system diagnostics.

How to Arrange an Out-of-State Inspection

In the past, buyers had to beg sellers and mechanics to coordinate. Today, mobile services make it much simpler to get an inspection.

  1. Book a Mobile Inspection Service
    • Companies such as Alliance Inspection Management’s AiM Certify, owned by Autotrader’s parent, Cox Automotive, will send certified inspectors directly to the seller’s location.
  2. Verify Seller Cooperation
    • Let the seller know the inspector will come to them. If they refuse, treat it as a red flag.
  3. Get a Digital Report
    • Within 24 to 48 hours, you’ll receive photos, videos, and a PDF checklist. Some services offer a live video call during the inspection.

MORE: Buying a Car Out of State: 8 Things You Must Know

Will an Inspection Catch Everything?

Not always. Even thorough inspections with 150-point checklists may miss hidden issues. Your neighbor’s friend, colleague’s cousin, or even your mechanic may have a tale about a vehicle receiving a glowing inspection report, only to find later that it needed an expensive repair that should have been flagged.

Recollections you hear through the rumor mill might be accurate, but most of the time, a PPI can save hundreds or thousands of dollars by noting potential problems before you buy.

Alternatives: Using Your Own Investigative Skills

Some buyers skip inspections and rely on:

  • Detailed seller interviews: Learn why they’re selling, maintenance history, and known issues.
  • Maintenance records: Scans of paper receipts or digital service logs show the seller’s level of care.
  • Video walkarounds: Sellers can record cold starts, driving footage, and feature demonstrations.

Using these alternatives works best if you trust the seller. If they avoid your questions or refuse an inspection, walk away.

Avoiding Scams

Use Autotrader’s Private Seller Exchange (PSX), where sellers and buyers are vetted, and transactions are secure. If the car you’re buying isn’t available on the PSX platform, protect yourself from online car sales scams.

  • Run the vehicle identification number (VIN) through AutoCheck or Carfax.
  • Use an escrow service for payment.
  • Avoid sellers who:
    • Won’t allow an inspection.
    • Push for fast payment.
    • Refuse video calls.

MORE: Can You Return a Car You Just Bought?

Is a Pre-Purchase Inspection Worth It?

Yes, for most buyers. Cars are expensive, and one hidden issue can erase any savings from buying far from home or out of state. A $300 inspection could save you $3,000 or more.

Inspections make the most sense if:

  • The car is rare, high-value, or far away.
  • You’re unfamiliar with the make/model.
  • The seller is an unknown source.

MORE: Should You Buy an Extended Warranty for a Used Car?

Buyer’s Checklist for 2025

Before committing to a long-distance car sale:

✅ Book a mobile inspection service online.
✅ Ask for complete service history (digital receipts).
✅ Get a video walkaround from the seller.
✅ Run the VIN through multiple vehicle history databases.
✅ For EVs, request a battery health scan.
✅ Use escrow for secure payment.

Bottom Line

You no longer need to juggle sellers and mechanics with dozens of phone calls. Mobile inspection services, digital records, and secure payment tools make out-of-state sales smoother. If the seller refuses an inspection or documentation, consider it your best clue to walk away. A thorough inspection might cost a few hundred dollars, but it can keep you from buying a potential clunker, and the cost is worth the peace of mind.

Editor’s note: We have updated this article since its initial publication. Doug Demuro contributed to the report.

Author: Chris Hardesty

Chris Hardesty

Chris Hardesty is an author specializing in general car tips and electric vehicles. He spent more than 25 years in newspapers, including leading editorial research efforts at The News & Observer in North Carolina, The Mercury News in California, and Newsday in New York. After that, he was an online news editor at The Wall Street Journal before moving to the Atlanta area. He didn’t have a… Read more about Chris Hardesty

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34 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Doug! So just so happens I am in the Atlanta area and looking for a good place to  get this Infiniti G37 I.m buying Monday preinspected, and was hoping you could help in suggesting a reputable place for inspection? If so plz email me ASAP at newcarbuywithconfidence2020@gmail.com for I.m looking to make a purchase in 2 days. Thank you in advance!

  5. How about PPI companies?  I will not list them but I’m sure you know them.  Are they worth it or not?

  6. Why not use the new Veryfier app to hire an independent third-party person to go out  inspect and check the item before you purchase? It is really important that the inspection should be done by a 3rd party person who will give an honest  review and report. Download the app at the Veryfier website or go to iTunes  store.

  7. Why not use the new Veryfier app to hire an independent third-party person to go out inspect and check the item before you purchase? It is really important that the inspection should be done by a 3rd party person who will give an honest review and report. Download the app at the Veryfier website or go to iTunes store.

  8. “…where you all ask Doug a question, and then Doug attempts to provide a witty, partially correct response while commenters tell you the real answer.”


    Coca-Cola all over my computer screen. I’m guilty of doing this! Hahaha love it.

  9. In my experience, I’ve found it easier to arrange pre-purchase inspections with used dealers than private sellers. I don’t really have much experience to begin with buying lots of different cars, but all the cars I had inspected were easily arranged, even before I could drive stick!

  10. Good article. I’m thinking of buying an E30 or NA Miata in Vancouver around December / January. These are useful tips. 

  13. This is a very timely article for me… I’m in the process of picking up an Aston out in DC, over 800 miles away from me.  I’ve left numerous voicemails for the service dept at “Exclusive Automotive Group”, the only Aston dealer within a few hundred miles of DC.  First off, what service dept can’t even answer their phone?  Second, do you want my business or not?  My intent is to have them run through the same inspection they use for their B2B warranty.  You wouldn’t think this would be that hard.

    • By my count at least 3 different Nissan dealers and one Subaru dealer in my area can’t answer the service department phone.  It shouldn’t be this hard to give somebody my money…

    • This is the place where I bought my V8 Vantage by the way.

      Did you end up getting through? I know you mentioned you bought the car!

  15. I just bought a Porsche from 1,200 miles away. The dealers won’t do a PPI anymore “due to liaility”. I got that from several before I found an independent to look at it.  I was mostly looking for over-revs and codes. The maintenance was all documented.  

  16. This is why I love Forums (even thought they appear to be dying and moving to facespace). You can almost find an enthusiast in any part of the lower 48 (except Delaware) with a simple request. Of course my cars are more pedestrian as I am intent on only owning Malaise era American cars, so I just need someone to look at it and make sure the things like the windows still roll up and steering wheel has less than 5 degrees of play in it. 

  17. Wait a second your Hummer was from Ohio and the first visit to Ohio was during your cross country trip?!?! Something sounds fishy…

    • I cannot find the big post where Doug announced the purchase details on the new #Dougcar…. I did see this footnote in a long drawn out post about how awful Hummer buying is however.

      “After calling or e-mailing on seven different trucks since December and getting four total pre-purchase inspections, I finally settled on the one I bought: a rare 1995 gas-powered model with faded yellow paint and a little surface rust on the body. The central tire inflation system is plugged. There’s a Chevy V8 under the hood. No diesel problems. No cracked cylinders. No complicated modern electronics. No issues, no problems, no drawbacks.”

      No mention of OH-IO

    • Haha. Dude, it’s six hours from Youngstown to Philly. You think I DROVE that thing?!?!??!?

      I actually asked the guy about driving it and he STRONGLY recommended not doing it. Also, the PPI uncovered a brake issue (that I negotiated off the price) that I didn’t want to chance on a longer trip.
      I had it shipped via UShip. It was like $650 — not cheap, I guess due to weight? Best $650 I ever spent though.

  18. In these scenarios, it is worthwhile to ask WWMD…What Would Marvin Do? There are a couple of nationwide outfits that can do this like Auto Appraisal Group, Lemon Squad. 

    What I’ve done is I’ve asked sellers to go to their manufacturer dealership (i.e. when I was looking at a Lexus, asked the seller to take it to their local Lexus service), paid the dealership service dept via credit card (usually $100) and get a formal write-up.  A friend of mine, looking at a Ford Raptor, asked the Ford Service Advisor 2000 miles away to use the Ford CPO checklist.

    Or just buy a car from someone in Doug’s social circle, he’ll vouch for it =)

    • haha. Don’t do the last thing!!!

      I think what you’ve done is exactly what I’d suggest, and what I do myself. It can be a bit inconvenient, and I know friends who have lost cars this way (bought by quicker people who didn’t bother with a PPI), but so be it. Worth it for the peace of mind.

  19. I love how you joke about the Allroad’s reliability and the website provides a link so I can purchase a lovely 2013 Allroad! 

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