What is a pre-purchase inspection?
Key Takeaways
- Always get a pre-purchase inspection before buying a used car, even if it has low mileage.
- It's worth the money to pay an independent mechanic. Don't let the dealership convince you otherwise.
- A PPI typically costs between $100 and $300, but can save you several thousand dollars in the long run.
Some things in life are worth checking twice. For example, when you leave your home it isn’t a bad idea to double check that you locked the door. Checking twice can save you a lot of headache, right? The same principle applies when purchasing a used car, and it’s exactly why you need to consider getting a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) on any used car you’re thinking of buying.
We’ve recorded countless videos for our YouTube channel talking about pre-purchase inspections and their importance. The long and short of it is that pre-purchase car inspections are 100% necessary for used car purchases. If you’re buying a used car, you need to get a pre-purchase inspection on it first, no ifs, ands, buts, or maybes.
Let’s dive into the details of what a PPI includes.
What is a pre-purchase inspection?
Simply put, a pre-purchase inspection is a vehicle inspection that occurs in advance of a vehicle sale. There are no set parameters for what constitutes a pre-purchase inspection (that is to say there isn’t a universally accepted “checklist” of things that a mechanic needs to review to complete the inspection).
Pre-purchase inspections (commonly referred to as PPIs) are simply a mechanical review of a vehicle in advance of a sale.
When should I get a PPI?
As the name suggests, you should get a PPI conducted in advance of purchasing a vehicle. Specifically you should have a PPI conducted the same day, or within a few days of taking delivery of a vehicle.
The last thing you want to do is have a pre-purchase inspection conducted only to have an issue crop up a few days later unexpectedly. Taking ownership as quickly as possible after your PPI is conducted is a best practice.
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Where can I get a pre-purchase car inspection?
There are a few options for where you can get a pre-purchase inspection completed. First and foremost, if you have family or friends who are auto mechanics, ask them to help. If not, fallback to your trusted local mechanic. If you don’t have a local mechanic who can help (or if you’re buying the vehicle from out of state), consider using a national service like Lemon Squad.
We recommend Lemon Squad because they have been in business for a decade and have an “A” rating with the Better Business Bureau. We don’t get compensated for saying that, we simply think they’re a viable option if you don’t have a trusted family member, friend, or local mechanic.
What should be inspected?
It’s important to keep in mind that there is no universally accepted “checklist” for what is inspected during a PPI. That being said, there are a few things your mechanic will absolutely pay attention to. Specifically they’ll inspect:
- The vehicle dashboard
- Tires and suspension
- Fluids
- Brakes
- Engine
- Transmission
- Exhaust
- The body and frame of the vehicle
- Lights
- HVAC
At the end of the day each mechanic will have a slightly different pre-purchase inspection process. Bear in mind that most mechanics will find at least one thing that should be done on the car. Remember, it’s their job to find things and make you aware of them!
A PPI is similar to a home inspection on a house. You want your mechanic to be thorough (just like you want the home inspector to be thorough), and so you’d almost be disappointed if there wasn’t anything wrong with the car (or the house). Keep this in mind when you receive the pre-purchase inspection report. Your mechanic will make you aware of what is really important, and what is lower priority.
How much does a pre-purchase inspection cost, and who pays?
If your mechanic charges you more than a couple hundred dollars for the pre-purchase inspection, you may want to ask them a few questions. Depending on the vehicle, a PPI should range anywhere from $100 to $300.
Considering the vehicle you’re thinking of purchasing is most likely worth tens of thousands of dollars, the investment upfront in a PPI is well worth it. The headache you save, and the peace of mind you gain makes a pre-purchase inspection a worthy investment.
Do you have other questions about pre-purchase car inspections? If so, let us know in the comments down below.
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