Pre-Purchase Inspection
Before you hand over the money, have someone impartial look at the car.
We come to the vehicle — dealer lot, private seller's driveway, anywhere in Massachusetts. You get 37 rated checkpoints, a diagnostic scan, a minimum of 20 photographs and 2 videos, and a written two-page report.
Photographs and video
Every inspection includes a minimum of 20 photographs and 2 videos. Not a verbal "looks fine to me" — a documented record of the car as it sat on the day we saw it.
If weather, site conditions, or restrictions from the seller stop us hitting that minimum, we'll tell you and note it in the report.
Where a photo and the written report differ, the written report is what governs. The report is the complete record that will be sent via email.
Why it matters
Buying a used car happens fast. One afternoon, one parking lot, one decision.
A test drive tells you how a car feels. It won't tell you the pads are at 3mm or the exhaust has rusted through. We check, we measure, we write it down — with photos.
Then it's your call.
What the inspection does and doesn't cover
We'd rather set this out plainly than have it come as a surprise.
What it is: a visual and functional inspection, performed at the vehicle's location, of what is accessible and visible at the time of service.
What it isn't: the inspection is non-invasive. It does not include disassembly, removal of components, fluid analysis, compression or leak-down testing, paint depth measurement, or inspection of areas that can't be reached without a lift. Undercarriage, engine bay, and interior assessment are limited to what's visible on site.
It is not a state safety inspection, an emissions test, or a certification of any kind. It's not a warranty, and it can't rule out problems that are intermittent, concealed, or that develop later.
On diagnostic codes: a scan reflects what's stored in the vehicle's modules at the moment we're there. Codes can be cleared before an inspection, and an empty scan doesn't prove a car is fault-free — intermittent problems may simply not be present during our window. We report what's there and say so plainly.
On the road test: we'll perform one where the vehicle is registered, insured, safe to operate, and the seller has authorized it. If any of those aren't true, we'll note it.
On the purchase decision: we report what we find. We don't advise on valuation, asking price, or whether to buy — that's yours to decide.
See a real report
This is what you get
How it works
1. Send us the listing. Text or book the link, the vehicle's location, and when you need it done. 774-434-5704
2. Clear it with the seller. You'll need to arrange authorization from the owner, seller, or dealership for us to access and inspect the car. If we arrive and access is denied, it's treated as a no-show.
3. Prepay and sign. Full payment and a signed agreement are required before we dispatch a technician.
4. We inspect on site. Free travel within 30 miles of Hingham, available anywhere in Massachusetts, seven days a week.
5. You get the report. Typically within 24 hours via email. Two pages plus your photos and video.
What we check
37 rated checkpoints across six systems, plus corner-by-corner measurements and panel-by-panel body damage documentation. Every rated item is graded Good, Needs Attention, or Critical.
Diagnostic scan — we pull the codes stored in the vehicle's control modules and write them into the report by code number, with what each one means in plain language. A dashboard with no warning lights doesn't mean a car has no stored faults, and a seller can clear codes the morning you come to look.
Brake and tire measurements — brake thickness in millimeters, tread depth in 32nds, and tire pressure recorded individually at all four corners, plus parking brake function
Exterior — 9 checkpoints — front and rear lights and signals, flashers and plate light, wipers and washer, windshield and glass, mirrors and windows, horn, fuel cap and door, body panels/paint/rust, visual tire condition
Engine bay — 9 checkpoints — engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, brake and clutch fluid, automatic transmission fluid, air intake filter, drive belts, hoses and radiator, battery terminals
Interior — 6 checkpoints — HVAC heating and air conditioning, dash warning lights, power windows/locks/mirrors, seats/upholstery/belts, infotainment and electronics, odor
Underbody — 7 checkpoints — suspension and shocks, steering linkages and ball joints, exhaust and emissions components, oil and fluid leaks, brake lines and hoses, driveshaft and CV joints, transmission and differential fluid
Road test — 6 checkpoints — cold start, acceleration and shift quality, straight-line braking, steering alignment, unusual noises, idle quality
Existing body damage is documented panel by panel: hood, roof, trunk or hatch, front and rear bumpers, and both sides.
Anything not graded Good gets written commentary on the second page explaining what we found and what it will cost to address.
Price and booking
$125 for a full pre-purchase inspection. Mileage surcharge beyond 30 miles from Hingham, MA.
Cancel more than 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Once the technician is on site the fee is non-refundable — it covers travel, time and expertise. Any concerns about the inspection or report should reach us within 7 days.