SVC/PPI — DELRAY BEACH, FL
Pre-Purchase Car Inspection
European specialists — Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche — with the same standards on domestic cars. Since 1995.
Book an appointmentThe best money you will ever spend when buying a used car is the pre-purchase inspection you order before the money changes hands. A PPI is a detailed, unbiased assessment of the vehicle’s true condition, done by a qualified, independent mechanic who answers to you — not to the seller, and not to the sale.
Here is how it works when buying a car: you make an offer contingent on passing an inspection, and any reputable dealership or private seller will agree — refusing the request is itself a red flag. The car comes to us for about two hours and gets the kind of attention no test drive and no Carfax printout can give you.
On the lift we assess the condition of everything that matters — brakes, suspension, steering, tires, the exhaust, every place a leak hides — and then comes the part most automotive inspection services skip: factory-grade diagnostics. We scan every control module, read the stored fault memory, and cross-check the mileage recorded across modules against the odometer. A vehicle history report only shows what was reported; the car’s own computers show what actually happened.
And because this is South Florida, every used vehicle gets flood and water-damage checks: corrosion in the connectors, moisture staining under the carpets and upholstery, silt in the seams. A car can look showroom-clean and still have spent a night underwater — our flood-damage guide shows exactly what we look for.
You get a written, same-day inspection report with photos and a straight answer: what the car needs now, what is coming soon, and whether we would buy it ourselves at that price. When the car checks out, the detailed report becomes your negotiation leverage. When it does not, it just saved you from buying someone else’s problem. European cars are our specialty — Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche — and we inspect domestic makes, classic cars and JDM imports to the same standard. Want to pre-screen the car yourself first? Start with our used car inspection guide, then bring it in for the real thing.
What's included
- Full visual inspection on the lift — brakes, suspension, steering, tires, leaks, signs of frame damage or fresh body-shop paint
- Factory-tool diagnostics: every module scanned, fault memory read, mileage cross-checked
- Road test by a mechanic who knows the model
- Vehicle history report reviewed against real, physical wear
- Florida flood & water-damage checks on every car
- Same-day written inspection report with photos
OTHER SERVICES
COMMON QUESTIONS
Pre-Purchase Car Inspection — FAQs
Is a pre-purchase car inspection worth it?
It is the cheapest insurance in car buying: one inspection fee against a four- or five-figure surprise — hidden engine issues, a tired transmission, frame damage under fresh paint. And when the used vehicle turns out good, the written report becomes your negotiating leverage on the price. Either way you come out ahead, and the decision to purchase gets made with open eyes.
How much does a pre-purchase inspection cost?
Nationally, the cost of a pre-purchase inspection runs from about $150 for a basic once-over to $300 and up for a thorough inspection with full diagnostics — European cars sit at the upper end because the electronics take longer to read properly. Call (561) 279-0297 with the year and model and we will give you the exact price before you book. Set against a four-figure repair bill, it is the best money in the whole deal.
What does the inspection include?
A full vehicle inspection on the lift — brakes, suspension, tires, frame, every leak point — plus a factory-tool scan of every module, fault-memory and mileage verification, a vehicle history review against physical wear, Florida flood checks, and a road test. It ends with a same-day written report with photos: what is cosmetic, what is critical, which worn components are due, and our honest verdict — buy it, negotiate it, or walk away.
How long does a pre-purchase inspection take?
About two hours for most cars, a little longer for complex European models or classics. You get the inspection report the same day — usually within the hour after we finish — so your deal does not lose momentum while you wait.
Can I get an inspection on a car from a private seller or a dealership?
Both — used car inspections are routine for dealerships, and most private sellers in the Delray Beach area will drive the car over themselves. Whether it is a private sale or a dealer lot, you can get an inspection before any papers are signed. If a seller refuses an independent inspection outright, that is the biggest red flag of all.
Can you tell if the mileage is genuine?
Often, yes. On European cars the mileage is stored in multiple control modules, not just the instrument cluster. Factory tools let us cross-check them, and any inconsistency is a red flag that goes straight into your report.
Should I still inspect a certified pre-owned car?
Yes. A certified pre-owned car is not a new car — it is a used car with the seller’s own checklist attached. An independent, third-party inspection answers to you, not to the sale — and stored faults or a leak-down test can tell a very different story from the brochure when you are purchasing a used vehicle.
Do you inspect classic cars and imports?
Happily — classic cars and imports are the vehicles that need a PPI most, because parts and surprises cost the most. The owner has restored classic BMWs and worked on air-cooled Porsche 911s, and JDM imports like Land Cruiser Prados come through the shop regularly. If it is unusual, that is a reason to inspect it — not to skip it.
Your car deserves the very best.
100% recommended · 59 reviews · Free estimate · Since 1995
Book an appointmentEarly drop-off by arrangement — call ahead.