Pre-Purchase Inspection
You found a used car online. Good price, reasonable miles, clean photos. The seller seems straightforward. You take it for a drive and it feels fine. You're ready to buy.
Here's what a 20-minute test drive won't show you: whether the transmission is about to slip, whether that clean engine bay is hiding an oil leak, whether there's rust eating through the frame underneath a fresh undercoat, or whether the car was in a flood six months ago and cleaned up well. Private sellers and even dealerships disclose what they're required to. They don't always volunteer the rest. We see cars every week that looked fine on a test drive and turned into expensive headaches two weeks later for their new owners. A used car inspection before you buy isn't paranoia. It's how you avoid buying someone else's problem.
For $145, our technicians go through the vehicle mechanically, electrically, and structurally. You get a full written report of everything we find and honest estimates of what any issues will cost to fix. If it's a bad deal, we'll tell you. If it's solid, you'll know that too and you can negotiate from a position of real information instead of hope.
Why This Happens
Used cars accumulate problems that don't always announce themselves during a test drive. Transmission slippage often only shows up under load or when fully warmed up. Rust develops in hidden areas like frame rails, floor pans, and wheel wells that look fine from a distance. Suspension wear creates a vague looseness that's easy to miss if you don't know what to feel for. Flood-damaged cars can be dried out and detailed to look clean while harboring mold and electrical issues behind dashboards. A mechanic inspection before buying a used car catches what a test drive and visual inspection miss.
How We Fix It
We put the car on a lift and inspect underneath for rust, leaks, suspension wear, and any signs of prior accident damage or repair. We check all fluid levels and conditions, test the brakes, inspect tires for wear patterns, and run an OBD-II scan for any stored or pending fault codes the seller may not have disclosed. We road test it, listening and feeling for anything abnormal. Everything we find goes into a written report with honest notes on what's urgent, what's minor, and what's normal wear for the mileage. We have no stake in whether you buy the car. Our only job is to give you accurate information.
What's Included
- Full mechanical inspection (engine, transmission, drivetrain)
- Brake and suspension inspection
- Fluid level and condition check
- Tire tread depth and wear pattern check
- Undercarriage and frame inspection for rust and damage
- OBD-II scan for stored and pending fault codes
- Detailed written inspection report
Why Drivers in Hendersonville Choose LAV Motors
- Completely independent, we have zero stake in whether you buy
- Written report with honest repair cost estimates
- 30+ years experience across all makes and models
- We explain what issues actually matter versus what's normal wear
- Could save you thousands on a bad purchase
Common Questions
Can the seller just bring the car to you?
Yes. You can coordinate with the seller to bring the vehicle to our shop. Most sellers who have nothing to hide are happy to allow it.
Should I get an inspection even if it's from a dealership?
Yes. Even certified pre-owned vehicles can have issues that weren't caught or disclosed. An independent mechanic inspection gives you information that isn't filtered through the seller's interest.
What if the inspection finds problems?
That's exactly why you get an inspection. You can use the findings to negotiate the price down, ask the seller to fix it first, or walk away from a bad deal. All better than finding out after you've signed.
Ready to Get It Fixed?
Call us or stop by. No appointment needed for most services. We're on Spartanburg Hwy in Hendersonville.