A pre-purchase inspection is the best $100–$150 you'll spend before buying a used car. Not to find a reason not to buy — to know exactly what you're buying, and what it's going to cost you to bring it up to where you want it.
What a Good PPI Covers
Body and Frame
Rust, previous accident repair, panel gaps that don't line up, mismatched paint. A trained eye catches things a CarFax won't. Frame damage in particular — even a cosmetically repaired car with a bent frame is a problem.
Engine and Fluids
Fluid levels, fluid condition, signs of leaks. Oil that looks like coffee with cream means coolant in the oil — a bad sign. Check for smoke on startup, unusual exhaust color, anything running rough.
Cooling System
Hoses, clamps, the radiator. Cooling system failures are common and expensive to ignore.
Brakes
Pad thickness, rotor condition, caliper function. Brake jobs aren't catastrophic money, but knowing you need one on day one lets you negotiate or budget accordingly.
Tires
Tread depth, even wear, age. Tires have a date code on the sidewall. Rubber over 6 years old should be replaced regardless of tread, especially in Texas heat.
Electrical
Check all the lights, windows, AC and heat, infotainment, charging ports. Electrical gremlins are cheap to miss during a test drive and expensive to chase later.
Under the Hood
Belts, battery age, aftermarket modifications that might indicate something was broken and jury-rigged instead of fixed properly.
Test Drive
Cold start, highway speeds, braking, any unusual sounds or vibrations, transmission shift feel. Pull out on a road where you can get the car up to 65 without risk.
Why Mobile PPI Makes Sense for Private Party Sales
A mobile mechanic comes to wherever the car is — the seller's driveway, a parking lot, an apartment complex. You don't have to convince the seller to let you drive it across town to a shop, and they don't have to trust you with their car before you've agreed to a price.
The mechanic shows up, does the inspection where the car sits, and gives you a straight assessment. It's cleaner for everyone.
What to Do With the Findings
Not every finding is a dealbreaker. A $200 brake job and $150 in filters is normal for a used car that's been driven. Get repair estimates for anything significant and ask the seller to meet you halfway. Most private sellers will negotiate when you come with a written inspection report and specific numbers.
The dealbreakers: frame damage, a blown head gasket, a transmission that's slipping, or any sign that the car was in a major accident that wasn't disclosed. Walk away from those.
Book a pre-purchase inspection in Austin — we come to the car. →