A 100-point inspection before you hand over the money.
Sellers — even honest ones — don't always know what's wrong with their car. We put it on the lift, drive it, scan it, and hand you a written report with photos. Then you decide with facts, not hope.
100-point inspection · about 1 hour · written report with photos.
If you buy the car and have us do the recommended work, we credit the $149 toward the repair.
How it works
Book a slot
Call or request online. You, the seller, or both bring the car to our shop in Freehold. Inspections are by appointment so your car gets a full hour on the lift.
We inspect everything
An ASE-certified technician works through our 100-point checklist: under the car, under the hood, on the road, and in the computer. About an hour, and you're welcome to watch.
You get the report
A written report with photos, prioritized into safety issues, upcoming maintenance, and cosmetic items — plus ballpark repair costs. The report is yours, no strings attached.
What we check — and why it matters
A shiny car can hide expensive problems. Here's what our inspection covers:
🚗 Exterior & body
Paint and panels tell the story of a car's past. We look for the accidents sellers don't mention.
- Paint thickness readings on every panel — spots hidden bodywork
- Panel gaps and alignment for signs of collision repair
- Glass condition, chips, and replacement markings
- Lights, lenses, and trim — cracked housings trap moisture
🛞 Tires & wheels
A set of tires costs $600–$1,000. Worn or mismatched tires also hint at alignment or suspension trouble.
- Tread depth on all four corners — plus the spare
- Tire age (DOT date code) — old rubber fails even with tread left
- Uneven wear patterns that point to alignment issues
- Wheels for bends, cracks, and curb damage
🔧 Engine bay
Leaks, worn belts, and tired batteries are the most common "surprise" repair bills. We catch them cold.
- Fluid levels and condition — oil, coolant, transmission, brake, power steering
- Belts and hoses for cracks, glazing, and soft spots
- Battery health and charging system test
- Signs of overheating history or head-gasket trouble
⬆️ Under the car (on the lift)
This is the part you can't do in a driveway. Rust and leaks live underneath — and they're the deal-breakers.
- Frame and subframe for rust, bends, and previous repairs
- Exhaust system condition and leaks
- Suspension components, bushings, and shocks/struts
- Brake lines, fuel lines, and fluid leaks
- CV boots and drivetrain components
🛣️ Test drive
Some problems only show up in motion — transmission shifts, alignment pulls, noises that vanish at idle.
- Transmission shift quality, hot and cold
- Steering pull, vibration, and brake pulsation
- Suspension noises over bumps
- Engine performance under load and at highway speed
💡 Interior & electronics
Modern cars are computers on wheels. Electrical gremlins are miserable to chase — we scan for them up front.
- Full computer scan — engine, transmission, ABS, airbag modules
- Every button, switch, window, lock, and mirror
- Heat, A/C, defrost, and seat functions
- Dashboard warning lights and instrument cluster
- Signs of water intrusion or flood history
📄 Paperwork & VIN
The car's paper trail matters as much as its metal. We help you read it.
- VIN plates match across the car — mismatches are a red flag
- Mileage consistency across service records and inspection stickers
- Title status discussion — what salvage, rebuilt, and flood brands mean
- Maintenance history review, if records are available
$149 now beats $4,000 later.
The average surprise repair we find on inspected cars costs far more than the inspection. Book yours today.
Book an InspectionCommon questions
Do I need an appointment?
Can I watch the inspection?
What happens if you find problems?
Do you inspect cars at dealerships or from private sellers?
Is the $149 applied if I need repairs?
📋 Free: The Used-Car Walk-Around Checklist
Shopping this weekend? Get our printable 40-point checklist — the quick version of what we look for — so you can weed out the bad ones before you ever book an inspection.
✅ You're in!
Your checklist is on its way to your inbox. Happy car hunting — and call us when you find "the one."