Pre-purchase inspection: check a used car before you pay

Underneath is where a used car tells its story.
The job
An independent look at a used car before you buy it.
Where
Wherever the car is parked, Dublin
Price
Agreed before we start

A short viewing hides a lot. An inspection by someone who works on cars gives you a clear picture before you hand over the money, and something solid to use when you talk about the price.

Where and when

We come to the car, wherever it is parked: a dealer, a driveway, a car park. Give us the car and its location, and we fix a time that suits you and the seller.

What a pre-purchase inspection covers

  • Bodywork, and signs that a panel has been repaired or repainted
  • Underneath: rust, leaks and worn parts we can see
  • The engine bay: fluids, belts and anything that looks wrong
  • Tyres and brakes
  • Electrics and any warning lights
  • Whether the car starts, idles and drives the way it should
Hatchback with the bonnet open and engine parts laid out in front of it, repaired where it was parked
Under the bonnet, where the car is parked
Springs, shocks and what sits behind the wheels
A torch and time: the things a short viewing skips

Cars imported from the UK

An imported car can be perfectly good, and it can also hide a history that is hard to see. We tell you what we can see on the car itself. Ask the seller for the paperwork, and keep it with the inspection notes.

What you get

A list, item by item: fine, watch it, or walk away. Anything that needs work comes with an idea of what the work involves. An inspection is an opinion based on what can be seen and tested on the day, not a guarantee.

Common questions

Can you inspect a car at a dealer?

Yes. We come to the car wherever it is, and we fix a time with you and the seller.

What if you find a problem?

You get the list and an idea of what each item involves. Walking away is a good result too.

Does it cover paperwork?

No. We check the car. Paperwork and tax are for you and the seller.