Pre-Purchase Car Inspection in Missoula, MT
The cheapest repair is the one you knew about before you bought the car. An inspection turns a used vehicle from a gamble into a decision you can actually think through.
We look at it the way we'd look at a vehicle we were buying ourselves, and we tell you plainly what we find. If we'd walk away from it, we'll say so.
When an inspection is worth it
- Buying from a private seller with little or no service history.
- A dealer vehicle you want a second set of eyes on.
- A vehicle that spent its life somewhere they salt the roads.
- High mileage, or a long gap in the maintenance records.
- A truck that's been used for towing, plowing, or off road driving.
- A classic or modified vehicle, where problems are harder to spot.
- A price that seems a little too good.
What we check
We put it on the lift and go through the things that cost real money later: frame and underbody rust, leaks, brakes, suspension, steering, tires, belts, hoses, and fluid condition.
We scan the computer for stored and pending codes and check the readiness monitors. Codes that were recently cleared can hide a problem, and the scan often tells a different story than the listing does.
We road test it to see how the engine runs, how the transmission shifts, how it brakes, and whether it tracks straight. We listen for noises the seller may have gotten used to.
On older, classic, or modified vehicles, we look closely at past repairs and modifications. That is an area we know well from our own fabrication and hot rod work.
What matters most in the results
Deal breakers or big costs
- Frame rust or rot
- Signs of flood damage or major accident repair
- Transmission slipping or harsh shifting
- Engine noises, heavy smoke, or coolant in the oil
- Brake or steering problems that affect safety
Bargaining points
- Worn brakes or tires you can price into the deal
- Routine maintenance that is overdue
- Small oil seeps and cosmetic issues
The point is to know before you buy. Some findings are deal breakers, and some are just good bargaining points.
Inspections in Missoula
We inspect cars, trucks, and SUVs, foreign and domestic, along with older and classic vehicles. If you're buying from a private seller, ask whether they'll bring the vehicle to us. A seller who won't allow an inspection is telling you something too.
Montana winters are hard on what you can't see from the driveway. Road sand and deicers work their way into frames, brake lines, fuel lines, and exhaust parts, and a truck that looks clean on top can be a very different story underneath. That's a big part of why we put every inspection on the lift.
Bring any service records the seller gave you. They help us tell routine wear apart from a problem that has been coming back.
Pre-Purchase Inspections questions
What does a pre-purchase inspection include?
A lift inspection of the frame, underbody, brakes, suspension, steering, tires, and fluids, a computer scan, and a road test. You get a clear rundown of what the vehicle needs now and what it will likely need down the road.
How long does a pre-purchase inspection take?
Call us to set a time and we'll let you know how long to plan for.
Can you inspect a car I'm buying from a private seller?
Yes. The seller just needs to bring the vehicle to the shop. Call ahead so we can find a time that works for everyone.
Will you tell me not to buy it?
If we would walk away from it, we'll tell you that, and why. It's your decision, but you'll make it with the full picture.
We show you before we fix it
Before any work starts, we walk you into the shop and show you what we found. If something can wait, we'll tell you.