Vehicle Inspection FAQs

A pre-purchase inspection is a professional, on-site evaluation of a vehicle before you commit to buying it. Your inspector documents cosmetic, structural, and basic mechanical condition so you know what you are actually buying, not just what the ad says.

We capture detailed photos, look for previous repairs or red flags, and give you a clear report you can use to negotiate confidently or walk away.

First, you book online with the vehicle details, seller contact, and location. Second, we assign a local inspector and coordinate directly with the seller to schedule the visit.

After the inspection, we upload your photo-rich digital report and email you a secure link. You can then review on your own or schedule a call to walk through the findings.

We ask for the vehicle year, make, model, VIN if available, listing link, exact location, and seller contact details, along with your name, email, and phone.

This lets us confirm coverage, assign the right inspector, and avoid delays or missed calls with the seller.

Once you share the seller’s contact information, our team or the assigned inspector coordinates directly with the seller to schedule the inspection. You are copied on key updates so you always know where things stand.

In typical cases you will receive your report within 24–48 hours after the seller confirms access to the vehicle. Some rural or high-demand markets may require a bit more time, but we keep you updated until your report is delivered.

Yes. Many buyers request a short call to walk through key findings, ask questions, and decide whether to proceed, renegotiate, or walk away. We highly recommend it, especially on higher-value or sight-unseen purchases.

Yes. We operate across the United States with a nationwide inspector network. In some remote areas we may need extra time or a modest travel fee, but we will always confirm coverage and pricing before you are charged.

We inspect most cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, exotics, classic cars, RVs, and light commercial vehicles. If you are unsure, send us the year, make, model, and location and we will confirm coverage before you book.

Yes. Many inspectors have experience with aftermarket builds, lifted trucks, and performance cars. We do not dyno or tune vehicles, but we document visible modifications, workmanship quality, and safety concerns.

When a safe lift is available, some inspectors may use it by agreement with the seller. Most field inspections are done at ground level with undercarriage photos captured from ramps or accessible angles. We do not require sellers to provide a lift.

If a seller will not allow a reasonable inspection, that alone is a critical piece of information. In most cases we recommend walking away. If they cancel after you have booked, contact us so we can discuss options or a possible transfer to another vehicle.

Yes. Inspections usually happen where the vehicle lives: a dealer lot, private driveway, or storage facility. Your inspector remains professional, neutral, and focused on you regardless of who is present.

A standard inspection covers exterior and paint, body panels, visible frame and rust, glass and trim, interior, engine bay, visible leaks, lights, electronics, wheels, and tires. When the seller allows it, a short road test is also performed.

You receive a structured written summary and dozens of photos highlighting both strengths and concerns.

Inspectors prioritize major systems and high-impact features. No inspection can reasonably test every button, menu, or infotainment option.

If a specific feature is crucial for you (for example a tow package, third-row seating, or adaptive cruise), tell us at booking so we can highlight it during the visit.

We don’t sell Carfax or title reports ourselves, but we strongly recommend using one in addition to our on-site inspection. Our inspectors look for evidence of previous paintwork, repairs, or frame concerns that may not appear on a history report.

No inspection can guarantee future performance. We give you a point-in-time snapshot based on what is visible and accessible on the day of the visit, so you can avoid obvious problem vehicles and budget realistically.

We do not sell repairs, warranties, or financing. Vehicle Inspectors focuses solely on inspections so our recommendations stay independent and conflict-free.

We do not provide formal appraisals. Our job is to document the condition so you can compare to market values and negotiate using facts. Most clients either save more than the cost of the inspection or avoid a bad purchase entirely.

Pricing is based on vehicle type, inspection level, and location. Standard passenger vehicles start at a flat fee, while exotics, heavy-duty, or RV units may be higher due to time and expertise required.

You see your exact price during booking before you confirm payment.

Payment is collected at the time of booking so we can immediately assign an inspector and begin scheduling with the seller. This keeps the process fast and reduces the risk of losing the vehicle to another buyer.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, contact us as early as possible. In many cases, if the inspector has not yet traveled or started the inspection, we can reschedule or provide a partial refund.

Once an inspector is on-site, fees are typically non-refundable because their time and travel have already been committed to your vehicle.

We take privacy seriously. Your personal and payment details are kept secure, and reports are shared only with you and any parties you authorize (for example a lender, family member, or mechanic).

Yes. Many buyers are cross-shopping several vehicles at once. We can schedule multiple inspections in the same area and provide reports you can compare side by side. For dealers or fleet operators we can discuss ongoing or volume pricing.

Light rain usually does not stop an inspection, but severe weather, snow, or unsafe conditions may require rescheduling. Your inspector will communicate with the seller and we will keep you informed if any part of the inspection must be adjusted.

Our loyalty is simple: we work for you, the person who orders and pays for the inspection. We do not accept dealer commissions, lead fees, or kickbacks. That independence is the reason buyers trust Vehicle Inspectors with high-stakes decisions.