Classic & Collector Car Pre-Purchase Inspection
Independent classic-car pre-purchase inspection: rust survey, originality verification, matching-numbers check, drivetrain, electrical. 70+ photos, report in 24 hours.
Specialty · Classic & Collector Cars
A clean classic on Bring-A-Trailer can hide bondo on the rockers, a swapped-engine VIN mismatch, and a wiring harness no one has touched since the Carter administration. Buy from photos at your own risk.
Why a classic inspection is different
Classic-car value lives in originality, rust state, and documentation — none of which a modern OBD-II scanner can read. Our classic inspectors come from restoration shops and concours circuits. They know which years matter, which trim packages were never sold the way the seller is describing, and where rust hides on each platform.
Scope note: We do not perform restoration estimates or appraisals. The report documents condition; valuation is for an appraiser, and restoration cost is for a marque shop.
Photo-documented PDF + web view, delivered within 24 hours of the on-site visit.
What we inspect
Every classic inspection covers the items below. Add-ons (e.g. paint-thickness mapping, generator load test) available on request.
- VIN: stamped pad + body tag + trim tag cross-reference
- Matching-numbers verification (engine, transmission, rear-end where applicable)
- Body: rust survey on rockers, frame rails, floor pans, trunk pan, lower fenders
- Paint: thickness mapping, color-match check, prior-repair documentation
- Glass: date codes, original-vs-replacement assessment
- Trim, badges, emblems: originality + correct-year verification
- Interior: upholstery condition, dashboard cracks, gauge function
- Engine bay: correct components for year, fastener-set evidence
- Cooling system: radiator, hoses, water-pump condition, fan
- Fuel system: lines, tank condition, carb/injection integrity
- Electrical: wiring harness state, lights, gauges, accessories
- Drivetrain: clutch (manual), transmission, differential, drive shafts
- Brakes: master cylinder, lines (drum or disc as applicable), pad/shoe state
- Suspension: bushings, springs, shocks, alignment indicators
- Tires: DOT age, tread, sidewall condition (often the most-overlooked item)
- Documentation: title, prior-owner log, service records, receipts review
- Road test where mechanically safe and seller-authorized
- 70+ photos including macro on rust-hot-spots
When buyers book this
- Auction-listed classic (Bring-A-Trailer, Hagerty, Mecum) before bidding
- Private-party muscle car, European classic, or vintage truck purchase
- Out-of-state pickup where shipping cost makes a buy-back impractical
Frequently asked
Will you authenticate that this is a real, factory-original car?
We verify VIN, trim tag, and matching numbers against documented factory references where they exist. We document originality of components. We do NOT issue authentication certificates — that is a marque-specific judges’ / appraisers’ role.
How do you check for rust under undercoating or paint?
Visual + magnetic + paint-thickness readings on body panels. Where undercoating obscures the read, we flag the location and recommend a body-shop probe before close. We do not drill or scrape factory finish.
Can you provide a value or appraisal?
No — we are inspectors, not appraisers. Our report documents condition; for a written value, retain an Hagerty / Heacock / state-licensed classic-car appraiser separately.
How long does a classic inspection take?
Three to four hours on-site (matching-numbers verification + rust survey are time-intensive). Report PDF within 24 hours.
Other specialty inspections
All specialty types →
Ready for a classic inspection?
Tell us about the vehicle and the seller's location. We dispatch a credentialed inspector and email you a detailed photo-documented report.
Ready for a clear answer on the vehicle?
Book a certified pre-purchase inspection. Photo-documented report within 24 hours. Card authorized, not charged, until an inspector accepts.