What a Mobile Pre-Purchase Inspection Covers

Buying a used car often happens on a tight schedule, in an unfamiliar parking lot, with limited information about how the vehicle was maintained. A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) gives you an experienced mechanic's read on the car before cash changes hands.

What We Look At

Every vehicle gets the same methodical checklist, so the report is consistent and complete. A thorough PPI covers:

• Structural integrity: Frame condition, undercarriage rust, and signs of previous impact damage.
• Under the hood: Fluid condition, battery health, charging system output, and belt condition.
• Wear items: Brake pad thickness measured, rotor condition, and tire tread depth.
• Electronics: A full OBD-II scan for current, pending, and recently cleared codes.
• Road test: With the seller's permission, and when the vehicle is safe to drive, a short test drive to evaluate transmission shifts and suspension response.

What a History Report Does and Does Not Show

A vehicle history report is a useful starting point, and it reflects what was reported to insurers and repair networks. It will not show flood damage that was never claimed, previous repairs done outside a shop, or an oil leak that only appears after the engine reaches full temperature. A physical inspection covers that ground.

Where the Inspection Happens

The seller does not need to leave the car at a shop for the day. Road Wrencher meets you at the seller's home, a dealership lot, or a public meeting spot anywhere in our DeKalb County service radius, including Ellenwood, Decatur, and Stone Mountain.

Using the Findings

The write-up is detailed documentation prepared for you. Use it to negotiate the asking price, budget accurately for the repairs the car will need after the sale, or decide to keep looking.