Inspection Process
Pre-Purchase Inspection Guide For Luxury Cars
For acquisitions over $250,000, we typically order a third-party pre-purchase inspection at our cost before final closing. Here is what the inspection covers, what the report looks like, and how condition discrepancies (if any) are handled.
When we order an inspection
Three triggers:
- Purchase price over $250,000. The dollar value justifies the inspection cost and the risk-management value.
- Modified or restored cars. Cars with documented modifications, restoration work, or accident history get an inspection regardless of value.
- Seller request. If you would like an inspection on a sub-$250K car for your own confidence, we will order one at our cost.
Who performs the inspection
We use a national network of independent third-party inspectors who specialize in luxury and exotic cars. Common partners:
- Lemon Squad - national coverage, marque-specialist inspectors when available
- WeGoLook - photographic and walk-around inspections, also nationally available
- Marque specialists - for halo cars, we engage specialists who only inspect Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Bugatti, etc. These are typically retired factory technicians or independent restorers.
- Manufacturer dealerships - for current-model cars, the franchise dealer performs a "buy fit" inspection at our cost
We do not use sellers' personally-recommended inspectors. The inspection must be from an independent third party with no relationship to the seller.
What the inspection covers
A standard inspection includes 40 to 60 line items across these categories:
- Documentation review - title match, VIN match, service history review, recall status, accident history review
- Cosmetic exterior - paint thickness measurements (with electronic gauge), panel-gap measurements, evidence of bodywork or repaint, chips, dents, scratches, glass condition
- Interior - seat wear, dashboard cracks or sun damage, electronics function (radio, navigation, climate, windows, locks, seats), interior trim originality
- Mechanical inspection - cold start observation, idle quality, throttle response, transmission shifts, brake function, steering, suspension
- Underside inspection - frame inspection (for impact damage), exhaust system, fluid leaks, undercarriage corrosion, structural rust
- Test drive - acceleration, braking, handling, abnormal noises, dashboard warning lights, gear-change quality
- Diagnostic scan - manufacturer-tool scan for stored fault codes (essential for modern cars)
- Photographs - documented with timestamped images of every line item
What the seller sees
The full inspection report is shared with the seller within 48 hours of the inspection. If the report confirms the car as represented, the closing proceeds as planned at the agreed offer amount.
If the report shows discrepancies, we present an adjusted offer with line-item documentation. You can:
- Accept the adjusted offer and proceed to closing
- Counter the adjusted offer (with your reasoning)
- Decline and walk away from the transaction at no cost to you
We do not "discover" issues at pickup that the inspection should have found. The inspection is the verification step. The offer that follows is firm.
Timeline impact
Inspections add 5 to 10 business days to the timeline. We schedule inspections within 2 to 3 days of signed agreement, the inspector takes 1 day on-site, the report is delivered within 48 hours, and the adjusted offer (if applicable) is sent within 1 business day after that.
Total: 8 to 12 business days from signature to wire, vs. 7 to 10 days without inspection.
Cost
Inspections are at our cost. Standard inspection: $400 to $800. Marque-specialist inspection on a halo car: $800 to $1,500. Manufacturer dealership buy-fit: $1,500 to $2,500. You pay nothing.
Submit your car. If a pre-purchase inspection is appropriate, we will schedule it as part of the closing process.