Detailed independent inspection before you buy — mechanical, bodywork and history reviewed by a qualified mechanic.
What a pre-purchase inspection covers
A mechanic goes over the car before you buy it: bodywork and panel gaps for accident repair, underside and structure for corrosion, brakes, tyres, suspension, steering, fluids, battery and charging, a diagnostic scan for stored and pending fault codes, and a road test for noises, vibration, clutch and gearbox behaviour.
The output is a written report telling you what is wrong, what it will cost to put right, and whether you should buy the car at all — not a tick sheet that leaves you to interpret it.
Why it pays for itself
A clutch is four figures on many cars. A DPF, a timing chain, a turbo or a set of injectors will all cost more than an inspection by a wide margin. Finding one of those before you hand over the money is the whole value proposition.
Even when the car is sound, the report gives you a costed list of what is due soon, which is a far stronger negotiating position than an opinion about the paintwork.
Inspection versus history check
They answer different questions. A history check tells you what is recorded against the registration — finance, write-off, mileage, MOT record. An inspection tells you the physical condition of the car in front of you today.
On an expensive private purchase, do both. The £19.99 full vehicle check covers the paperwork side; the inspection covers the metal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an inspection take?
Usually one to two hours depending on the vehicle, including a diagnostic scan and a road test.
Is an inspection better than a history check?
They cover different risks. The history check shows finance, write-off and mileage records; the inspection shows the car's actual condition.
Will the report tell me what repairs cost?
Yes. Faults are listed with realistic UK repair costs so you can decide whether to buy, negotiate or walk.