Independent inspectors in all 50 states
Pre Purchase Car Inspection in All 50 States
All Gold. No Lemons. Guaranteed.
A certified inspector goes to the used car you want to buy, runs a 122 point check and sends you the report the same day. $225 for most cars, pickups and SUVs. Dealer lot, private seller or auction. One call.
What Lands on Your Phone
- Engine, transmission and drive axle
- Brakes, suspension and tires
- Every module scanned for codes
- Photos of each fault found
- Repair costs, so you can bargain
122 points. Same day.
Pre Purchase Inspection
What Is a Pre Purchase Inspection?
A pre purchase inspection, or PPI, is a full check of a used car by an independent mechanic before you pay for it. PPI Auto does it at the car for $225 on most cars, pickups and SUVs, and you get the report the same day.
What the 122 Points Cover
See the full 122 point used car inspection checklist- 01
Engine, Transmission and Drive Axle
Leaks, noises, mounts, fluids and how it shifts.
- 02
Brakes, Suspension and Tires
Pad and rotor wear, tread depth, shocks and ball joints.
- 03
Paint, Body and Glass
Repaint, filler, panel gaps, rust and chips.
- 04
Electrical and Cooling
Battery, charging, lights, radiator, hoses and fans.
- 05
Air Conditioning, Interior and Trunk
Every switch, seat, belt and warning light.
- 06
Scan Tool and Road Test
Every module scanned for codes, then a real drive.
How It Works
You call 951-267-8500.
Tell us the car, the price and where it sits.
We set it up with the seller.
Dealer, private seller or auction. You do not need to be there.
A technician inspects it.
About 90 minutes at the car, 122 points, a scan and a road test.
You get the report.
Photos and repair costs, usually the same day. Then you buy, bargain or walk.
Advanced tests that mean taking parts off the car, like a compression, leak down or combustion leak test, cost extra. We only run them after you say yes.
How a pre purchase inspection worksWhat a pre purchase inspection costsUsed car inspection before you buy
Caught on Real Inspections
What a Clean Car Can Hide
Every photo here is from a PPI Auto job, not a stock library. Plates and dealer names are blurred.
SafetyABS Codes Stored
Four ABS valve codes stored in a 2009 F-150, plus seat belt codes. The scan tool read them at the truck, before any money moved.
WearCracked Tie Rod Boot
A small split boot on the same truck. Once grit gets in, the joint wears out and the steering gets loose.
CostlyOil Soaked Block
Seen from underneath a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo, right beside the steering rack. A leak like this gets priced before you pay.
AnywhereNear Tulsa, Oklahoma
A 2012 Kia Rio on a dealer lot, checked by a network inspector. Report and photos went out the same day.
See real inspections, photo by photo, and a video from the lift
Who Runs PPI Auto
Built by Mechanics, Powered by Shop Desk
Inspections are run by a working repair shop. Every tech we send is ASE certified and licensed with the state. The lead tech is an ASE Master Technician. Reports are written in Shop Desk.
A Working Repair Shop
Our inspections are run by a repair shop that fixes cars every day.
ASE Certified Technicians
Every tech we send is ASE certified and licensed with the state. Our lead tech is an ASE Master Technician.
Written in Shop Desk
Each inspection is a job in Shop Desk, our shop software. Photos, findings and the report live in one record.
Inspections by Vehicle
We Inspect Every Kind of Machine
Whatever you're buying, there's a category built for it.
Pre-Purchase Vehicle Inspection
Our flagship inspection. One certified tech, 122 checkpoints, a live OBD-II scan, and a full history report — so you know what you're buying before you pay.
Start a pre-purchase vehicle inspection
Pickup Truck
From half-ton to dually. Trucks work hard, and a fresh detail hides a lot. We find the wear that matters.
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Diesel Truck
Power Stroke, Cummins, and Duramax. A diesel is a big buy, and a bad one is a very big bill. We know where they hurt.
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Commercial Truck
Class 6–8 semis, box trucks, flatbeds, and fleet vehicles. A bad buy here doesn't just cost money — it stops your business.
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EV & Hybrid
Electric and hybrid vehicles hide their wear in the battery. We read it before you buy.
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RV & Motorhome
Class A, B, and C, travel trailers, and fifth wheels. The chassis is half the story — water damage is the other half.
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Motorcycle & Powersports
Bikes, ATVs, UTVs, and side-by-sides. A dropped bike or a hard-run quad hides its story well. We find it.
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Classic & Collector
Numbers-matching, restoration quality, and originality. With a classic, the story is the value. We confirm it's true.
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Exotic & Luxury
High-dollar performance and luxury. The repair bills match the price tag, so the history has to be clean.
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Heavy Equipment
Excavators, loaders, dozers, and cranes. Bad iron is expensive iron. We make sure it runs before you wire the money.
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Trailer
Utility, enclosed, dump, and gooseneck. A trailer looks simple, but a bad frame or axle is a real safety risk.
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Forklift
Electric, LP, and diesel lifts. A forklift moves your whole operation. We make sure it lifts safe and runs right.
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Agricultural & Tractor
Compact, utility, and row-crop tractors. A tractor is a long-term tool. We make sure it has plenty of work left.
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Boat & Marine
Outboard, inboard, and I/O. A boat hides its problems below the waterline. We check what you can't see at the dock.
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Generator & Power Equipment
Standby, portable, and towable generators. When the power's out is the wrong time to find a problem. We test it first.
ViewThree Steps to Peace of Mind
Straight answers fast, before the dealer closes or the seller ghosts.
Tell Us the Vehicle
The vehicle and where it's located. No booking systems. One call and we're on it.
Certified Eyes On-Site
A PPI Auto inspector goes to the vehicle anywhere in the 50 states. Full inspection, history report, OBD-II scan.
Documented Findings
We walk you through every finding. No seller influence. Buy with confidence, or walk away.
Model-Specific Guides
Know the Trouble Spots First
Free guides on the known issues for popular models, and exactly what we check.
F-150
2011–2020EcoBoost cam phaser rattle, intercooler condensation, and 10R80 shudder.
HondaAccord
2008–2017V6 VCM oil burn, early CVT wear, and AC compressor failures.
ToyotaCamry
2007–20172AZ oil consumption, dash melt, and water-pump weeping.
ChevroletSilverado 1500
2014–2018AFM lifter collapse, brake-line rust, and 8-speed shudder.
SubaruOutback
2013–2018Oil consumption, CVT behavior, and wheel-bearing wear.
JeepWrangler
2007–2017Death wobble, engine ticks, rust, and lift-kit quality.
BMW3-Series
2012–2018N20 timing chain, oil-filter housing leaks, and electronics.
Ram2500
2007.5–2018Emissions clogging, death-wobble track bars, and front-end wear.
FordF-250
2011–2019CP4 fuel-pump failure, turbo, and EGR cooler issues.
TeslaModel 3
2018–2024Battery degradation, screen/MCU, and suspension control arms.
ChevroletImpala
2006–2016Intake gasket leaks, inner rear tire wear, and transmission solenoids.
HondaCivic
2006–2015Cracked engine blocks, AC compressor failures, and airbag recalls.
NissanAltima
2013–2018CVT judder and failure, hood latch recall, and oil use.
FordEscape
2013–2019EcoBoost coolant intrusion, AWD transfer unit wear, and recalls.
ChevroletEquinox
2010–20172.4L oil burning, timing chain stretch, and engine damage from low oil.
ChevroletMalibu
2013–2015Shift-to-park faults, stop/start battery drain, and turbo carbon.
ToyotaTacoma
2005–2015Frame rust, cracked leaf springs, and hard off-road use.
ToyotaCorolla
2009–2018Early oil consumption, steering shaft clunk, and CVT behavior.
ToyotaRAV4
2013–2018Early shift quality, seat belt recall, and underbody corrosion.
HondaCR-V
2012–2016Turbo oil dilution, 2015 idle vibration, and AC compressor wear.
JeepGrand Cherokee
2011–2019Electrical module faults, air suspension failures, and engine ticks.
FordExplorer
2011–2019Exhaust smell in the cabin, internal water pump, and AWD transfer unit.
HyundaiSonata
2011–2019Engine failure and rod knock, oil use, and dual-clutch behavior.
GMCSierra 1500
2014–2018AFM lifter tick, 8-speed shudder, and Denali trim wear.
NissanRogue
2014–2020CVT wear, emergency braking faults, and heavy fleet use.
ChevroletSilverado 1500
2019–2024Check the 6.2L V8 engine recall and NHTSA probe, the diesel 10-speed recall, and 8-speed shudder on early 2019 trucks.
ChevroletEquinox
2018–2024Check the 1.5L turbo for charge air cooler faults, the fuel pump recall on 2021 to 2022, and the transmission recall on 2018 to 2020.
ChevroletMalibu
2016–2024Many are ex-fleet cars. Check the reduced power pedal sensor coverage, the Shift to Park fault, the 2019 on CVT and open recalls.
ChevroletTahoe
2021–2024Check the 6.2L engine recall and NHTSA probes, 5.3L lifter programs, 10-speed lockup recalls, and 2021 fuel pump and driveshaft recalls.
DodgeCharger
2015–2023Check the side curtain air bag recall on 2018 to 2021 cars, the 2015 do not drive air bag recall, cruise control, transmission codes and oil records.
FordEdge
2015–2024A comfortable two-row SUV. On 2015 to 2018, check both brake hose recalls and 2.0L coolant loss. On 2021 to 2022 2.7L, check the valve recall.
FordEscape
2020–2024A roomy compact SUV with a long recall list. Check the 1.5L fuel injector fire recall, the hybrid engine recall and plug-in battery recalls.
FordExplorer
2020–2024Many recalls, led by the 2020 to 2022 rear axle bolt and park system recalls, some still awaiting a fix. Check every one on the VIN.
FordF-150
2021–2024Check the VIN for open recalls: parking brake wiring, 2.7L intake valves, Max Trailer Tow axle bolts and 10-speed software.
FordMustang
2015–2023Check the oil cooler hose, 10-speed and manual shift bulletins, 2022 to 2023 steering recall, seat belt cables and camera recalls.
GMCSierra 1500
2019–2024Check the 6.2L V8 engine recall and NHTSA probe, the diesel 10-speed recall, and 8-speed shudder on early 2019 trucks.
HondaAccord
2018–2022Check the 1.5T and Hybrid head gasket warranty, sudden braking complaints, fuel pump and air bag sensor recalls, and A/C condenser coverage.
HondaCivic
2016–2024Two generations. Check 1.5L turbo oil dilution on 2016 to 2018 cars, the A/C condenser coverage, sticky steering on 2022 on, and open recalls.
HondaCR-V
2017–2024Check 2017 to 2018 1.5L turbo oil dilution work, the 2017 to 2022 braking investigation, and the fuel pump and steering recalls.
HondaOdyssey
2018–2024Check the 2018 to 2019 engine bearing and Park recalls, the fuel injector warranty, sliding door and camera recalls, and the 2023 to 2024 steering recall.
HondaPilot
2016–2022Check the V6 rod bearing recall and engine probe, fuel injector and idle stop coverage, the 9-speed warmer, and the rear subframe rust recall.
HyundaiElantra
2021–2024Check the no-immobilizer theft fix, seat belt pretensioner recall, Elantra N and Hybrid recalls, and the 2023 oil pump fire recall.
HyundaiTucson
2016–2024On a 2016 to 2021, confirm the engine software update and warranty. On any year, check the ABS fire, oil pump and tow hitch recalls.
JeepGrand Cherokee
2020–2024Two different Jeeps share this name. Check open recalls on suspension, springs and air bags, and on a 4xe, the battery fire recall.
JeepWrangler
2018–2024Check the steering damper and shimmy fix, frame weld and clutch recalls, and the 4xe battery fire, engine and power loss recalls.
KiaSorento
2021–2024Check the turbo dual clutch recall, fuel and wiring fire recalls, hybrid seat belt recalls, and Kia's anti-theft fix on key start 2021 and 2022 models.
MazdaCX-5
2017–2024Check 2018 and 2019 head oil leaks, 2.5 turbo coolant and oil use programs, the stall and fuel pump recalls, and the P0126 thermostat program.
NissanAltima
2019–2024Every one has a CVT. Check the VC-Turbo engine bearing recall on 2019 and 2020 cars, emergency braking behavior and a long list of early recalls.
NissanRogue
2021–2024The 2022 to 2024 1.5L VC-Turbo has engine recalls and a 10 year, 120,000 mile engine warranty. Check recall work and the CVT.
RAM1500
2019–2024Make sure it is not a 1500 Classic, then check the ABS software, tailgate, air bag and EcoDiesel fuel pump recalls.
SubaruForester
2019–2024Check the 2019 PCV valve recall, windshield crack coverage, the thermo control valve and screen warranty extensions, and the 2023 to 2024 driveshaft recall.
SubaruOutback
2020–2024Check the 2020 to 2021 CVT chain recalls, windshield crack coverage, the thermo control valve and screen warranty extensions, and the air bag sensor.
Toyota4Runner
2014–2024Check the Takata air bag and fuel pump recalls, front and rear differential noise, distributor accessory recalls and the 2014 to 2015 paint program.
ToyotaCamry
2018–2024Check the 2018 build recalls, the brake vacuum pump and fuel pump fixes, and how the 8-speed shifts. Hybrids from 2020 carry a longer battery warranty.
ToyotaCorolla
2019–2024A 2019 Corolla sedan is the older model. Check the hatchback CVT recall, the coolant valve program and the 2023 and 2024 steering shaft recall.
ToyotaHighlander
2020–2024A popular three-row family SUV. Check the V6 or turbo change in 2023, and open recalls on air bag sensors, second-row seats and the bumper.
ToyotaPrius
2016–2022Check the 2016 to 2018 wire harness fire recall, drive power and brake booster recalls, coolant leaks, cracked windshields and battery coverage.
ToyotaRAV4
2019–2024Check 2019 to 2020 engine block and control arm recalls, the Hybrid fuel tank program, and the Prime DC-DC converter recall.
ToyotaTacoma
2016–2023Check the 6-speed automatic's shift update on early trucks, the 2016 to 2017 rear differential and the 2022 to 2023 axle nut recalls.
We Travel to the Vehicle
PPI Auto reaches every major city and metro area in the continental U.S. and every state in between.
Buyer Tips & Guides
How Much Should 4 Brake Pads Cost?
About $150 to $350 for one axle of pads, and $300 to $700 for all four wheels. Here is how a used car buyer reads the pad and rotor numbers and turns them into money off the price.
Read moreCan You Go 2 Years Without Changing Oil?
No. Most carmakers want fresh oil at least once a year, even on a car that sits. Here is what two years of old oil does to an engine, and how we catch it.
Read moreWhat an RV Pre-Purchase Inspection Costs in America
Most RV pre-purchase inspections in the U.S. run $300 to $1,500. Here's what moves the price, and why it's cheap next to the repairs it finds.
Read moreAnswers Before You Call
How much does a pre purchase inspection cost?
What does a used car pre purchase inspection check?
Can you inspect a vehicle in another state?
Do you check for smog readiness and cleared codes?
What's in the vehicle history report?
Do you inspect commercial trucks and heavy equipment?
How do I book?
What is a PPI in cars?
Found a vehicle? Let's check it first.
One call covers any vehicle, anywhere in the country.