How it works
Find the car, book the inspection, get the report.
Find the car and book. We do the rest.
- 01
Find the car
At a dealership or a private seller, anywhere in York Region and the GTA.
- 02
Book the inspection
Online or by phone. Tell us where the car is and when it can be seen. Most inspections happen within 12 to 24 hours of booking.
- 03
Get the report
You receive the Buyer Report within 45 minutes of the inspection finishing. Call William and he'll go through it with you before you decide.
What gets checked, and where.
Drag the car around, or tap a pin to see the list for that part.
- Fluid levels and condition
- Hoses and belts
- Radiator and fins
- Air filter
- Oil leaks
- Engine noise, cold and warm
- Load test, with the printout attached
- Voltage before, during and after start
- Terminals and hold-down
- Headlights, high and low
- Turn signals
- Fog and daytime lights
- Lens condition
- Bumper damage and alignment
- Stone chips
- Paint depth on the hood
- Panel gaps
- VIN plate matched to the ownership
- Cracks and stone chips
- Wiper blades
- Washer fluid and jets
- The socket every car has had since 1996, below the steering wheel, that the scanner plugs into
- Stored and pending fault codes
- Readiness monitors
- Scan report attached
- Every module, on the Premium package
- Warning lights
- Instrument gauges
- Air conditioning, vent temperature measured
- Heater and blend doors
- Stereo and speakers
- Two working keys
- Upholstery and trim
- Power seats
- Carpet and mats
- Headliner and sunroof
- Seatbelts
- Interior lighting
- Power windows and switches
- Door locks
- Mirrors
- Window glass and seals
- Gauge reading on each panel
- Resprays and filler
- Panel gaps
- Signs of previous repair
- Tie rods, inner and outer
- Ball joints
- Control arms and bushings
- Wheel bearings
- CV shafts and boots
- Struts and springs
- Pad thickness, measured
- Rotor condition
- Calipers and lines
- Brake fluid
- Tread depth on all four, measured
- Uneven wear
- Tire age
- Balance and vibration
- Curb rash and damage
- Shocks and springs
- Ride height
- Rear pads and rotors, measured
- Parking brake
- Frame and subframe rust
- Structural damage
- Leaks from above
- Fuel and brake lines
- Leaks
- Hangers and heat shields
- Catalytic converter present
- Trunk lid and tailgate operation
- Spare tire and jack
- Owner's manual
- Water ingress
- Brake, tail and reverse lights
- Bumper damage
- Paint depth on the quarter panels
- Engine performance under load
- Transmission shifting
- Braking, straight and firm
- Steering and tracking
- Suspension noise
- Road noise and vibration
What happens at the car.
William arrives at the address you gave us and starts outside: paint depth on every panel, panel gaps, glass, lights and tires. Then the underhood and the fluids. Then underneath, on a creeper, for rust and leaks. Then the interior and its electronics, and the OBD scan for stored and pending codes.
If the seller allows it and the car is insured, he road-tests it: shifting, braking, steering and any noise that shouldn't be there. Everything he finds is photographed on the car.
The Buyer Report follows, with the condition rating at the top and the repair priorities at the end. Call him to go through it before you decide.
Commonly asked questions.
Is this a safety certificate?
No. A safety standards certificate confirms that the vehicle met the minimum safety standards on the date it was issued, and it's what lets the car be plated. A pre-purchase inspection covers the whole car: what's worn, what's been repaired, what the computer has logged, and what condition every system is in. Most buyers want both.
Do I need to be there?
No. If the inspection is paid in advance, William goes on his own. You're welcome to come along, and it can be helpful, because he'll show you what he's finding as he works. Either way you get the report and a call to go through it.
How soon can you come, and when do I get the report?
Most inspections happen within 12 to 24 hours of booking, depending on the schedule; same-day is $50 extra. You receive the Buyer Report within 45 minutes of the inspection finishing, pending payment.
What does the seller need to have ready?
The vehicle ownership and a working key. William checks the VIN on the ownership against the VIN on the car before he starts, so the inspection requires it. He'll also ask whether there are two working keys. Mention both to the seller when you agree on a time.
Where do you inspect the car?
We run mobile vehicle inspections across York Region and the GTA, with no travel charge. Dealership lots, private driveways and parking garages all work. Outside the GTA, travel is $25 to $75 depending on the destination.
What vehicles do you inspect?
Passenger cars, SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks, including hybrids and EVs. If you're looking at something else, call and ask.
How do I get a used car inspected before I buy it?
Find the car, agree with the seller on a time it can be seen, and book with us. William drives out, inspects it, and sends you the Buyer Report. Most sellers, private or dealer, are used to a buyer bringing a mechanic.
What if the car sells before you get there, or I need to cancel?
Give us at least two hours' notice and we'll refund your deposit by e-transfer, or move the booking to the next car you find. If you cancel with less notice, or William arrives and the car isn't there or isn't ready, we keep the deposit as a credit toward your next inspection.
Will the seller get a copy of the report?
No, unless you choose to share it. The report is yours, and you decide what to show the seller and what to use in the negotiation.
Does the road test need anything from the seller?
The car has to be plated and insured to go on the road. If it isn't, or the seller won't allow a road test, we do everything else and say so in the report.
Can I talk to William after I get the report?
Yes. Call the number on the report and he'll go through it with you before you decide.
How do I pay?
We take a deposit of half the price, up to $100, when you book. We email you a payment request for it, and your booking is confirmed once it's paid. You pay the balance by e-transfer, PayPal or cash before you receive the report. If you won't be at the inspection, we ask for the full amount in advance. We don't take cheques, and you get an invoice for every inspection.
Does the inspection guarantee the car?
No. The report describes the car's condition at the time and place of the inspection, based on what could be seen and tested without taking anything apart. It is a record of the car on the day, not a promise about the year ahead, so you go into the purchase knowing what you're buying.
Do you do repairs?
Light mechanical work at your driveway: brakes, batteries, wipers and similar, priced per job. Ask when you book, or once you've read the report. The report says what the car needs whether or not you have us do it.
Found a car? Have it inspected before you buy it.
Tell us where the car is and when it can be seen. You'll have the report the same day it's inspected.