Pre-Purchase Car Inspection: What Do We Check?

You've found a car you really like. The seller assures you everything is fine, the engine runs smoothly, the interior looks well looked after, and you're already imagining yourself behind the wheel. Sound familiar? But this is exactly when you could make your biggest mistake: trusting what you can see without checking what's hiding underneath. I always say the same thing: before you hand over your money, take the car to a workshop. Not because every seller is lying to you, but because even they might not know what's wrong with the car. Let me explain how a pre-purchase car inspection works at our workshop, what we look for and why it could save you a lot of trouble.

How does the inspection work at our workshop?

First, there's something important I want you to understand. A pre-purchase inspection isn't just opening the bonnet, starting the engine, listening for rattles and saying, "Yeah, looks fine." If it were that easy, nobody would need a proper workshop. Modern cars have lots of systems that need checking, and some problems simply aren't visible to the naked eye. That's why we take the car through several steps, one by one.

1. You book an appointment in advance. I want us to have enough time to give the car the attention it deserves, not squeeze in a quick look between two other jobs. You're about to make a big purchase, and I want you to think it through properly, without rushing.
2. We carry out a detailed inspection of the whole car, including the chassis. We lift it up and check what's going on underneath, because that's often where you'll find things you would never notice from the outside. If you're curious, I've explained what we look for underneath a car during a pre-purchase inspectionin more detail.
3. We check the main mechanical components and the interior. We're not just interested in whether the engine runs or the seats are clean. We want to understand the overall condition of the car. After all, you're buying the whole thing, not just a nice steering wheel and a shiny bonnet.
4. We run diagnostics using genuine VW AG diagnostic equipment. This is where we start talking to the car's electronics. We check the electronic control units and any stored fault codes, because not every problem switches on a warning light on the dashboard. The car might look perfectly normal, while its electronics tell a completely different story.
5. We document any faults and problems we find. And there's something I feel very strongly about here: we share the results with both the buyer and the seller. No secrets, no quiet conversations behind anyone's back. Both sides deserve to know exactly what the inspection has revealed.
6. We talk everything through with you if you need us to. You can ask whatever questions you have, and we'll discuss what we've found. My job isn't to decide whether you should buy the car. My job is to help you make that decision with a clear understanding of what you're getting.

What do I get after a pre-purchase car inspection?

The most important thing you get is a clear picture of the car's condition. Not a promise from the seller, not a friend's opinion and not a guess based on photographs. You get information from a proper inspection, where we've checked the car and documented the problems we've found. That doesn't mean we can predict every fault that might develop in the future. But it does mean you won't be making your decision based purely on how the car looks and what the seller tells you.

If you decide to buy the car, you can ask us for a repair quotation based on the inspection report once the purchase is complete. We'll prepare it and email it to you, so you know what needs doing. That way, you've got something concrete to work with instead of buying the car, driving from workshop to workshop and wondering where on earth to start. And once you know what needs attention, it's much easier to plan your next steps without the stress.

Why isn't bringing a mechanic friend enough?

I hear this all the time: "I've got a mate who knows cars. He'll come along and have a look." Great! There's absolutely nothing wrong with having someone you trust by your side. But! A modern car isn't just an engine, a gearbox and four wheels. It's full of electronic control units that manage different systems. To check those properly, you need the right diagnostic equipment and experience with that particular model. Looking around the car and taking it for a quick spin around the block simply won't tell you everything.

And there's something that worries me far more than the possibility of expensive repairs: your safety. Some hidden faults can directly affect how safe the car you're buying actually is. And when your safety is at stake, I don't want you relying on luck. I've written a separate article about the dangers of ignoring safety when buying a used car. Please read it, because this really isn't something you should take lightly.

I'm not saying your friend doesn't know anything about cars. I'm saying there's a difference between someone who knows their way around a car and a thorough inspection using the right diagnostic equipment, backed by experience with that specific model. They're not the same thing. And if I had to choose between a good impression and a proper inspection, I'd choose the inspection every single time. Because once you've bought the car, those problems become yours.

What do the figures from our workshop tell us?

Around 80% of the cars we inspect before purchase later come back to us for servicing and maintenance. That's an important figure for me, because our relationship with a customer often begins before they've even bought their car. First, we inspect it, explain what we've found and leave them to make their own decision. And when they later trust us to look after the car as well, I know we've done our job properly.

Tip from Kris Mladenov: Book your inspection before you pay a deposit. Don't feel awkward about asking the seller to bring the car to a workshop. It's a perfectly normal part of buying a car sensibly. To me, a pre-purchase inspection is the cheapest insurance against nasty surprises, because it's always better to discover a problem before the car becomes yours.

I hope you've found this article helpful! If you have, I'd love you to share it with a friend who's looking for a car. I've always believed that if I know something useful, more people should know it too. That's why I write these articles: to help you make better decisions and avoid paying out of your own pocket for mistakes you could have prevented.

The solution in our shop

Genuine Longlife III FE 0W30 oil 5L

Genuine LongLife III engine oil is one option for the first service after buying the car, provided it meets the requirements of that particular engine. Regardless of LongLife, I recommend changing the engine oil and all filters (oil, fuel, air and cabin) every 10,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first.

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Read more

• Pre-purchase inspection
• Used Car Inspection: What to Check Underneath
• Used Car Airbag Safety: The Hidden Risks

Frequently asked questions

What does a pre-purchase car inspection include?

A detailed inspection of the car and chassis, checks of the main mechanical components and interior, diagnostics using genuine VW AG equipment, and a written record of any faults and problems we find.

Do I need to book an appointment in advance?

Yes, you must book an appointment so we can set aside enough time for the car and carry out the inspection properly, without rushing.

Can I get a quotation for the problems found during the inspection?

Yes. Once you've bought the car, you can request a quotation based on the inspection report, and we'll email it to you.

What should I do if the seller refuses to let me take the car to a workshop?

Treat it as a serious warning sign. I wouldn't recommend buying a car if the seller won't let you check its condition.