Independent inspections
Pre-purchase inspection reports for private-owner and auction vehicles
A pre-purchase inspection is an independent mechanical and cosmetic assessment carried out before money changes hands. Autoquiry inspectors work a 28-point checklist across 7 categories, photograph what they find, and publish the result as a report — whether you are meeting a Private Owner with a chequebook or bidding on a lot you have never seen.
Two ways to buy, two kinds of report
Same independent inspector and the same checklist either way. What changes is where the car is, how much access you get, and how fast you need the answer.
Private Owner vehicle
Buying a used car from a Private Owner? Get it inspected first.
The car is sold on the seller's description of it, and you usually get a short drive around the block. We put it on a lift, drive it properly, and publish what we find — so you either walk away or negotiate with photographed evidence.
- The car is inspected where it is parked — seller's driveway, shop or our partner bay
- You decide the depth: Basic summary or Full report with every answer and photo
- The report is searchable by VIN, so a buyer or a mechanic can check the same car
- Selling instead? Offer your car for inspection and let the findings answer buyer doubts
Basic Report $49 · Full Report $199
Auction vehicle
Is this car worth bidding on — and how much should I bid?
Auction cars are sold as-is, on a lot you may never see, with minutes to decide. Our inspector goes to the yard, checks the car against the same independent checklist, and tells you whether to bid and how high.
- Inspected on site at the auction yard, on the lot and the VIN you send us
- Condensed Report screens the car fast; Full Inspection adds structure, scan, measurements and video
- You get a bid / bid-with-caution / pass verdict and a recommended maximum bid
- Low-friction checkout — pay by card, we create your account and email your login link
Condensed Report $99 · Full Inspection $299
Why a pre-purchase inspection is worth doing
A used car is sold on the seller's description of it. A pre-purchase inspection replaces that description with an independent record: what the paint, frame, suspension, brakes, engine and diagnostics actually look like on the day someone qualified put the car on a lift and drove it.
That record does two things. It tells you whether to walk away from a car with structural repair or a failing drivetrain, and it gives you specific, photographed findings to negotiate with when the car is worth buying but needs work.
At an auction the same record does one more thing: it puts a number on the decision. Bidding happens in seconds against cars sold as-is, so an estimated repair range and a recommended maximum bid are the difference between a bargain and an expensive lesson.
Autoquiry is not the seller, not the dealer and not the auction house. The inspector is assigned by us, works a fixed checklist, and the report is locked on submission — nobody edits it afterwards.
What the inspection covers
7 categories, 28 inspected points — the same checklist on a Private Owner's driveway and on an auction lot.
Exterior & Body
- Paint condition and finish
- Panel gaps and alignment
- Glass, lights, and mirrors
- Rust or corrosion
Interior & Electronics
- Seats and upholstery
- Dashboard warning lights
- Infotainment and controls
- Climate control (heat and A/C)
Under the Hood
- Engine start and idle quality
- Fluid levels and condition
- Leaks (oil, coolant, fuel)
- Belts, hoses, and battery
Undercarriage & Suspension
- Frame and structural integrity
- Suspension components
- Exhaust system
- Steering and drivetrain
Brakes & Tires
- Brake pad and rotor life
- Tire tread depth and wear pattern
- Wheels and rims
- Spare tire and tools
Road Test
- Acceleration and shifting
- Braking performance
- Steering, tracking, and alignment
- Noise, vibration, and harshness
Diagnostics & History
- OBD-II scan results
- Service records reviewed
- Recall check
- Odometer verification
Get a car inspected
Buying from a Private Owner
Found a car you want but need it checked first? Send us the VIN and where it is, and we will arrange the inspection.
Buying at an auction
Tell us the auction, yard, lot and VIN. We dispatch an inspector to the lot and get a bid verdict to you before the hammer drops.
Selling your car
An independent report answers buyer doubts before they are raised. Offer your car for inspection and let the findings speak.
In a hurry? An instant VIN check returns build data, recalls and theft records in seconds for $1.99.