Pre-Purchase Inspection Houston & Katy
Buying a used car? I come to wherever the car is: a dealership lot, a private seller's driveway, or a Marketplace meetup. I check it over before you hand over any money.
Starting at $200 · trip included
What I check
Computer & electrical
- Full scan of every module for stored, pending and permanent codes, not just the engine light
- Readiness monitors, to catch codes cleared right before the sale
- Live data: fuel trims, misfire counters, coolant temperature
- Mileage stored in the modules compared to the odometer, where the car records it
- Every warning light comes on at key-on and goes off, so none were disabled to hide a fault
- Battery test, charging output and cranking
- Lights, wipers, horn, windows, locks, mirrors and the backup camera
- A/C cold and heat hot
Engine
- Cold start, with the seller asked not to warm it up first
- Idle quality, misfires, knocks and smoke at start-up and under revving
- Oil level and condition, and signs of oil and coolant mixing
- Oil, coolant and other leaks
- Belts, hoses, engine mounts, radiator and cooling fans
Transmission & drivetrain
- Fluid level and condition where the transmission can be checked
- Shift quality, slipping and harsh engagement on the road test
- CV boots and axles, and 4WD/AWD engagement where equipped
Brakes, steering & suspension
- Pad and rotor wear, and brake fluid condition
- Pedal feel, pulling and the ABS system
- Shocks and struts for leaks; ball joints, tie rods and bushings for wear
- Power steering leaks and noise
Tires & wheels
- Tread depth on all four tires and the spare
- DOT date codes, because old tires fail even with good tread
- Uneven wear that points to alignment or suspension problems
- Tire pressure sensors and wheel damage
Body, frame & flood
- Signs of accident repair: paint mismatch, overspray, uneven panel gaps
- Frame rails and underbody for damage and rust visible from the ground
- Flood signs: silt, rust in odd places, damp carpet, musty smell
- Glass, lights and lenses
Road test & paperwork
- Road test where the seller allows it: noises, vibration, pulling, braking
- VIN on the dash, door jamb and title all match
- Title checked for a salvage or flood brand, if the seller has it on hand
A real one from Katy
One I did recently: a 2018 Subaru Outback with 165k miles, on a dealership lot in Katy. It turned up:
- The wrong battery: a lithium unit sitting in an oversized tray. It needs an AGM.
- All four tire pressure sensors reporting no data
- Tires from around 2019, due for replacement on age alone
- Oil change due
- Worth watching: hairline cracks in the serpentine belt and light residue around the valve cover
That's the point: you find out what the car needs before you agree on a price, not after.
This isn't a state inspection
I don't issue Texas inspection stickers. For that you need a licensed state inspection station. A pre-purchase inspection is for you, the buyer, before you pay.
How to book
Text me the year, make, model and mileage, where the car is, and when the seller can show it.
Questions
How much is a pre-purchase inspection?
Starting at $200, and the trip is included.
What does the inspection cover?
A full computer scan of every module, the engine, transmission, brakes, steering, suspension, tires, body and frame, flood signs, a road test where the seller allows it, and a VIN and title check.
Should the seller warm the car up first?
Ask them not to. I want to hear a cold start, because a warm engine can hide start-up noises and smoke.
Can you inspect a car at a dealership?
Yes. I meet you on the lot. If a dealer or seller won't let an independent mechanic look at the car, treat that as a red flag.
Is this the same as a Texas state inspection?
No. I don't issue state inspection stickers. A pre-purchase inspection tells you what condition the car is in before you buy it.
What vehicles do you inspect?
Cars, SUVs and light trucks, all makes. For hybrids, call me first: whether I take it depends on the car.
What areas do you cover?
Katy and greater Houston. Text me where the car is and I'll tell you if I can get there.