How Much Does a Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Cost?
$199.99 for most vehicles, $239.99 for exotic and luxury makes, and $259.99 for classic cars 25 years or older. There are no travel or booking fees, a VIN history report is included, and you are not charged until the inspection is complete.
Pricing by vehicle type
| Inspection | Price | Applies to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Inspection | $199.99 | Most cars, trucks, SUVs and vans | The default tier. Covers the overwhelming majority of used vehicles. |
| Exotic Inspection | $239.99 | Luxury and exotic makes | Higher-complexity vehicles requiring a specialist inspector. |
| Classic Inspection | $259.99 | Vehicles 25+ years old | Age-specific assessment — corrosion, originality, period-correct components. |
No travel fees, no booking fees, no dealership surcharge. Volume pricing is available for multiple vehicles — email info@carinspections.com.
What the price includes
Included in every inspection
- 200+ point inspection across every major system
- Exterior — paint, panels, rust, glass, lights, tires and wheels
- Interior — seats, dashboard, electronics, A/C, gauges, odor check
- Mechanical — engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust, fluids
- Road test — acceleration, braking, shifting, alignment, noise and vibration
- OBD-II scan — check-engine codes and emissions readiness (1996 and newer)
- Detailed digital report with photos
- Free VIN vehicle history report
Not included
- Compression testing
Invasive, most sellers do not permit it, and it carries liability concerns for a mobile inspection.
- Inspection on a lift
As a mobile service, inspectors examine the undercarriage with cameras and mirrors. At a dealership you can ask whether a lift is available, but using it is the inspector's call.
- Official emissions testing
Requires specialized equipment at a dedicated facility. The OBD-II scan flags emissions-related codes but is not a substitute for a state test.
- Frame measurement
Confirming a bent frame requires a frame machine at a specialized shop. Visible structural damage and corrosion are assessed.
- Title and ownership verification
An inspection examines the vehicle. Who legally owns it is a title and photo-ID check only you can do at the point of sale.
When you’re charged
Placing an order puts a pre-authorization hold on your card. That is not a charge — it confirms the card is valid and reserves the funds. The card is charged only after the inspector has performed the inspection and submitted the report.
If the inspection cannot be completed — the vehicle sold, the seller withdrew access, anything else — the hold is released and no charge ever occurs. If you were already charged and the inspection could not be delivered, you receive a complete refund.
One exception worth knowing: if you order an inspection to verify a suspicious listing and the listing turns out to be fraudulent, the fee still applies. We dispatch an inspector to the location regardless of what they find there — and their documentation of a vehicle or address that does not exist is often the first hard evidence of the fraud. See our guide to used car scams.
Pricing questions
How much does a pre-purchase car inspection cost?
A CarInspections.com inspection costs $199.99 for most vehicles, $239.99 for exotic and luxury makes, and $259.99 for classic cars 25 years or older. There are no separate travel or booking fees — the inspector comes to the vehicle at no extra charge, and a VIN vehicle history report is included.
When am I actually charged?
When you place the order we put a pre-authorization hold on your card, which is not a charge — it confirms the card is valid and reserves the funds. You are charged only once the inspection has been performed and the report submitted. If the inspection cannot be completed for any reason, the hold is released and no charge ever occurs.
Is there a fee if the car sells before you inspect it?
No. If the vehicle sells before we can complete the inspection you receive a full refund, or if you were only pre-authorized, we release the hold. You are never charged for an inspection that could not be completed.
Do you charge extra for travel or for a car at a dealership?
No. The inspector travels to wherever the vehicle is — a private seller's home, a dealership, or anywhere else — at no additional cost, and the price is the same either way.
Do you offer a discount for multiple vehicles?
Per-vehicle pricing is the standard rate by default, but volume discounts are available case by case. Email info@carinspections.com with how many vehicles, where they are and your timing, and we will put together a quote.
Is a pre-purchase inspection worth the cost?
The comparison worth making is against the repairs an inspection surfaces. Transmission replacement typically runs $3,000–$7,000, engine replacement $4,000–$10,000, and a head-gasket repair $1,500–$3,000. An inspection also gives you documented findings to negotiate with, which frequently recovers the fee several times over on a single purchase.
How long does it take?
Reports are delivered within 1–2 business days of placing your order — that covers scheduling with the seller, performing the inspection and delivering the report. We operate Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm Central. We do not offer same-day, rush or expedited inspections.
What do you need from me before booking?
The vehicle's location, the seller's contact information so we can coordinate directly, the VIN or stock number if it is at a dealership, and any specific concerns you want the inspector to focus on. Most importantly, confirm with the seller beforehand that they are willing to allow an independent inspection — without their permission we physically cannot perform one.
Book an inspection
Report within 1–2 business days. You’re not charged until it’s done.