Pre-Purchase & Pre-Trip Inspections in San Diego
A used vehicle in San Diego can be worth $5k or $50k — and you cannot tell the difference from the curb. We put it on the lift at our Kearny Mesa shop, run a real inspection, and give you a straight report. Same for a road trip: better to find the slow coolant leak in the driveway than 200 miles into the desert.
Request Pre-Purchase & Pre-Trip Inspections
Drop off at 7898 Ostrow St. We'll get back to you.
Honest, Upfront Pricing
Pre-Purchase & Pre-Trip Inspections at Our Kearny Mesa Shop
Pre-Purchase Used Car Inspection
Full multi-point check on the lift before you buy. We tell you what we find — good and bad — in writing.
Pre-Trip Inspection
Tires, brakes, belts, hoses, fluids, lights, battery, AC. Catch the issues before you are stuck somewhere with no signal.
OBD2 Scan Included
We scan for stored codes and pending codes — including the ones a seller might have cleared right before you came to look.
Honest Report
Plain English, written down. You decide what to do with it.
Drop-Off Process
From check-in to keys back — what happens at the shop.
- 1
Schedule
Call ahead, especially for pre-purchase — those are time-sensitive when a deal is on the line.
- 2
Bring it in
Or, for a pre-purchase, the seller brings it to us (most San Diego sellers will agree to this).
- 3
Inspect on the lift
Full check — engine, drivetrain, suspension, brakes, body, fluids. OBD2 scan.
- 4
Report
Written report, plain language, photos when useful. You decide what is next.
Why a pre-purchase inspection pays for itself
A two-hour shop inspection costs less than one bad surprise. We find blown head gaskets that someone tried to disguise with stop-leak. Frame damage from accidents not reported. Transmissions on the way out. Cleared codes the seller hid. We tell you in writing, you walk in to the negotiation with leverage.
Why pre-trip inspections matter
Road trips out of San Diego mean desert in every direction. AC that struggles, a slow coolant leak, tires that are too old, brakes due, a marginal battery — any of those becomes a real problem 100 miles from the nearest tow truck. We catch them in the driveway.
Why on the lift, not in a parking lot?
You cannot see frame damage, oil leaks, suspension wear, or exhaust rot from the curb. The lift at our Kearny Mesa shop is the difference between an honest inspection and a guess. See mobile vs shop.
Book one
Call (619) 853-3823 — pre-purchase inspections are usually time-sensitive so let us know if there is a deadline on a vehicle. We are at 7898 Ostrow St.
Pre-Purchase & Pre-Trip Inspections Questions
The most common questions we hear about pre-purchase & pre-trip inspections in San Diego.
How much is a pre-purchase inspection in San Diego?
Flat fee per inspection — call for current pricing. Cheaper than the post-purchase repair bill on a car with hidden problems.
How long does a pre-purchase inspection take?
Usually 1 to 1.5 hours on the lift. Same-day report.
Can the seller bring the car instead of me?
Yes, and most San Diego private sellers will agree to it. We do not need the buyer to be present.
What if the inspection finds problems?
That is the point. You either walk away, or you negotiate the price down by the cost of the needed repairs. Either way you win.
Pre-trip inspection — what gets checked?
Tires (tread, age, pressure, sidewalls), brakes, belts, hoses, all fluids, lights, battery and charging, AC performance, suspension. The stuff that strands people on road trips.
Related Pages
Bring It In
7898 Ostrow St, Kearny Mesa. Call Willy.