Buying a used car can be challenging if you do not know how to check the overall vehicle. Here is the absolute truth we’ve learned over decades in this industry: the single riskiest part of buying a used vehicle is believing the seller when they say the car is “in great shape.”
Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you run the Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI). A PPI is a comprehensive diagnostic conducted by an independent, certified mechanic who works only for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Used car inspection is also called PPI or Pre-Purchase Inspection
- The inspection is usually done by a certified mechanic; you can find one yourself or choose from the dealer.
- Combine a manual check with a window sticker to get the detailed information about the vehicle.
What is a Used Car Inspection?
A used car inspection is a thorough inspection done before you decide to purchase a used car. This inspection is done to check if the car has been flooded or was involved in accidents, as well as checking the “feel” when the car was driven on the road.
This kind of car’s inspection is also called PPI or Pre-Purchase Inspection, usually done by a certified mechanic. During the inspection, the mechanic will check everything, including the suspension, brakes, and transmission, and look for signs of wear or damage. Once the inspection is conducted, you will get a report that shows the car’s condition.
Car Inspection Laws by State
The laws regarding mandated vehicle inspection vary drastically across the United States. While these checks are intended to protect the public and the environment, they are separate from your PPI. Understanding the regulatory landscape helps you determine how much due diligence you must perform.
What States Require Vehicle Inspections?
Mandatory inspections typically fall into two categories: Safety and Emissions. Safety inspections verify basic operational components (brakes, tyres, lights). Emissions inspections, required in metropolitan or high-population areas, check the car’s pollution output.
States with comprehensive, typically annual safety inspections include:
- New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas.
- In these states, sellers are often required to provide a current inspection sticker, which can give you minimal confidence in the car’s immediate functionality. However, a passing sticker does not mean the engine is healthy or the frame is rust-free.
States Without Vehicle Inspection
Conversely, roughly 19 states have no mandatory recurring safety or emissions inspections whatsoever, including:
- Florida, Alabama, Iowa, Minnesota, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
- In these areas, the responsibility shifts entirely to the buyer. Since the car has not been government-vetted for years, the need for a thorough, third-party PPI is absolutely critical.
| State | Recurring Safety Inspection Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Yes | Annual safety inspection required |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Annual inspection required |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Annual safety inspection |
| North Carolina | Yes | Annual inspection required |
| Virginia | Yes | Annual safety inspection |
| Texas | Yes | Annual inspection (recent changes apply) |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Annual safety inspection |
| Vermont | Yes | Annual safety inspection |
| Maine | Yes | Annual inspection required |
| New Jersey | Yes | Inspection required, safety focus reduced |
| Florida | No | No recurring safety inspection |
| Alabama | No | No inspection requirement |
| Iowa | No | No safety inspection |
| Minnesota | No | No statewide inspection |
| Wyoming | No | No safety inspection |
| South Dakota | No | No inspection requirement |
| Michigan | No | No safety inspection |
| Montana | No | No inspection required |
| Alaska | No | No recurring inspection |
| Arkansas | No | No safety inspection |
| Mississippi | No | No inspection program |
| South Carolina | No | No safety inspection |
| North Dakota | No | No inspection required |
| Kansas | No | No recurring inspection |
| Oklahoma | No | No safety inspection |
The Distinction: Law vs. Due Diligence
Regardless of what local laws require, your PPI is mandatory. The state check is a regulatory minimum; the PPI is risk management. If a state requires nothing, you have maximum risk; if a state requires annual checks, the PPI still finds the issues the state inspection misses, like excessive transmission wear or internal engine leaks.
How to Inspect a Used Car Before Buying?
Even before you involve a professional mechanic, you need to conduct an initial screen. This prevents you from wasting time and money on a car that already carries obvious deal-breakers.
Get a Vehicle History Report
Start with the vehicle’s identity. The initial digital check is the easiest check you can do at home or anywhere else! Through a vehicle history report, you can get detailed information about the vehicle that might not be revealed by the seller, like the accident history, auction records, real mileage report, warranty coverage, recalls check, and more.
Title Status
Do not proceed until you have run the VIN through a detailed history report. Use the Instant VIN Report’s vehicle history report to get detailed information on the vehicle’s title. On the report, check if the vehicle was ever marked as salvage or lemon. If you find one, we recommend that you find the other vehicle.
Odometer and Ownership History
Verify the mileage is consistent across state records. Check the ownership history to see if the car was used for high-stress commercial purposes (fleet, rental, or police). High owner turnover is a red flag for a perpetual problem car.
Do a Thorough Check on the Vehicle
Once the paperwork is clean, look for the signs of poor maintenance or hidden repairs.
Body Panel Alignment
Run your hand along the seams where the doors meet the fender and hood. The gaps should be even and not mismatched. Mismatched gaps or panels that stand proud of the body are strong indicators that the car has been involved in a collision and undergone repair.
The Smell Test
- Mildew/Wet Carpet: This is the most definite sign of flood damage. If the seller has tried to mask it with heavy air fresheners, be suspicious.
- Burnt Oil/Coolant: Indicates active leaks that are hitting the exhaust manifold.
- Heavy Smoke/Chemical: Often signals the car belonged to a heavy smoker or that a recent deep clean was required to hide odours.
Under the Hood (Visual)
- Fluid Leaks: Look for shiny, wet spots, especially near the gaskets or the bottom of the engine block.
- Oil Condition: Pull the dipstick. Black, sludgy oil signals neglect. Milky, frothy oil is a major sign of a blown head gasket, where coolant is mixing with the oil, a catastrophic failure.
- Tire Condition: Check for even wear. Uneven wear (one side of the tread is bald) is a definitive sign of an alignment issue, often caused by a front-end impact.
How to Find a Mechanic to Inspect a Used Car
Once your initial checks pass, the only way to confirm mechanical health is via a professional PPI. This is where you hand the car over to the experts.
Why Independence Matters?
If you wanted to run a manual check, make sure to hire a mechanic outside of what the dealer has provided. In this case, it is crucial that you get the right information from a third-party mechanic, so they do not need to sugarcoat anything.
- Speciality Shops: Seek out independent shops that specialise in the make you are buying (e.g., a “Japanese import specialist” for a Toyota). They know the common failure points of that specific model.
- High Ratings: Use online reviews (Google, Yelp) but look for mechanics who specifically mention PPI services and transparency. They should be willing to show you the car on the lift.
- The PPI Guarantee: Confirm that the shop understands you need a full Pre-Purchase Inspection, not a simple oil change check. The PPI is a 200-point diagnostic.
Read also: How Often Should a Car Be Serviced?
The Non-Negotiable: Diagnostic Tools
The professional PPI checklist relies on equipment you simply do not have at home. That is why we recommend that you get the car checked manually by a professional mechanic, besides getting the vehicle history report through a VIN check.
Underbody and Frame Assessment (The Lift)
The mechanic will place the car on a hydraulic lift to inspect the structural integrity. The purpose of this assessment is to:
- Frame Rail Damage: Bent, crimped, or wrinkled frame rails that confirm a serious, structural collision.
- Pervasive Rust: Heavy, flaky, perforated rust on the frame rails, brake lines, and fuel lines. Structural rust is a death sentence for the vehicle.
- Suspension Mounts: Excessive play or wear in the suspension components (bushings, tie rods, ball joints).
Engine and Transmission Diagnostics
Using specialised OBD-II scanners, the mechanic accesses internal computer data:
- Hidden Codes: Reading codes that may not have triggered the Check Engine Light yet (CEL), like misfires or sensor failures.
- Transmission Health: Checking the transmission fluid condition and looking for internal pressure faults that signal imminent failure. A bad transmission can cost $4,000 to replace, not a wise choice.
Road Testing Inspection
One of the most important steps before buying a used car, aside from an inspection, is a road test. If this is your first time buying a used car, we recommend that you hire a good mechanic to check the car’s condition when it was driven.
Transmission Performance
The transmission should shift smoothly and predictably under varying loads. When you’ve done a transmission performance test, look for these signs:
- Hesitation or Slipping: The engine revs high before the next gear engages.
- Harsh Jolts: Hard, sharp bumps when shifting, indicating internal wear.
Braking and Steering Dynamics
- Brake Pull: The car should brake in a straight line. If it pulls hard to one side, it indicates calliper or hydraulic issues.
- Vibration: Vibration during braking suggests warped rotors. Vibration at speed signals severe tire balance or alignment issues.
- Steering Feel: The steering should feel tight and responsive. Excessive play or looseness suggests worn-out rack components.
How Much Does a Vehicle Inspection Cost?
According to many sources, an inspection costs around $100 to $150 for a mechanic to manually inspect the vehicle. The fee should cover a report outlining the vehicle’s condition, any issues the mechanic found, and an estimate of the repair costs for those issues.
Should You Inspect a Used Car?
The Pre-Purchase Inspection, or a used car inspection, is one of the best steps you need to take before you decide to purchase a used car. The $150–$300 cost is negligible when weighed against a $5,000 engine failure.
You gain two things: Peace of Mind and Negotiation Leverage. If the mechanic finds nothing wrong, you proceed with confidence. If the report details $1,800 worth of necessary repairs (tires, brakes, timing belt due), you can use that written report to negotiate better with the seller by asking the seller to drop the price by that amount, or demand they fix the issues before the sale. Never buy the car and then find the problems; find the problems first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Used Car Inspection
How long does a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) usually take?
A thorough PPI should take between 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the complexity of the vehicle. Anything less is likely rushed.
Can I still get a PPI if the car is located far away?
Yes. If you cannot physically be there, hire a mechanic located near the seller. Pay the mechanic directly and have them send you the written report and photos/videos.
What is the single most common deal-breaker found in a PPI?
Excessive fluid leaks (engine oil, transmission) or unrepaired collision damage that affects the frame rails. Both signal major long-term financial liabilities.
Is a PPI the same as a state safety inspection?
Absolutely not. The state check verifies minimum legal standards; the PPI is a deep diagnostic audit performed for your financial protection.
How do I inspect a used car?
To inspect a used car, look for the signs on the body and other parts of the vehcile. Here’s the location and what you should inspect there:
- Body Condition: Look for rust, dents, scratches, and ensure body panels are properly aligned.
- Paint: Check for mismatched paint, which may suggest repairs after an accident.
- Glass: Inspect the windshield and windows for any cracks or chips.
- Lights: Ensure all lights (headlights, taillights, indicators) are intact and functioning properly.
Does North Dakota require a vehicle inspection?
No, North Dakota does not require a vehicle inspection, be it regular inspections or emission inspections for passenger vehicles. However, an inspection is required for certain vehicles, such as farm/ranch trailers.
What's the first thing to check on a used car?
Odor. When you are about to purchase a used vehicle, make sure you check if there’s an unusual smell in the interior. If you sniff a weird smell like musty, mouldy, or mildewy, it might be an early indication of a water leak. Take out the floor mats and check for any damp areas on the carpet. A strong, unpleasant odour could suggest the car was previously owned by a smoker.
