Know exactly what you're buying.
Two used car inspection packages, one plain checklist. I scan the car, test it on the road and tell you what I find before you pay.
Compare
Standard or Premium?
Both include the full computer scan and a road test. Premium adds the checks that find hidden accident damage, finance and wear. Travel is included within 15 miles of Doncaster: see the areas I cover and what travel adds.
| What is checked | Standard£90 to £110 | PremiumRecommended£140 to £160 |
|---|---|---|
| History and mileage | ||
| MOT history check | Included | Included |
| Mileage verification | Included | Included |
| Visual assessment | ||
| Bodywork | Included | Included |
| Underbody | Included | Included |
| Tyres | Included | Included |
| Brakes | Included | Included |
| Fluid levels | Included | Included |
| Autel computer diagnostics | ||
| Full computer scanEngine, gearbox, ABS, airbags and more | Included | Included |
| Road test | ||
| Comprehensive road testClutch, suspension, steering, braking | Included | Included |
| Report and feedback | ||
| Verbal feedback after | Included | Included |
| Autel PDF fault reportSent to your phone | Included | Included |
| Premium extras | ||
| Paint depth gaugePast accidents, poor repairs, filler | Not included | Included |
| Advanced live dataInjector corrections, DPF or GPF soot load, timing chain stretch, EV or hybrid battery health | Not included | Included |
| Full HPI checkWrite-off category, finance, stolen records | Not included | Included |
| Full photo reportEvery scratch, leak and wear item | Not included | Included |
| Repair cost estimateA list to negotiate the price | Not included | Included |
| Book the Standard inspectionMessage to book the Standard inspection | Book the Premium inspectionMessage to book the Premium inspection |
Travel fee depends on your zone. See coverage.
The checklist
What gets checked in a used car inspection
Nine areas, from the paperwork to the paint. Six are in every inspection. Three are Premium only.
Message to bookI pull the full MOT history and read it line by line: past failures, repeat advisories and the mileage at each test. Then I check that the mileage on the car makes sense against that record. A history that doesn't add up is worth knowing about before you pay.
I walk round the car checking panels, gaps, glass and lights, then look underneath for corrosion, damage and leaks. Anything that looks hit or badly repaired goes in the report.
I check the condition of each tyre and look at the brakes for wear and damage. These are wear items, so knowing where they stand helps you budget for what comes next.
I check the fluid levels and look for leaks or anything that shouldn't be there. Fluids tell you a lot about how a car has been looked after.
I run a full computer scan across the engine, gearbox, ABS, airbags and more. The kit reads hidden faults, cleared codes and pending issues that the dashboard won't show. You get the result as a PDF on your phone.
I drive the car and test the clutch, suspension, steering and braking. Some things only show up when the car is moving, which is why the road test is part of every inspection.
A digital gauge measures the paint thickness across the panels. Differences from one panel to the next can point to past accidents, poor repairs or filler. It tells you where to ask the seller questions.
I go beyond fault codes and read live data: injector corrections, DPF or GPF soot load, timing chain stretch and, on EVs and hybrids, battery health. It shows how the engine and systems are really behaving.
A full HPI check covers write-off category (S, N, C or D), outstanding finance and stolen records. These are things the car itself can't show you.
After the inspection
What you get, and when
-
01
Verbal feedback
Straight after the check I talk you through what I found, in plain English.
-
02
Autel PDF fault report
The full fault report from the scan is sent to your phone, so you have it in writing.
-
03
Photo report
Premium
Every scratch, leak and wear item, photographed.
-
04
Repair cost list
Premium
An estimate for what needs fixing, ready to use when you talk price.
The scan
What it finds that a basic code reader misses
- A basic reader shows the faults the car is storing right now. My Autel scan also reads cleared codes and pending issues, so a warning that was wiped before you arrived can still show up.
- It reads the gearbox, ABS and airbags as well as the engine, not just the engine warning light.
- Premium adds live data: injector corrections, DPF or GPF soot load, timing chain stretch and, on EVs and hybrids, battery health.
- The scan doesn't replace looking at the car. The scan, the visual check and the road test are meant to be read together.
Negotiation
Know what it costs to fix before you pay.
With Premium you get an estimated repair cost list. Show the seller what needs doing and roughly what it costs, then ask for the price to reflect it.
A fair seller will talk. If they won't, that tells you something too.
If the report comes back clean, you can buy with more confidence. If it flags repairs, you can ask for a lower price, ask the seller to fix them first, or walk away. It is your call.
- Front brake pads and discs£000
- Replacement tyre£000
- Service items£000
- Minor bodywork repair£000
Honest limits
What an inspection can and can't do
- It's a snapshot. I check the car as it is on the day, on the driveway and on the road.
- It lowers your risk and gives you facts. It isn't a warranty or a guarantee.
- Some faults only show up over time or in certain conditions, so the inspection reports what is found on the day.
Weekends only
Book your weekend slot
Weekend slots fill fast. Message me to check availability, or see how to book and what to send me.