A pre-purchase inspection takes 1 to 2 hours. At PPI Mechanic a Standard inspection takes about 1 hour, Luxury about 1.5 hours and Exotic about 2 hours, and we book the full time for every inspection. Some cars are done a little sooner and some take a little longer, depending on the car and what the mechanic finds.
What happens in that hour
- Paperwork and keys. Someone at the car signs the inspection agreement and hands over the keys.
- Walk-around. Paint, panels and glass for signs of past accidents, plus tires and wheels and flood damage.
- Under the hood and under the car. Fluids and leaks, belts and hoses, the engine and transmission, and brakes and suspension.
- Computer scan. A diagnostic scan reads stored trouble codes.
- Inside the car. Electrical and electronics, and the interior and A/C.
- Test drive. Where the seller allows it, a test drive to check how it starts, shifts, steers and stops.
- Findings. We go over what the mechanic found with you, with photos.
What can make it shorter or longer
- The type of car. A simple sedan has fewer systems to check than a luxury SUV with air suspension, or a hybrid or electric car.
- What the mechanic finds. A clean car moves quickly. A warning light, a leak or a strange noise takes time to look into properly.
- Getting to the car. Gate codes, parking garages and finding the right space all take time if we do not have the details.
- The test drive. Traffic, and whether the seller allows one at all.
- Waiting for keys. If no one is at the car when the mechanic arrives, the clock is already running.
How to keep it on schedule
- Book the exact car. Give us the exact year, make and model, so we send a mechanic who knows that car.
- Give access details. For apartments and gated communities, our booking form asks for the gate code, the unit and where the car is parked. Fill them in.
- Make sure someone is there. Someone has to sign the inspection agreement and hand over the keys.
- Ask the seller about a test drive before the day of the inspection.
- Ask the seller not to drive the car first. A cold start tells the mechanic more than a warm one.
Need it today?
Found the car and need an answer fast? You can book a same-day inspection for $50 to $100 more. If we can’t get a mechanic to your car, you get a full refund. And if the mechanic is more than 30 minutes late, you can ask for a refund, no questions asked.
What it costs
Flat prices, not hourly: $199 for cars, SUVs and trucks, $279 for luxury, sports, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles, and $399 for exotic and collector cars. No travel fee. We set aside the full time for every inspection (1, 1.5 or 2 hours) and the mechanic plans around it, so nothing is rushed and you never have to feel pushed into a decision. See pricing.
Before you book, use our free used car inspection checklist for a first look of your own. Wondering if it is worth it? Read Is a pre-purchase inspection worth it?.
Why Tampa Buyers Choose PPI Mechanic
A mechanic comes to the car, checks it before you pay, and goes over what they found with you.
- A mix of experienced and ASE-certified mechanics
- We come to the car: dealership, private seller, or auction lot
- We don’t sell cars, so our opinion is independent
- Flat prices: $199, $279, or $399, with no travel fee
- Full refund if we can’t get a mechanic to your car
- Book online in a couple of minutes
Common Questions
How long does a pre-purchase inspection take?
About 1 hour for a Standard inspection, 1.5 hours for Luxury and 2 hours for Exotic. PPI Mechanic books the full time for every inspection. Some cars take a little less, some a little more.
Does a luxury or electric car take longer to inspect?
It can. Cars with more systems, like air suspension, driver-assist electronics, or hybrid and electric drive systems, can take longer to check.
Do I have to be there for the whole inspection?
Someone has to be at the car to sign the inspection agreement and hand over the keys.
Can I get a pre-purchase inspection today?
You can book a same-day inspection for an extra $50 to $100, depending on the inspection. If we can’t get a mechanic to your car, you get a full refund.
What if the mechanic is late?
If the mechanic is more than 30 minutes late, you can ask for a refund, no questions asked.