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Tell us about the car
Send the year, make, model, and where the car is parked in St. Petersburg. We confirm the price before you book.
St. Petersburg, FL · Pinellas County
Pre-Purchase Car Inspection in St. Petersburg, FL
Buying a used car in St. Pete? PPI Mechanic sends a mechanic to the car, at the dealership on 34th Street, the seller’s driveway in Kenwood, or a condo lot downtown, and checks it before you pay.
Buying a used car in St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg is surrounded by water, and that shows up in its used cars. Salt air speeds up rust under the car, and storm surge from recent hurricanes flooded thousands of vehicles in neighborhoods like Shore Acres and Snell Isle. Many of those cars were dried out, cleaned up, and put back up for sale. A pre-purchase car inspection in St. Petersburg is how you find out before the money changes hands.
Flood cars don’t always have a flood title. If the car spent time in a low-lying part of Pinellas County, have it checked for water damage before you buy.
How a Mobile Inspection Works in St. Petersburg
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We go to the car
A mechanic meets the car at the dealership, the seller’s home, or wherever it is parked. The seller doesn’t have to drive anywhere.
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Top-to-bottom inspection
Engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, body and frame, electrical, AC, a computer scan, and a test drive when the seller allows it.
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Know before you pay
We go over what we found with you, so you can buy, negotiate the price, or walk away.
What We Check on Every Car in St. Petersburg
Every pre-purchase car inspection in St. Petersburg covers the same full checklist, wherever the car is parked.
- Engine: leaks, noises, and how it starts and runs
- Transmission: fluid and shifting
- Brakes, tires, steering, and suspension
- Body and frame: accident repairs, rust, and paint work
- Flood damage signs
- Electrical, lights, and electronics
- AC and heating
- Computer scan for stored and cleared codes
- Test drive, when the seller allows it
What we watch for in St. Petersburg
- Water lines, silt, or rust under the seats and carpet
- Corrosion on wiring plugs and fuse boxes
- Rust on brake lines, the subframe, and the exhaust from salt air
- Musty or heavily perfumed interiors that hide mildew
- Sun-cracked dashboards, faded paint, and dried-out rubber
Where we inspect in St. Petersburg
- Dealerships and used car lots along 34th Street North
- Private sellers in Kenwood, Old Northeast, Crescent Lake, and Tyrone
- Condo and apartment lots downtown and in Midtown
- Homes in Shore Acres, Snell Isle, and Pinellas Point
- Nearby Gulfport, Pinellas Park, and St. Pete Beach
Inspection Pricing in St. Petersburg
Pricing is flat everywhere in St. Petersburg: $199 for cars, SUVs, and trucks, $279 for luxury and sports cars, and $399 for exotic and collector cars. We confirm the price before you book. See pricing.
Nearby Areas We Serve
PPI Mechanic is based in Tampa and inspects cars across Tampa Bay. See all of our service areas.
Why St. Petersburg Buyers Choose PPI Mechanic
A mechanic comes to the car in St. Petersburg, checks it before you pay, and tells you what they found in plain language.
- Based in Tampa, serving Tampa Bay
- 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
- Findings you can use to negotiate or walk away
- Book online in a couple of minutes
What Every Inspection Covers
Brakes & Suspension
Pads, rotors, shocks, and steering parts checked before you buy.
Read guide
Body & Frame Damage
Hidden accident repairs, frame damage, rust, and paint work.
Read guide
Computer Diagnostic Scan
Stored codes, pending codes, and cleared warning lights.
Read guide
Test Drive
How it starts, drives, shifts, steers, and stops.
Read guide
Flood Damage Check
Water lines, corrosion, smells, and electrical clues.
Read guide
St. Petersburg Inspection FAQ
Do you come to St. Petersburg?
Yes. We inspect cars anywhere in St. Petersburg, from downtown and the Old Northeast to Pinellas Point, plus Gulfport, Pinellas Park, and the beaches.
Do you check St. Pete cars for flood damage?
Yes. Every inspection includes a flood check: carpets, seat rails, wiring, the trunk well, and signs of corrosion. It matters more in St. Pete, where storm surge has flooded many cars.
How much does a pre-purchase inspection cost in St. Petersburg?
$199 for cars, SUVs, and trucks; $279 for luxury and sports cars, plus diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles; and $399 for exotic and collector cars.
Do I need to be there?
No. Many buyers aren’t. We meet the car with the seller or the dealership and go over the results with you afterward.
Can you inspect a car from a private seller?
Yes. Most of our inspections are at private sellers’ homes or at dealerships. The seller just needs to let us look at the car.
What if the inspection finds problems?
You decide what to do. Many buyers use the findings to negotiate the price or ask the seller to fix something first. Others walk away.
Buying a car in St. Petersburg? Check it first.
Book online in a couple of minutes. Tell us the year, make, and model and where the car is, and we confirm the inspection with you.