Yes. It's called a pre-purchase inspection, or PPI for short, and you can have one done before you pay for the car.
A lot of buyers don't know that. Stephon, who owns Car Pro Inspections, says customers tell him this a lot: "I did not know that I could hire a company like you guys to inspect a car for me before I buy."
So here is how it works: what you are paying for, who you can hire, what to look for and how to set one up.
What a pre-purchase inspection is
A pre-purchase inspection is a mechanic's look at a used car you are thinking about buying. It happens before you buy, and it is done for you. You pay for it, so the report answers to you, not to the seller.
It isn't the same as a state inspection. The FTC puts it this way: "A mechanical inspection is different from a safety inspection. Safety inspections usually only focus on things that make a car unsafe to drive." A pre-purchase inspection looks at the condition of the whole car, not just whether it is safe to drive today.
The FTC recommends one for any used car: "it's always a good idea to pay for an independent mechanic to conduct a mechanical inspection of a used car."
Who you can hire
You have a few options.
- A mobile inspection service. The inspector comes to the car, whether it sits on a dealer lot or in a private seller's driveway. The FTC suggests this when a dealer won't let a car leave the lot: "you may be able to find a mobile inspection service that will go to the dealer." That is what we do.
- A repair shop you choose. This works when the seller will let the car go to the shop. The FTC's other option is to have the dealer bring the car to a facility you pick.
- A mechanic you know and trust. That can work too, as long as they have no tie to the seller and you get what they find in writing.
What doesn't count is an inspection done for the seller. A dealer's own inspection or certification answers the dealer's questions. Our post on two questions to ask any used-car seller explains why yours should be separate.
What to look for in whoever you hire
- Independence. They should work for you, not the seller, and have nothing to sell you afterward.
- A written report you keep. The FTC says to "Be sure the report includes the car's make, model, and VIN."
- Photos. You should be able to see what they saw.
- A diagnostic scan where the car can be scanned.
- A road test when the seller allows it and it is safe and legal to drive.
- Someone to talk to afterward. A good report raises questions. You want a person who can answer them.
How to set one up
- Find the car and get the seller's OK for an inspection where the car sits.
- Tell the inspector where the car is and book a time. With us, you tell us where the car is and we'll schedule it.
- You don't need to be present. You get photos and a detailed report.
- Read the report, then decide. All issues are documented and explained. Many customers use the findings to negotiate or confidently walk away.
What it costs
The FTC is direct about it: "You'll have to pay the inspection fee, but it can help you avoid paying for a car with major problems." Our post How Much Does a Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Cost in 2026? walks through what you pay and what you get.
How we do it
We don't sell cars. We don't work for dealers. We specialize in pre-purchase inspections and do not sell vehicles or repairs. The mechanic who puts hands on the car is the one who builds your report.
One of our certified technicians comes to the car, anywhere across the greater Atlanta, GA and Orlando, FL metro areas, and inspects it engine to underbody. Every inspection includes a mechanical and safety check, a dealer-level diagnostic scan (availability varies by make and year), photo documentation, and a road test when the seller allows it and it is safe and legal to drive. Enhanced and Elite add Accident Investigation, the Panel-by-Panel Repaint & Body Filler Check, and repair cost range guidance. On Enhanced you can request a 15-minute consultation call with your inspector or our lead technician. Elite includes a 30-minute priority consultation you can request, plus we follow up with you.
For the visit step by step, see How a Mobile Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Works.
Buying a used car in the Atlanta or Orlando area? Call us at 833-644-0800 and talk it through before you buy. Then book your inspection at carproinspections.com.
Quick answers
Can you hire someone to inspect a used car before you buy it? Yes. It's called a pre-purchase inspection. A mobile inspection service, a repair shop you choose or an independent mechanic can do one. The FTC says it's "always a good idea."
What does PPI mean on a car? Pre-purchase inspection: an independent check of a used car's condition, done for the buyer before the sale.
Is a state inspection the same thing? No. The FTC says "Safety inspections usually only focus on things that make a car unsafe to drive." A pre-purchase inspection looks at the condition of the whole car.
Do I have to be there? No. You'll receive photos and a detailed report. Enhanced and Elite add a video walk-through and a consultation call you can request once you have read it.
What if the seller won't allow an inspection? The FTC's advice for a dealer: "If a dealer won't allow an independent inspection, consider going to another dealer."