Know what you're buying before the money changes hands
I meet you and the seller at the car — private sale, dealer lot, or a listing an hour up the road — and go through it end to end. You get a written report with photos the same day and a straight answer about whether to walk.
Roughly 90 minutes, about 150 checks
The same inspection I'd run on a car before buying it myself. Nothing is skipped because the seller is standing there.
Electronic scan
- All modules scanned for stored and pending codes
- Codes recently cleared? I can usually tell
- Airbag, ABS, and emissions readiness status
Body & history
- Paint depth readings panel by panel
- Frame rails, seams, and repair evidence
- Panel gaps, overspray, and mismatched glass
Mechanical
- Fluid condition and level across the board
- Leaks — engine, transmission, differential, cooling
- Belts, hoses, mounts, and exhaust condition
Wear items
- Brake pad and rotor measurements
- Tire tread depth, date codes, and wear pattern
- Suspension, bushings, and steering play
Road test
- Cold start behavior and idle quality
- Shift quality through the range
- Braking, tracking, and noise under load
Your report
- Written summary with photos, same day
- What needs doing now vs. what can wait
- My honest read on whether to walk away
The math is not close
A used car in this market runs $12,000 to $30,000. A failing transmission is $4,000 to $7,000. A hidden accident repair knocks thousands off resale the day you try to sell it. Head gasket work on a European engine can cost more than the car is worth.
The inspection is $175–$225. It either confirms you found a good car — worth knowing — or it saves you from the most expensive mistake of your year. I have told plenty of people to walk away, and none of them were sorry.
I also give you leverage. A documented list of what needs doing is the difference between paying asking price and negotiating with evidence.
Book an inspection — 240-500-0609I come to the car, wherever it is
Anywhere in Frederick County, including Middletown, Frederick, Myersville, Jefferson, Braddock Heights, Brunswick, and the surrounding area. If the car is just over the county line, call and ask — most of the time I will still come.
Give me the listing and a couple of times that work for you and the seller. I bring everything I need; no one has to drive the car anywhere.