Independence Matters

Why Independent Inspections Matter

A dealer's inspection serves the dealer. An independent inspection serves you. When you're spending thousands on a vehicle, the difference matters.

The Conflict of Interest

When the person inspecting the car is also the person selling it, their inspection serves their interests - not yours. That's not dishonesty; it's just incentives.

The solution is simple: Get an inspection from someone who only benefits by giving you accurate information.

Follow the Money

Understanding Inspection Incentives

Every inspection comes with incentives. The question is whether those incentives align with your interests.

Dealers Profit From the Sale

A dealer's primary goal is to sell the car. Their inspection serves that goal. Our only goal is to tell you what we find - good or bad.

In-House Inspections Lack Objectivity

When the same company inspects and sells the vehicle, there's inherent pressure to minimize issues. We have no stake in whether you buy.

Certification ≠ Perfection

Certified Pre-Owned programs vary in thoroughness. We've found issues on CPO vehicles that certification missed. The warranty is valuable, but knowing actual condition is better.

Repair Shops Have Incentives Too

Even independent shops may benefit from finding problems - they can sell you the repairs. We don't sell repairs; we just report what we find.

True Independence

What Makes Us Different

What We Don't Do

  • Sell cars
  • Sell repairs
  • Work for dealers
  • Get paid based on what we find
  • Have any stake in whether you buy

What We Do

  • Work for you - the buyer
  • Document everything with video
  • Report both good and bad findings
  • Give you information to make your own decision
  • Provide same-day results you can act on
Real Examples

What Independent Inspections Find

These are composite examples based on actual inspections. They illustrate why dealer inspections alone aren't enough.

The 'Certified' Surprise

A buyer asked us to inspect a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. The dealer's certification report showed it passed all points. Our inspection revealed a transmission that slipped between gears - something the certification process apparently missed. The buyer negotiated a significant discount or walked away (their choice, not ours).

The 'Inspected' Trade-In

A dealer's inspection report listed a trade-in as being in excellent condition. Our inspection found evidence of a previous front-end collision - misaligned panels, paint overspray, and replaced components. This wasn't in any report the dealer provided.

The Hidden Maintenance

Dealer said the car was well-maintained. Our inspection found the timing belt had never been replaced on a vehicle with 95,000 miles - a $1,200+ service that was overdue by 30,000 miles. The dealer's inspection didn't mention it.

FAQs

Questions About Independence

Aren't dealers required to disclose known problems?
Dealers must disclose known material defects, but 'known' is the key word. If their inspection didn't catch it, they can claim they didn't know. And definitions of 'material' vary. An independent inspection finds issues regardless of whether the dealer knows about them - or admits to knowing.
The dealer showed me their inspection report. Isn't that enough?
A dealer's inspection report tells you what they want you to know. It's prepared by someone who profits from selling you the car. Our inspection tells you what we actually find - including things that might make you decide not to buy. That's a fundamentally different incentive.
What about certified pre-owned vehicles?
CPO programs offer valuable warranties, but the certification inspection is done by the same entity selling the car. We've found issues on CPO vehicles that certification missed. The warranty protects you after purchase; an independent inspection protects you before purchase by helping you avoid problems entirely.
Do you ever work with dealers?
We inspect at dealerships regularly - but we work for the buyer, not the dealer. Dealers sometimes recommend our services because it helps close sales with cautious buyers. But our report goes to you, and we document what we find regardless of what the dealer might prefer.
What if the dealer offers a free inspection?
A free inspection from the seller is worth exactly what you pay for it. They're not going to tell you things that might kill the sale. An independent inspection costs money because independence has value - you're paying for objectivity, not just the inspection itself.
Won't the dealer be offended if I want an independent inspection?
Reputable dealers welcome independent inspections. It signals you're a serious buyer and protects both parties by documenting the vehicle's condition. If a dealer discourages independent inspection, that tells you something important about whether you should buy from them.

Get the Full Picture

Don't rely on the seller's inspection alone. For $225, you get an inspection from someone whose only interest is telling you the truth about the vehicle you're considering.

Book Independent Inspection See Sample Report

Related Pages

Dealer Purchases

Why inspect even at reputable dealers

For Buyers

Complete guide to our buyer inspection service

Mobile vs. Shop

Why mobile inspections make sense

Questions? Call or text (833) 292-1293 or email [email protected]