Out-of-State Buyer's Guide to Spokane Used Car Inspections

You’ve found what looks like a great deal on a used car in Spokane. You’re in California, Texas, Florida, or somewhere else entirely. You can’t fly across the country to look at a $20,000 car. So you’re weighing your options: trust the listing photos? Ask for a video call? Wire the money and hope for the best?

Here’s what you need to understand: buying a car remotely without verification is one of the riskiest purchases you can make. Not because most sellers are dishonest—they’re not. But because you have zero legal protection once you sign, you can’t see what the photos don’t show, and scammers specifically target out-of-state buyers who can’t easily verify anything.

We’re your eyes and ears on the ground. This guide explains why that matters and what we actually do for remote buyers.

The Legal Reality You Need to Understand

Before anything else, understand this: Washington State has no return law for vehicle purchases. There is no 72-hour cooling off period. There is no buyer’s remorse protection. Once you sign the paperwork—even electronically from 2,000 miles away—the car is legally yours along with any problems it has.

This isn’t a technicality. It’s the law. And it means your only protection happens before you sign, not after.

For the complete legal breakdown, see: No Return Law for Used Cars in Washington State.

What this means for remote buyers: If you wire money for a car based on photos and descriptions, then discover problems after it arrives—you have essentially no recourse. The sale is final. You can’t “return” the car because you didn’t know about the issues. This makes pre-purchase verification not just smart, but essential.

Why Photos and Seller Descriptions Aren’t Enough

When you’re buying remotely, you’re typically relying on:

• Professional listing photos (often taken at flattering angles)
• Seller-provided videos (showing what they want you to see)
• Video chat walkarounds (controlled by the seller)
• Vehicle history reports (which only show reported incidents)
• The seller’s word

Every single one of these information sources is controlled by the seller. That’s not necessarily malicious—but it’s a fundamental asymmetry that doesn’t exist when you can physically inspect something yourself.

What Photos Don’t Show

Even honest sellers take photos that present the car well. That’s normal. But photos can’t convey:

• How the car actually drives — Transmission hesitation, steering issues, suspension noises, brake feel
• Developing mechanical problems — Leaks, worn components, stored diagnostic codes
• Subtle damage evidence — Paint thickness variations, panel gap misalignment, signs of previous repairs
• Wear items nearing replacement — Brake pad thickness, tire condition, belt wear
• Interior condition in detail — Odors, wear patterns, electrical function

A car can photograph beautifully and still have $3,000 in needed repairs.

What Carfax Doesn’t Show

Vehicle history reports are useful, but they create a dangerous false sense of security for remote buyers. Carfax only knows what’s been reported—and plenty of important information never makes it into any database.

We regularly inspect “clean Carfax” vehicles and find evidence of unreported collision repair, significant mechanical issues, and deferred maintenance that affects both value and safety.

For more on this: Is Getting a Carfax Report Enough? (Spoiler: No).

Real Scams We’ve Uncovered

This isn’t theoretical. In just a two-week period recently, we uncovered two sophisticated Facebook Marketplace scams while attempting to conduct pre-purchase inspections. Both targeted out-of-state buyers. Both involved high-end vehicles priced well below market value. Both would have resulted in significant financial losses.

The Pattern We See

These scams follow a consistent playbook:

The bait: A desirable vehicle (often luxury brands like Mercedes AMG) listed 25-30% below market value. Not so cheap it’s obviously fake, but cheap enough to create urgency.

The story: The seller claims affiliation with a legitimate local dealer but says their “main business” is trucking or transport. The vehicle is supposedly the owner’s personal car—explaining why it’s nicer than the dealer’s typical inventory.

The pressure: Once you express interest, urgency ramps up. Other buyers are interested. They need a deposit to hold it. They’ve already arranged shipping (before receiving payment—a major red flag). Time is running out.

The collapse: When we attempt to verify—actually showing up to inspect the vehicle—the scam falls apart. In one case, the “dealership” was a small office park with no vehicles. In another, the seller claimed to have already shipped the car (before payment) and sent photos of a clearly different vehicle on a hauler.

Why These Scams Target Remote Buyers

Out-of-state buyers are perfect targets because:

• You can’t easily verify anything in person
• The deal seems too good to pass up
• FOMO (fear of missing out) creates pressure to act fast
• You may assume protections exist that don’t (like a return policy)
• Scammers know you’re unlikely to pursue legal action across state lines

The simple defense: Require professional verification before sending any money. Scammers can’t produce vehicles that don’t exist. The moment you insist on an independent inspection, most scams evaporate.

For detailed examples: Facebook Marketplace Car Scams: How to Protect Yourself.

What We Actually Do for Remote Buyers

When you schedule an inspection, here’s exactly what happens:

We Go to the Vehicle

We’re 100% mobile. We travel to wherever the car is—dealership lots, private seller homes, storage facilities, anywhere in the Greater Spokane area. You don’t need to be present. The seller doesn’t need to do anything except make the vehicle available.

We Verify It Exists

This sounds basic, but it matters enormously for remote buyers. We physically confirm:

• The vehicle is actually at the stated location
• It matches the listing description (make, model, year, color, VIN)
• The seller is who they claim to be
• The situation matches what you’ve been told

This alone eliminates most scam attempts.

We Conduct a Comprehensive Inspection

Our 95-point inspection covers:

Mechanical systems:

• Engine operation and condition
• Transmission performance
• Cooling system
• Exhaust system
• Steering and suspension
• Brake system

Diagnostic scan:

• Current trouble codes
• Pending codes
• Stored historical codes
• System readiness status

Exterior assessment:

• Paint condition and evidence of repairs
• Panel alignment and gaps
• Glass condition
• Tire condition and age
• Undercarriage inspection

Interior evaluation:

• All controls and electronics
• HVAC operation
• Seat and interior condition
• Odor assessment
• Safety system verification

Test drive:

• Real-world performance
• Noise and vibration assessment
• Brake feel and performance
• Transmission behavior
• Steering response

We Document Everything

You receive:

• Detailed written report with findings organized by system
• Video walkthrough showing exactly what we found, narrated in plain language
• Photos of any issues or concerns
• Professional assessment of condition, value alignment, and recommended next steps

This documentation serves multiple purposes: it helps you make an informed decision, provides negotiating leverage if issues are found, and creates a record of pre-purchase condition.

We Deliver Same-Day

Reports are typically delivered within 2 hours of inspection completion. We understand remote buyers are often working on tight timelines with sellers expecting decisions.

What Inspections Reveal That Change Decisions

Here’s a real example of why this matters:

A buyer from out of state was considering a luxury German sedan listed at an attractive price. Photos looked great. Seller seemed legitimate. The buyer was ready to move forward.

During our inspection test drive, we discovered the driver’s seatbelt wasn’t functioning—a critical safety issue invisible in any photo and not mentioned in the listing. The repair wasn’t just a seatbelt replacement; it required an entire seat assembly, an extremely expensive repair typical of luxury German vehicles.

This finding saved the buyer from a purchase that would have immediately required thousands in repairs—on a car they couldn’t legally drive safely.

This kind of discovery isn’t unusual. Every week we find issues that photos miss:

• Hidden accident damage with poor repairs
• Developing mechanical problems
• Safety concerns
• Maintenance that’s been deferred
• Conditions that don’t match the listing description

Sometimes these findings are dealbreakers. Sometimes they’re negotiating points. Either way, you need to know before you sign.

The Real Value: Negotiation Leverage

Not every inspection finding means you shouldn’t buy the car. Often, the value is in knowing exactly what you’re getting so you can pay accordingly.

Here’s how this works:

Scenario: You’re ready to pay $22,000 for a vehicle based on the listing. Our inspection reveals the brakes need replacement ($400), the tires are due within 6 months ($800), there’s a slow oil leak that should be addressed ($600), and the air conditioning isn’t blowing as cold as it should ($300+).

Without inspection: You pay $22,000. Within months, you’ve spent another $2,100+ on issues that existed before purchase.

With inspection: You negotiate. “The inspection found $2,100 in near-term repairs. I’ll take the car at $20,500.” You either save $1,500, or you walk away knowing you avoided overpaying.

The math: Our inspection costs $225. The negotiating leverage it provides regularly saves buyers many times that amount.

Why Spokane Is Worth Considering

If you’re shopping remotely, Spokane’s market has genuine advantages:

Climate benefits:

• No road salt (unlike Midwest markets) means less rust and corrosion
• Dry conditions are easier on vehicles than coastal humidity
• Four seasons without extreme exposure

Market factors:

• Generally competitive pricing
• Good selection of vehicles
• Less wear from stop-and-go traffic than major metros
• Strong local maintenance culture

Practical considerations:

• Major shipping routes make transport straightforward
• Multiple inspection options for verification
• Established dealer network

This doesn’t mean every Spokane car is perfect—it means the market conditions are favorable for used vehicle preservation compared to many alternatives.

How Remote Buyers Work With Us

The Process

1. You find a vehicle you’re interested in through any channel—dealer website, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, AutoTrader, wherever.

2. You schedule inspection through our booking system. Provide the vehicle details (Year/Make/Model/VIN) and location.

3. We coordinate with the seller to arrange access. Most sellers—both dealers and private parties—readily accommodate inspection requests. (If a seller refuses inspection, that tells you something important.)

4. We conduct the inspection at the vehicle’s location. Takes approximately 90 minutes.

5. You receive the report within 2 hours—typically same day. Complete documentation including video.

6. You make an informed decision based on actual condition, not just listing claims.

What You Need to Provide

• Vehicle information: Year, Make, Model, VIN (optional)
• Vehicle location: Dealer name and address, or private seller location
• Seller contact info (REQUIRED): Complete and accurate seller information, especially cell phone number and email address

Important: Seller permission is your responsibility. We obtain permission from the seller before conducting any inspection, and we cannot inspect without it. As our customer, it’s your responsibility to:

• Ensure the seller knows the inspection is scheduled
• Confirm the seller has agreed to allow the inspection
• Verify the vehicle will be available when our inspector arrives

If we show up and the seller isn’t expecting us or refuses access, the inspection can’t happen. Clear communication with the seller beforehand prevents this.

What It Costs

Buyer inspection: $225 (includes tax)

That’s it. No hidden fees. No upsells. You get the complete inspection, video documentation, and report.

For context: this is less than one month’s payment on most car loans, and a tiny fraction of what you’d lose on a bad purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be present for the inspection?

No. We handle everything on-site and deliver your complete report remotely. You can be anywhere in the country (or world). Many of our clients never set foot in Spokane until they’re picking up a vehicle they’ve already purchased with confidence.

Will dealers allow a pre-purchase inspection?

The vast majority do—both franchise dealers and independents. Reputable sellers understand that buyers, especially remote buyers, need verification. If a dealer refuses to allow an inspection, that’s a significant red flag and you should reconsider the purchase.

How long does the inspection take?

Approximately 90 minutes on-site, with report delivery within 2 hours of completion. Most inspections are completed and reported same-day.

What if you find problems?

We document what we find objectively. Our job isn’t to tell you whether to buy—it’s to give you the information you need to decide. Some findings are dealbreakers. Others are negotiating points. Some cars pass with minor notes. We report what we see and let you make the call.

Can you help with the purchase process?

Our service is inspection and documentation. We don’t handle negotiations, payments, shipping, or other transaction elements. We provide the information; you handle the deal.

What areas do you cover?

Primary service area: Greater Spokane including Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Airway Heights, Mead, Cheney, and surrounding communities.

Extended zones: We also travel to North Idaho and Deer Park. Extended zone inspections include an additional travel fee. Contact us for specific locations and pricing.

How do I schedule?

Visit our inspection booking page or call us directly at (833) 292-1293. We typically can accommodate inspections within 24-48 hours of booking.

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The Bottom Line for Remote Buyers

Buying a car sight-unseen is risky. There’s no getting around that. But the risk isn’t in buying remotely—it’s in buying uninformed.

When you have professional verification before purchase, you know:

• The car actually exists (eliminating scams)
• Its real condition (not just listing claims)
• What it needs now and soon (for negotiation or decision-making)
• Whether it matches its price (protecting your investment)

We’re your eyes and ears on the ground. We see the car, drive the car, scan the car, and document everything—so you can make a confident decision from wherever you are.

Washington State offers zero buyer protection after you sign. That makes pre-purchase inspection not just smart, but essential for remote buyers. A $225 inspection is cheap insurance against a $5,000+ mistake.

Schedule Your Inspection Now