Curbwise

Mobile Pre-Purchase Inspection, $189

Buying a used car from a private seller? Before you hand over the money, have a mechanic look at it with you. We meet you at the seller's car, go through it top to bottom, scan it, drive it, and tell you what we found the same day.

Book an inspection

How it works

1. Book online and pick a time that works for you and the seller.
2. Pay $189 through Curbwise when you book.
3. Our mechanic meets you at the seller's car, wherever it's parked. Plan on about an hour.
4. You get a written report the same day, with notes and photos of anything worth asking about.

Areas we cover

Inglewood, Hawthorne, Westchester, El Segundo, Culver City, Gardena, Lawndale, Torrance, South LA and nearby. Outside these areas? Ask and we'll let you know.

What we check

Exterior

• Body panels for dents, rust and uneven gaps
• Signs of repaint or past body repair
• Glass and windshield chips or cracks
• Headlights, taillights, turn signals, brake lights
• Mirrors, wipers, door and trunk operation
• Signs of flood damage (water lines, rust in odd spots)

Interior

• Seats, carpet and headliner condition
• Odors (smoke, mildew)
• Dashboard warning lights at startup
• AC and heat
• Windows, locks, power seats and mirrors
• Radio, screen, speakers and USB/charging ports
• Seatbelts and horn
• Odometer reading compared to overall wear

Under the hood

• Engine oil level and condition
• Coolant level and condition
• Brake fluid and power steering fluid
• Transmission fluid (where it can be checked)
• Belts and hoses
• Battery and terminals, battery health test
• Visible leaks around the engine
• Cold start behavior and idle

OBD scan

• Current trouble codes
• Pending codes
• Readiness monitors (a sign codes were recently cleared)
• Live data check where available

Test drive (if the seller allows)

• Engine power and smoothness
• Transmission shifting
• Braking feel and noise
• Steering and alignment pull
• Suspension noises over bumps
• Cruise control and gauges working

Underbody and leaks

• Oil, coolant and transmission leaks
• Exhaust system and rust
• Frame and subframe damage or rust
• CV boots, axles and suspension parts
• Shocks and struts

Tires and brakes

• Tread depth on all four tires
• Uneven tire wear
• Tire age (date code)
• Spare tire and jack present
• Brake pads and rotors (visual, where visible through wheels)

Title and VIN reminder

• VIN on the dash, door and title match
• We remind you to check the title status (clean, salvage, lien) and run a vehicle history report before you pay. We don't provide the history report.

Price

$189 flat per vehicle. Paid when you book. No travel fee.

Cancellations and refunds

Full refund if cancelled 24h+ before. If the seller backs out, we reschedule or refund.

Please read: this is not a guarantee

This inspection is a visual and diagnostic check of the vehicle at one point in time. It is not a warranty or guarantee of the car's condition or future performance. We don't take anything apart, so problems that can't be seen, heard or scanned during the visit may not be found. We can't guarantee that there are no hidden or intermittent defects. Use the report as one input in your decision, along with the title, history report and your own judgment.

Book an inspection

Questions? Email aryanveluru@gmail.com