Signs you need mobile pre-purchase inspection
- You are about to buy a used car, truck, RV, trailer or motorcycle
- The seller is out of town or across the area from you
- The listing says 'runs great' but has little service history
- A warning light was on, or just got cleared, before the showing
- Fresh undercoating, new carpet or new paint in odd places
- Musty smell or soft spots in an RV or camper
- The price seems low for the year and miles
- You want a list of upcoming maintenance to negotiate with
The tech will not climb onto an RV roof that is unsafe to walk, or crawl under a vehicle without proper support. Do not start or drive a vehicle that is leaking fuel or smells of propane: walk away and let the seller deal with it first.
Common causes
Hidden leaksOil, coolant, transmission fluid and, on RVs, water leaks often show up as stains, residue or soft materials rather than an obvious puddle.
Cleared trouble codesCodes can be erased shortly before a sale. A scan tool can show whether the system readiness monitors have completed, which hints that codes were recently cleared.
Prior accident or flood damageMismatched paint, uneven panel gaps, silt in hidden areas and corrosion in odd places can point to past damage worth asking about.
Deferred maintenanceWorn brakes, old tires, dirty fluids and cracked belts add up. They are not deal breakers, but they belong in your price.
RV water intrusionFailed roof and window seals can rot the structure behind the walls. Soft floors, stains and delamination are warning signs.
Open recallsA vehicle can have unrepaired safety recalls. You can look these up by VIN before you commit.
What gets done where it's parked, and what needs a shop
Usually done on site
- Exterior and body check for rust, damage and repairs
- Under-hood inspection of fluids, belts, hoses and visible leaks
- Scan tool check for stored codes and readiness monitors
- Brake, tire and suspension check from what is visible at the wheels
- Test drive when the seller allows it and the vehicle is road legal
- RV and trailer house systems: roof, seals, slides, appliances, water and electrical
- Photos and a written summary of what was found
May need a shop or lift
- A close underbody inspection that needs the vehicle on a lift
- Compression or leak-down testing when an engine problem is suspected
- Frame or structural checks after suspected accident damage
- Detailed battery health testing on some EVs and hybrids that needs dealer-level tools
Every mechanic's setup is different. The one who accepts your request will tell you if your job needs a shop.
Before the mechanic arrives
- Get the seller's permission for an inspection and a test drive
- Share the year, make, model, VIN and the listing link or photos
- Ask the seller for any service records and have them available
- Ask that the vehicle not be driven or warmed up right before the tech arrives
- For an RV, ask that shore power, water and propane be available if possible
- Look up open recalls with the recall check tool
Photos of warning lights, leaks or damage help the mechanic bring the right parts. You can add up to five with your request.
Questions to ask when you get a quote
- What does your inspection cover, and what can you not check without a lift?
- Will I get photos and a written summary?
- Will you do a test drive, and do you need anything from the seller for that?
- For an RV, will you check the roof, slides, appliances and look for water damage?
- Which findings are safety issues versus normal wear I can plan for?
- Can you give me a rough idea of what each finding might involve to repair?
Trackara never handles payment for the work. You agree the price with the mechanic before they start, and you pay them directly. How to read a repair quote.
Vehicles this applies to
Mobile pre-purchase inspection: questions and answers
Yes. A mobile tech can go to where the vehicle is parked, inspect it, scan it for codes and test drive it with the seller's permission. You get an independent opinion before you pay.
Without a lift, parts of the underbody are harder to see, and nobody can see inside an engine or transmission without taking it apart. An inspection lowers your risk but does not guarantee future reliability. Ask the tech up front what is and is not included.
It is a good idea, because RVs have two sets of systems: the chassis or trailer running gear, and the house side with its roof, plumbing, electrical and propane appliances. Water damage from failed seals is common and expensive to fix. A tech who works on RVs can check both.
That is your call, but it is worth asking why. Many sellers are fine with it when you arrange it at their location and share the time. If they refuse, weigh that into how much risk you are willing to take.
Send a free request with the vehicle details, where it is parked and when it is available. A mechanic who covers the area and inspects that type of vehicle can quote before the visit.