A pre-purchase inspection is the cheapest money in the used-vehicle market. An hour on a lift can reveal frame damage, a leaking head gasket, a transmission that is on borrowed time, or evidence of a repair done badly, and any one of those changes what the vehicle is worth.
This matters especially with diesel pickups, which is a lot of what people are shopping for around here. A used diesel truck can look immaculate and still be carrying a five-figure repair, and the seller may not even know it.
What we handle
Pre-purchase inspection
We inspect the vehicle you are considering and give you the findings in plain language, so you can negotiate or walk away with facts.
Diesel and work truck inspections
Diesel-specific checks matter, fluid condition, blow-by, cooling system condition, evidence of tampering or deleted equipment and previous repair quality.
Road trip and towing readiness
Before you load a trailer for the drive to the valley or across the state, brakes, cooling, tires and fluids are worth confirming.
Condition assessment
If you own the vehicle and want to know whether it is worth keeping, we give you a real assessment of what it needs and roughly what it costs.
What is included
- Inspection on the lift, including underbody, suspension, brakes, tires, driveline and leaks
- Fluid condition assessment and code scan for stored and pending faults
- Evidence of prior collision damage or poor-quality repairs where visible
- A clear verbal report of findings and what they mean for cost
What is not included
- Official Arizona emissions testing, which is performed at state-authorized stations
- A guarantee against future failures, which no inspection can honestly provide
What affects the price
We do not publish flat prices, because quoting a repair before diagnosing it is how people get surprised on the invoice. These are the factors that move the number on this type of job:
- How thorough an inspection you want, from a general check to a detailed pre-purchase assessment
- Vehicle type, since diesel trucks take longer than compact cars
- Whether diagnostic testing beyond inspection is needed to answer a specific question
- Whether the vehicle is brought in or needs to be assessed alongside a seller's timeline
How the job runs
- 1
Call and book
Tell us what you need to know and what the vehicle is.
- 2
Inspection on the lift
Underbody, mechanical systems, fluids and a scan for stored faults.
- 3
Findings explained
We tell you what we found, what matters, and what it is likely to cost to correct.
- 4
Decide with facts
You use the report to buy, negotiate, walk away or plan repairs.
Vehicle safety inspection
Safety inspections matter more in this part of Arizona than they do in flatter places. The grades around Prescott put sustained heat into brakes, the dirt and forest roads beat up suspension and tires, and a fault you could tolerate on level ground becomes a genuine hazard on a long descent with a trailer behind you.
This is also the inspection people ask for before handing keys to a teenage driver, before a long trip, or before putting a vehicle back on the road after it has been parked for a season.
Brakes measured, not eyeballed
Friction material thickness, rotor condition, hydraulic leaks, hose condition and brake fluid condition.
Steering and suspension play
Ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings, shocks and struts checked for the play and wear that causes wander and uneven tire wear.
Tires and wheels
Tread depth, age, uneven wear patterns, sidewall damage and correct pressures. Wear patterns also reveal alignment and suspension problems.
Lighting, wipers and visibility
Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, wipers and damaged lenses, the things that get you seen and let you see.
What is included
- Brake measurement and hydraulic system inspection
- Steering and suspension component check on the lift
- Tire condition, tread depth and pressure check
- Lighting, wiper and fluid leak inspection with a written summary of findings
What affects the price
- Vehicle type and how long it takes to inspect thoroughly
- Whether measurements reveal issues that need further diagnosis
- Whether wheels need to be removed for a proper brake measurement
- Any additional testing you request at the same time
- Does Arizona require an annual safety inspection?
- Arizona does not run a general periodic safety inspection program for ordinary passenger vehicles. People request these inspections voluntarily, or for a specific reason such as a used purchase or a long trip.
- What is the difference between this and a vehicle inspection?
- A safety inspection concentrates on brakes, steering, suspension, tires and lighting. A broader vehicle or pre-purchase inspection also assesses engine, driveline and overall condition.
- Will you fix what you find?
- Only if you want us to. We give you the findings and a quote, and the decision is yours.
- Can you inspect my trailer or work truck?
- Call the shop at (928) 710-1333 and describe the vehicle. We service work trucks and fleet vehicles regularly.
Where we do this work
All work is performed at our shop at 690 6th Street, Prescott, AZ 86301, Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 5:00pm. Customers regularly drive in from Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Dewey-Humboldt.