Frequently Asked Questions
Note: Some questions on this page describe certain typical practices, but it is important to note that there are dealers, Extended Warranty Companies, etc. who do not follow the described "procedures", and who would rather lose a few bucks but will keep you as a customer for years to come. It's just amazing that not all understand this "good business practice"... At this time, we are in the process of negotiations with a few dealerships that understand what "customer satisfaction" is, and how we can be of assistance in this area. Once we get positive results, we'll post them on our site.

Use links below to go directly to the question you are interested in.
Q: Why should a used vehicle be inspected prior to the final decision?
A: Very few - if any - used vehicles are in a perfect shape. Many require multi-thousand dollar repairs immediately after - or rather before - the sale. We have done inspections of vehicles that needed new engines, transmissions, etc. Keep in mind that an Extended Warranty policy you might have purchased will NOT cover repairs in this case since the defect is "pre-existing". In other words, you are the one who will be footing the bill. This consideration alone justifies our reasonable inspections charges especially considering the fact that a single repair - no matter how minor - will cost you significantly more! And we have not even mentioned a possibility of safety-related malfunctions...
Q: Why should I inspect a leased vehicle prior to turning it in?
A: You drop the vehicle off at a dealership, and it make take months before the leasing company picks it up, or makes other arrangements. In the meantime, the vehicle may get damaged by hail, various "normal" parking lot misfortunes, suffer from vandalism, etc., and you are the one responsible for any damage incurred. Having a detailed report covering mechanical condition as well as appearance is an essential step in avoiding possible complications. A leasing company attempted to charge one of our customers $6,000 for "excessive wear and tear" to the vehicle, and if he did not have our report, he'd have hard time fighting.
Considering all of the above, $77.00 including photographs to suppert the case is a very reasonable price for piece of mind!
Q: What if I have or am planning to purchase an Extended Warranty Contract?
A: As we have mentioned in the previous question, no Extended Warranty contract covers "pre-existing" conditions as well as there is no Extended Warranty that covers everything. One example of a non-covered failure would be rust or corrosion. There are literally hundreds of provisions and exclusions in every contract that a person not related to this specific industry is unable to comprehend. By the way, our inspector can be a great source of help in this area as well.
Q: Why should I have the vehicle inspected if a dealer technician had already done that?
A: To answer this question we need to explain how the system works. Used vehicles generally have two ways of getting to a dealer's lot. First, they are traded in by customers who buy new ones, the second - from an auction.
Obviously, people are more likely to get rid of a vehicle if it started to break down on a regular basis, or when they learn that a major defect is about to develop. Auction vehicles are those repossessed by banks, former rentals, and similar sources. This origin obviously is not an indication of good handling and religious maintenance.
In both cases a used car manager is in charge of purchasing. This person is not a mechanic, and the only evaluation done at acquisition time is a road test around the block.
Once the vehicle is acquired, it's sent to a pre-delivery inspection. A dealership technician checks it out and compiles a list of what is needed to be fixed. Typically, a pre-delivery inspection takes about 30 minutes. Our inspection, on the other hand, takes over two hours. This means that during a typical dealer pre-delivery inspection, many defects are not discovered. Once the list of [discovered] defects is presented to the used car manager, he makes the final determination how to deal with it. Normally, they fix scratches, dents, etc. and obvious safety-related items. The bottom line is: the more a dealer spends on a pre-delivery preparation and repairs, the less their profit is.
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Q: What if a dealer gives me some warranty?
A: Definitely, this is better than nothing but keep in mind that dealerships have different standards for different situations.
For instance, if a customer brings their vehicle in for service, and the customer is the one who's paying the bill, their standards are extremely strict, and any imperfection will be considered a must to repair. In many cases, they will insist on replacing components "based on mileage" alone. However, if it comes to a defect of a vehicle they sold, it will more likely to be found acceptable. The standard line in this case is: "We do not recondition our used vehicles, we only do a safety inspection".
And a "safety inspection" is done according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Here is an example. GM allows a lower ball joint play up to 1/8", and the fact that half of that play makes the vehicle wonder all over the road is not a factor.
Another example. The same GM - and some others as well - state that the alternator output between 13.0v and 16.0v is normal. In fact, 13.0v will ruin the battery because it will constantly stay undercharged, and may prevent the vehicle from starting in a cold weather especially after a long trip in traffic with headlights and other accessories on. Ever wondered why your battery lasted only three years or less? Now, what happens if the alternator output is 16.0 v? It will ruin the battery as well because the acid will boil, and sulfate will accumulate on the plates thus reducing their active area. But this is a relatively minor problem. Too high voltage also will cause electrical and - most importantly - computer equipment malfunction resulting in repeated failures.
Unfortunately, none of the above or similar concerns will be addressed by a dealer since they are "within manufacturer's specifications", and none of them will be covered by ANY warranty, including Extended Warranty.
It's one thing to have warranty, and yet quite another to get repairs done when you need them, and the best time for ANY negotiations is before you signed the papers. To make it short, the only opinion you can trust can come from an independent Inspector who has no vested interest in the matter this wat or ther other.
Q: Why should I use your services rather than somebody else's?
A: First of all, our integrity and honesty are NOT jeopardized by conflict of interests. Our Inspectors are completely impartial - they do not have ANY relationship with dealerships or repair shops, therefore, they are not interested in you buying (or not buying) any particular vehicle. We will not try to sell you another car or make money on repairs of the one in question.
Just a reminder: in case you decide not to buy the vehicle we inspect, we will re-inspect another one within two weeks following the first inspection at 20% off our regular price, all rebates and discounts will apply as well.
The second reason is the highest level of expertise our Inspectors possess. Due to a specific nature of our profession, we have been working with virtually every single type of vehicle sold in the US since the early 80's. What we do somewhat resembles what a mechanic does but with some important differences. Here are a few of them.
Our customers expect us to find out specific details such as WHY it broke, whose fault it was, and what it would take to fix the problem in the "most cost effective manner". This is not a simple thing to answer these questions reliably without teardown. And reliability is the key word considering the amounts of money involved. We've been involved in cases with stakes exceeding $10,000. Other aspects that need to be taken into consideration are:
  • Unlike some of our competitors who charge by an hour, we charge a flat fee.
  • Our Inspectors have performed tens of thousands of inspections, and their expertise in this particular area - Mechanical Automotive Inspections - is exceptional - our Inspectors are the best in the field.
  • Since we do not take anything apart but still are expected to provide a high level of accuracy, we use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment not all dealers have. For example, we have already mentioned electronic multi-channel stethoscope that allows listening to suspension and other noises while on the road test. In many cases, this is the only way to determine condition of a sealed component like a ball joint, a strut or a shock absorber. Abnormal noise is often the first indication of an upcoming engine, transmission or differential failure. The ability to detect the exact location is critical for correct determination of the most likely source that, in turn, helps to predict cost of repairs and other implications more accurately.
    Another piece of equipment we use that you are unlikely to see at a dealership is a fiber optic bore scope. This is a high tech device that allows to look into the engine cylinders, transmissions, differentials and other places otherwise inaccessible without extensive (and expensive) teardown.
    An engine diagnostic scanner is yet another sophisticated device we utilize.
    And finally, you can visit the site of our "national" competitor by following this link. This is a very "quick" approach - make sure you see their sample report - yet a little cheaper than our inspection. There are companies that will charge you $59.99 for "appraisal" without even looking at the vehicle. Compare depth and thoroughness of what they offer with our inspection (see our SEVEN-PAGE REPORT).
    Note: If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader to open a pdf file, follow this link.
    Visit the Services & Prices page for detailed list of items we inspect. This information will help you make an informed and intelligent decision.
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Q: Local vs. National chain
A: There is a number of things to consider:
  • National chains use "Independent Contractors", and have no control over their quality of work, diagnostic equipment (if any) they use and other crucial aspects.
  • National chains normally pay around 50% of what their customers are charged. That means that even an already limited list of procedures they promise to perform is likely to be even shorter since the inspector needs to do more inspections to survive.
  • There also is a psychological factor - the Inspector works "for them" rather than for you.
  • Should you need assistance or have questions, you contact the company's secretary and get "someone will (either will or will not) get back to you within 48 hours" meaningless response. When you call us, you get connected with the Inspector who is qualified to answer ALL of your questions - technical or procedural - on the spot.
Q: How do I set up an inspection?
A: Just call us @720-242-5978
Q: How long does the inspection last?
A: Normally, it takes 1.5-2.5 hours to complete an inspection. We do not charge by an hour so you do not have to worry about being overcharged or otherwise taken advantage of.
Q: Do I have to be present during the inspection?
A: No, it is not a requirement but it's in your best interest to be present.
Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: In prder to be able to keep low prices - and our prices have not risen in ten years - we accept cash only. This may represent certain inconvenience but try to name a single business that kept the same price of their service since Bush took the office for the first time?
Q: What are your business hours?
A: We operate during daylight hours seven days a week.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: An inspection can be cancelled at any time up until one hour prior to the appointment time. If the inspector arrives to the site, and the inspection does not take place at no fault of ours, there maybe a charge of up to $50.00 depending on the distance the inspector had to travel.
Q: How long in advance should I make an appointment?
A: We realize how difficult it can be to match your availability with the seller’s, that’s why in most cases, an inspection can be arranged the same day but the next day appointments are preferred.
Q: Is your work guaranteed?
A: No. There is no such thing as guarantee in the Auto Inspections Industry. Please see the Service Terms section on the Service And Prices page for more details.
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