Buying a Pre-Owned European Auto? Here’s Why You Need a Pre Purchase Inspection

People often underestimate the importance of investing in a pre-purchase inspection or second opinion when purchasing a pre-owned European Automobile. Whether it's your first Euro or your 10th, the small price you have to pay to have our certified technicians take a look at the vehicle before you buy it, will be well worth the investment. We offer pre-purchase inspections for European Car Brands including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, MINI Cooper, Porsche, Rolls Royce, and Volkswagen. If you are thinking about buying a European Luxury or Exotic Car from a private seller or a dealership, simply call us at (904) 270-9390 or check our online calendar here to confirm our availability for a pre-purchase inspection. We offer pre-purchase inspections Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm. For later hours or Saturday appointments, please call the shop. The cost for pre-purchase inspections on Audi, BMW, Mercedes, MINI Cooper, Porsche, and Volkswagen start at $344, plus shop fees, and it takes 3-4 hours to complete the inspection, however, we will usually need the car for a full day, and 100% is due prior to the appointment. For exotic cars or antiques, or when you request we diagnose a specific issue, additional time may be required and additional charges and labor rates will apply. We will not do a 15-mile road test on high-end vehicles over $100K unless requested by the customer.

Pre-Purchase Inspection Areas of Focus

Here is an overview of the areas we check during our pre purchase inspections for pre-owned European Automobiles:

Maintenance:

• Engine Oil
• Power steering fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Brake fluid
• Coolant
• Diesel exhaust fluid
• Front differential
• Rear differential
• Transfer case

Drive:

• Road test
• Alignment
• Dash warning light
• Wiper/arm
• Windshield
• Washer system
• Heating and A/C Horn

Lighting:

• All front headlights
• Headlights
• Front signal light
• Front running light
• Side marker light
• All rear lights
• Brake light
• Third brake light
• Rear signal light
• Tail light
• Back-up light

Under hood:

• Battery measurement
• Battery condition
• Drive belts
• Radiator, hoses/clamps
• Heater hoses/clamps
• Air conditioning hoses
• Alternator/starter
• Second ignition
• Positive crankcase ventilation
• Spark plugs
• Timing belt

Brakes:

• Pads
• Rotors
• Front pads
• Front rotors
• Front brake calipers
• Front brake lines/hoses
• Rear pads/shoes
• Rear brake rotors
• Rear brake drums
• Rear brake calipers
• Rear brake lines/hoses
• Parking brake

Under Vehicle:

• Steering components
• Front sway links/bushings
• Front joints and linkages
• Front shocks
• Front struts
• Front springs
• CV drive axle boots
• Front U-joint
• Check front differential for leaks
• Rear suspension components
• Rear shocks
• Rear struts
• Rear springs
• Rear sway links/bushings
• Rear joints and linkages
• Rear U-joint
• Rear CV drive axle boots
• Check rear differential for leaks
• Check for engine oil leaks
• Exhaust manifold
• Catalytic converter
• Exhaust pipes
• Muffler
• Body damage

Tires:

• Front tire tread wear
• Front tire balance
• Front tire size
• Front tire pressure
• Rear tire tread wear
• Rear tire balance
• Rear tire size
• Rear tire pressure
• Off season tires conditions