Don’t Buy Someone Else’s Problem.
We meet you at the seller’s driveway or the dealer’s lot, put the vehicle through a full mobile inspection and hand you a written report you can use to walk away, negotiate or buy with confidence.
910-391-9810
An Honest Second Opinion Before You Hand Over Money
A used car looks its best in the seller’s driveway. The dash is clean, the codes have been cleared, and the test drive is around the block. The problems show up a month later, when the check-engine light comes back and the repair costs more than the discount you did not ask for.
A Grimm Repairs pre-purchase inspection puts a working mechanic between you and that outcome. We come to wherever the vehicle is — private seller, dealer lot, workplace — and go through it the way we would before putting our own name on it. Scan tool on the computer for stored, pending and recently-cleared codes. Brakes, tires and suspension measured, not glanced at. Fluids checked for condition and leaks. Charging and starting system tested. A road test where the seller allows it.
You get a plain-English written report with what we found, what it will cost to fix and what we would use it to negotiate. If the car is solid, we will tell you that too. The inspection is quoted upfront, flat-rate, before we roll out — and it is yours whether you buy the car or not.
- Full computer scan — stored, pending and recently-cleared codes, readiness monitors
- Brake pad and rotor measurements, brake fluid condition, parking brake
- Tires: tread depth, wear pattern and date codes
- Suspension and steering: shocks, struts, ball joints, tie rods, bushings
- Engine and transmission fluids — level, condition and active leaks
- Battery, charging and starting system test
- Belts, hoses, cooling system and visible engine bay condition
- Body, frame and underside check for accident repair, rust and prior damage
- Lights, HVAC, electronics and interior function check
- Road test for noises, shifting, pulling and braking feel (where permitted)
Any Seller. Any Lot.
Private seller
We meet you at their address. Most sellers are fine with it — the ones who refuse are telling you something.
Dealer lot
Independent and franchise lots alike. Book the inspection before you sit down to sign.
Out-of-town buyer
Cannot be there yourself? We can inspect on your behalf and send the report.
Negotiating leverage
A written list of what needs fixing, with costs, changes the conversation at the table.
Peace of mind
Sometimes the answer is simply that the car is good. That is worth knowing too.
Anything within 50 miles
Fayetteville, Spring Lake, Fort Bragg, Hope Mills, Raeford, Sanford, Southern Pines and beyond.
Straight Answers, No Runaround
How much does a pre-purchase inspection cost?
It depends on the vehicle and where it is sitting, so we quote it flat-rate and upfront when you call. You know the price before we roll out, and it is the same whether you buy the car or walk away.
What do I get at the end?
A written report in plain English: what we found, how serious it is, what it would cost to fix and what we would use to negotiate. Plus a straight verbal answer to the only question that matters — would we buy it?
Do I need the seller’s permission?
Yes — it is their vehicle until you pay for it. Tell them you are bringing a mobile mechanic to look it over. Almost every honest seller says yes. A refusal is useful information on its own.
Can you inspect a car I have not seen in person?
Yes. If you are out of town or deployed, we can meet the seller, inspect the vehicle and send you the report so you can decide from wherever you are. Talk to us about the arrangement when you book.
Can you fix what you find?
Usually. Brakes, batteries, alternators, suspension components, fluids and most common wear items can be done on-site once the car is yours — and having the inspection already done means the quote is ready.
Also Done On-Site
Found A Car? Get It Inspected First.
Tell us the year, make, model and where it is sitting. Flat-rate quote before we roll out.