If you've been quoting pre-purchase inspections around Hamilton, you'll have noticed the prices vary more than you'd expect for what sounds like the same service. Some of that comes down to what's actually included, and it's worth understanding before you pick based on price alone, because the cheapest option isn't always the cheapest option once you factor in what it misses.
At the lower end, some inspections are really just a visual check and a test drive, done in a driveway or car park without hoist access. That rules out a proper look at the underbody, which is exactly where rust, leaks, and worn suspension components show up on cars that have been through a few Hamilton winters. It's quick and it's cheap, but it's also the inspection most likely to miss something that costs you thousands after you've bought the car.
A proper inspection costs more because it includes things the driveway version skips: hoist time for a full underbody check, an ECU diagnostic scan for stored fault codes, brake and tyre measurements rather than a glance, and a written report you can actually use to negotiate or walk away. The extra cost is small compared to what you're about to spend on the car itself, and it's tiny compared to the cost of a transmission or engine problem that surfaces a few weeks after you've paid for the car.
The other thing worth asking about is who's doing the inspection. Some pre-purchase inspection services are set up purely to inspect, with no ongoing relationship to the car afterward, which is fine, but it means there's less incentive to be thorough about problems that might only show up later. A workshop that also does the repairs has more reason to catch everything properly the first time, since you might be back if something was missed.
We're upfront about our pricing when you call, and we'll tell you honestly if a car needs more than the standard pre-purchase inspection covers, rather than upselling you on things you don't need. Call 07-846-2137 for a quote before you commit to buying.
