Pre-Purchase Inspection

"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly) 02/20/2018 at 14:18 • Filed to: My wife will not be amused, Pre-Purchase Inspection, PPI

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If you have had a PPI performed, did you use a dealer of the car’s brand, or did you use an independent shop? Which might be preferred for, say, a C5 Corvette (hypothetically)?

I hope to use this knowledge eventually, even if it isn’t for the car I’ve been discussing today.

I would think that a dealer might list every little thing, hoping to get the service work done there. This may not actually work well for me if it is clear that I live out of town. But a dealer might also have some history on the car of their own.

An independent shop would seem hard to choose - how would you know that they understood the car or would thoroughly assess the condition?

Obvious exception would be very specialty cars such as a Ferrari or Lotus where independent garages ARE specialty garages.

Arrivederci > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/20/2018 at 14:34

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For a Corvette, I would prefer a specialist over dealer, I think. Go on CorvetteForum and to the regional forum wherever the car is located. Ask if anybody has a shop recommendation for a PPI.

The only PPI’s I’ve paid for have been to actual Porsche dealers, as I wasn’t able to find a reputable specialist shop nearby.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/20/2018 at 14:34

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I had a PPI done on my ZHP before I bought it, they found busted control arm bushings and worn out rear tires. My PO was meticulous about upkeep, so I didn’t find anything else wrong with it. If it was local I’d feel OK with using a known 3rd party, but if you are out of state I’d want to use a dealer as their quality is more of a known quantity.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/20/2018 at 14:35

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My family has always used an independent shop, but the most fancy things we’ve gotten are an 05 Acura TSX and 98 Lexus GS300, so nothing that rare or uncommon.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Arrivederci 02/20/2018 at 14:39

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Great idea on checking on a forum.

Spanfeller is a twat > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/20/2018 at 14:42

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It depends, how reasonable is the price? the lower it is, the less you should trust the dealer.


I’d go to a specialist as Arrivederci said.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/20/2018 at 14:44

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When my friend bought his Cabby he actually used the MyMechanic PPI. The mechanic drove out to look at it and gave a pretty good report, though he missed some stuff due to lack of access to a lift. There was a lot wrong with that car, so I think he could be forgiven for missing a few things.

Downside is I’m sure every inspector is a little different.

Takuro Spirit > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/20/2018 at 14:50

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I would tend to take it to the place where the people looking at it KNOW what to look for, because they see them every day, and know what the major issues are.

Like a Chevy dealer that sells a LOT of Vettes, or a Vette specialist shop.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/20/2018 at 14:52

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Marque/model specific independent shop > dealership > most layperson shops

You would think dealerships would have the best knowledge, but the truth is that for anything more than a couple of years old they’re not going to be as up to date as a brand/model specific indy shop that sees non-warranty claims day in and day out. I would probably avoid getting a PPI at a run of the mill corner auto shop, though; they may or may not be qualified, but I want model specific expertise when I’m getting a PPI.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/20/2018 at 15:01

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I’ve used an independent shop for PPI’s twice. For a C5, I would check the forums to see if there is a recommended shop in the area. I wouldn’t really trust a run-of-the-mill Chevy dealer to give you detailed results. It would probably look a lot like a basic “inspection” they do when your car is serviced.

Thomas Donohue > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/20/2018 at 15:04

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One downside to a dealer PPI (other than cost) is that the dealer likely would want to sell you something off their own lot. So, they might be tempted to pad the repair estimates.

This may work in your favor when negotiating with the seller, but won’t give you an accurate picture of what really needs to be addressed with the car.

Future next gen S2000 owner > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/20/2018 at 15:31

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Specialty shop if they exist for a specific model. Something more run of the mill, any garage that specializes in the make is probably okay.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Thomas Donohue 02/20/2018 at 15:33

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Service and sales are two separate departments. Service doesn’t give two shits about what happens in sales and would usually rather see the sales dept get screwed with because they waste service’s time all the damn time.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/20/2018 at 15:36

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Less than 5 years old dealer only. 5-15 years dealer or specialist indie. More than 15 years specialist indie. Used a dealer when I had a PPI soon my 55. I also requested a specific tech do the work since he’s a friend of a coworker. But you can request that a more experienced tech be the one to look it over, not that they’ll necessarily listen depending on the dealer of course.

Dogsatemypants > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/20/2018 at 15:38

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Anything “high performance” or euro take to a specialist. They will know to look for issues more common to that vehicle.