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The Best Vehicle Inspection Services

What's the Best Place to Get Vehicle Inspections?

Automobile inspections are an essential part of ensuring that your vehicle is safe and roadworthy. Whether you're buying your next car or just want to make sure that your current vehicle is compliant with state laws, it's important to have it inspected.

While it can be tempting to skip inspections to save time and money, the consequences of a neglected car can be dire, both for you and for others on the road. Fortunately, there are many businesses and services available to check into a car's history and make sure you're not getting scammed on your next car.

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 Vehicle Inspection Service Reviews

CARCHEX Review Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award 5 Star Rating

CARCHEX

5 Star Rating Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

CARCHEX is a reliable and well-established one-stop shop for automotive services, including vehicle inspections, protection, insurance, and finance. With over two decades of experience in the industry, CARCHEX helps customers with easy and accessible 24/7 service. The inspections start at $129.95 and there is an option to include CARFAX certification. With high ratings and positive reviews for their customer service as well as a full range of automotive services, CARCHEX is a trusted and convenient option for those looking for inspections. Despite having a modern website, CARCHEX easily makes it as our top option for this review.

Pomcar Review 4.5 Star Rating

Pomcar

4.5 Star Rating

In just a few years, Pomcar has established itself as a reputable pre-purchase inspection service with a customer-focused process. They offer competitive pricing for their comprehensive 270-point pre-purchase inspection - the highest number of points in this review - with three different tiers of inspection. Their network of experienced, ASE-certified technicians provide in-depth analysis with a professional eye. Although they don't have an online database of all inspected cars, Pomcar does provide sample inspection reports accessible from their landing page. Accredited by the BBB and with a positive reputation from customers, Pomcar easily secures the second-place spot in our review. Pomcar is slightly more expensive than our top option; however, it's extremely competitive and worth checking out.

Automobile Inspections Review 4 Star Rating

Automobile Inspections

4 Star Rating

Automobile Inspections stands out in our review as an international option. Open since 1995, they are working to serve long and short-distance car buyers across the USA and Canada. Their process is straightforward, with customers selecting their vehicle type online and providing the necessary details. The company offers competitive and transparent pricing, with reports covering the vehicle's condition and components. With an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive customer testimonials, Automobile Inspections' thorough service is worth the investment.

Car Saints Review 3.5 Star Rating

Car Saints

3.5 Star Rating

Car Saints is a service that connects buyers and sellers with experienced vehicle inspectors across the United States. They have a free database of previously inspected cars, so you can get an idea of what you're buying before you make any commitments if your car is listed. However, with some confusion about which pricing is active and limited reviews out there to help you make an informed decision, it sits a little lower compared to other inspection businesses. That being said, the reviews that do exist are overwhelmingly positive, so it might be worth giving them a shot. Overall, we think Car Saints is a solid midrange option if you're in the market for a vehicle inspector.

Lemon Squad Review 3 Star Rating

Lemon Squad

3 Star Rating

Ever heard of a lemon car? Basically, it's the junker of the lot, or the car nobody wants to end up with. It's broken and usually unsafe to drive (or it costs a whole lot to make it drivable). Well, LemonSquad might be a decent inspection option for you, but there are some things you should know before making a decision. Despite great packages and CARFAX reports, there are a few problems with this service. It's worth mentioning that the company recently got acquired and has received a less-than-stellar NR rating from the BBB. Plus, some customers have complained about incomplete inspections and difficulty getting in touch with customer service reps. So while LemonSquad is a middle-of-the-pack option with some good features, there are more trustworthy alternatives out there.

Pep Boys Review 2.5 Star Rating

Pep Boys

2.5 Star Rating

Compared to other options we reviewed, Pep Boys is a less extensive choice for vehicle inspections. It requires an in-person visit, which makes it less than ideal for individuals looking to buy a car, especially one that isn't nearby. Despite having inspectors who are ASE certified, Pep Boys receives little praise from reviewers. There are conflicting opinions on their effectiveness, prices, and reliability, with negative feedback vastly outnumbering positive reviews on all review sites. As customer satisfaction is crucial, particularly with regard to such an important aspect of people's lives as their cars, we give Pep Boys a below-average rating.

AIM Mobile Inspections Review 2 Star Rating

AIM Mobile Inspections

2 Star Rating

AiM has been in the vehicle inspection business for over a decade, operating in all 50 states and offering a range of inspection services for both new and used cars to verify their condition. However, AiM doesn't offer clear prices upfront, and their customer reviews are low, with many clients reporting issues with the accuracy of their reports and difficulty in reaching customer service representatives. While AiM has won some awards, it may be worth exploring other options if customer satisfaction is a top concern.

Your Mechanic Review 1 Star Rating

Your Mechanic

1 Star Rating

Your Mechanic is a company that seems to offer a pre-purchase vehicle inspection service. However, when delving into the details, it's clear that Your Mechanic doesn't actually perform its own inspections. Instead, they outsource to another company, which means Your Mechanic itself isn't doing the inspections. While they don't charge extra for a service completed by someone else, if you're looking for a company guarantee or a place that hires their own mechanics, Your Mechanic isn't it. For this reason, Your Mechanic ranks lowest in this review.

Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Regular vehicle inspections are required by law in most states. Inspections help to identify potential safety hazards before they become major problems. Regular inspections can also help you save money in the long run by catching minor issues before they turn into costly repairs. Most people can get a basic inspection done at their local mechanic.

Regardless of whether your car is coming from a dealership or through a private sale, it's always safer for you to get a vehicle inspection done. This is especially true in states like Florida, where regular inspections are not required by law. Whether it's a regular used car, a classic car, or an antique car, each comes with its own host of problems.

With classic cars, you can find parts that have been replaced or even the entire engine was taken out, making the classic car worth much less than the asking price. If you're buying from a dealership, usually these cars have been inspected already. If you want someone in your corner, though, hiring an outside inspector can help you avoid buying a lemon from the dealership or keep you from missing problems you'd be left repairing if you purchased the vehicle.

When it comes to finding a reputable inspection service, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, you want to make sure that the service is licensed and certified. This ensures that they are following state regulations and have the proper training and equipment to perform inspections correctly. This is especially important if you live somewhere where regular inspections are required by law.

If you're still not sure where to start looking for a good vehicle inspector, here are a few key factors to keep in mind:

  • Cost: Since many states require inspections, you don't want to be paying a ton of money regularly. Instead, look for a reputable option that charges competitive but fair rates. Value for your money is important, but safety is key with inspections.
  • Vehicle type: Not all cars are created equal. Most inspection services will offer a variety of car types, but you want to make sure your inspector services your specific needs. For example, most inspectors will service exotic cars, but not all will inspect antique cars.
  • Certification: Make sure that the inspection service that you're considering uses certified mechanics and professionals who know what they're looking for. This is especially important if your state requires inspections by law.
  • Service locations: It's important if you want to order an inspection online that they service the area where you or the car are located. Some offer nationwide service while others provide international services, allowing you to order inspections on cars in another country.

To help you feel confident about ordering your next vehicle inspection, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best companies that offer inspections online today. We hope this information helps you feel confident about your next car and supports you through your purchase or ongoing maintenance!

The Best Vehicle Inspection Services Compare Vehicle Inspection Services Compare Vehicle Inspection Service Reviews What are the best Vehicle Inspection Services Best Vehicle Inspection Service Reviews

Vehicle Inspection Service FAQ

Exactly what it sounds like: an evaluation of a car's primary systems (for example steering, suspension, or drivetrain). The extent of the inspection varies, from a basic "yes, this vehicle is drivable" to an in-depth bumper-to-bumper examination.
Most vehicle inspections are related to a sale. Prospective buyers often want reassurance that they're not buying a "lemon" , especially if they're looking at a car offered by a private seller and not a dealership.
Costs vary by provider and according to how extensive you want the vehicle to be evaluated. Expect to pay anywhere from $125 to $600, with higher costs for exotic or specialty models.
You're right to think that buyers will want to know that the car you're selling is reliable and doesn't have any undisclosed issues. However, paying for an inspection in advance might not reassure them - after all, you chose the mechanic. It might be wiser to wait until you have an interested buyer; you can then offer to cover or share the cost of an inspection by the mechanic of their choice.
Absolutely! Even cars that seem to be in pristine condition can still have hidden problems. Can you tell just by looking if the vehicle has been in an accident or if the electrical system is on the verge of shorting out? A vehicle inspection is a smart way to know exactly what you're getting, and you can use the information to help in the price negotiation process.
Fortunately, many vehicle inspection services are mobile. Wherever the car is located, the mechanic will meet you there and perform the inspection on-site.
Unfortunately, no. That's why it's important to choose an inspection service with a good reputation, because once the evaluation has been completed you're usually not able to get a refund if you're unhappy for some reason.
Many services offering vehicle inspections have been on the market for decades. It's always a good idea to see what previous clients have to say about any service you're considering, along with looking up the company's rating from the Better Business Bureau. You'll come away with peace of mind regarding the vehicle and the inspection service!
The Best Reviews of Vehicle Inspection Services