Pre-Purchase Inspection

What this certification means

Pre-Purchase Inspection is the credential for mechanics who evaluate used vehicles before customers buy. Covers structural, mechanical, electrical, and documentation checks — plus how to write a clean, professional report a buyer can act on.

What it covers

• VIN decoding and title/history verification
• Frame and structural damage inspection
• Corrosion patterns and hidden rust
• Powertrain evaluation without teardown
• Fluid analysis: color, smell, contamination
• Suspension, steering, and tire wear reading
• Brake system inspection and pad-life estimation
• Interior, electrical, and HVAC function checks
• Test-drive protocol and diagnostic scan procedure
• Report writing: what to include, what to escalate, what to skip

Who this is for

Mobile mechanics, independent inspectors, and shops that offer PPI as a paid service. Also complements the external prepurchaseauto.com toolkit.