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A pre-purchase inspection at Route 66 Auto Repair in Upland shows you the real condition of a used vehicle before you pay for it. We offer one level, the deluxe PPI: a printed checklist, underbody photos, a full-module scan, a road test, a second sign-off and a written buy-or-walk letter. Every box gets filled in on every inspection. If a box is empty, it is not deluxe.
Why inspect a used car before you buy it?
Buying used is where people lose the most money in the fewest minutes. What you cannot see from the curb is the oil leak at the back of the engine, the torn CV boot throwing grease, or the airbag module holding a stored fault the dash does not show yet.
A PPI puts the vehicle on a lift and puts the findings in writing before your money changes hands. If the news is bad, walking away costs far less than the repair. If the news is good, you buy with a clear head.
What's on the deluxe PPI checklist?
Every line is completed on every deluxe inspection, and you get the paper.
Included on the work order
- 01Printed checklist covering the engine bay, underbody, brakes, tires, steering, suspension, lights and interior controls
- 02Underbody photos of the frame rails and crossmembers, including rust, bends and repair welds
- 03Underbody photos of leaks: engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid and power steering fluid
- 04Underbody photos of splash shrouds and the rubber boots on the axles and steering
- 05Full-module scan of engine, transmission, ABS, airbag, body and other modules, with stored and pending codes recorded
- 06Road test in town and at freeway speed for shifting, braking, steering pull, noises and warning lights
- 07Second sign-off: another technician or service writer reviews the checklist and photos before release
- 08Written buy-or-walk letter summarizing what we found and what it means for you
What does "if a box is empty, it is not deluxe" mean?
A PPI with no underbody photos, no module scan or no road test is not a deluxe PPI, whatever the paperwork says. The second sign-off exists to catch exactly that. If something could not be done, for example a vehicle that is not safe to road-test, the checklist says so and says why.
What is in the buy-or-walk letter?
The letter is a one-page summary in plain words. It lists the findings that affect safety or could strand you, the items that can be scheduled later, and anything we could not check. It ends with our read on the vehicle: buy, buy with the listed repairs in mind, or walk.
The letter is an opinion based on what we saw that day. The decision stays with you. Many buyers use it and the photos to ask the seller for a lower price or a repair first. If you buy the vehicle, the letter becomes the starting point for a written estimate, built the way our pricing page describes.
What does a pre-purchase inspection not cover?
We would rather say this before the sale than after it.
- It cannot promise that a part will not fail later. Some failures give no warning.
- It cannot see inside sealed components such as engine internals, transmission clutches or differential gears without taking them apart.
- It does not replace a title or history check. Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup (opens in a new tab) and a vehicle history report on your own.
- It is not a state emissions test, and we do not perform those.
- It covers the checklist. Anything outside it is noted only if we happen to see it.
What should you bring to a pre-purchase inspection?
- The VIN (vehicle identification number), so we can confirm the vehicle and you can check recalls first.
- Seller permission to put the vehicle on a lift and road-test it. Most honest sellers agree.
- A realistic time window. Plan for the vehicle to be here for part of the day. We give you a look window at booking and text you if it slips.
- Your questions. If the seller mentioned a past repair or a noise, tell the service writer.
Buying a used truck, a Marketplace car or an auction vehicle?
Used trucks: we pay extra attention to the frame, the hitch area, the rear axle, transfer case leaks on four-wheel drives, and signs of hard towing such as dark transmission fluid. Diesels are welcome. Planning to tow up the Cajon Pass? Tell us, and the letter will cover it. Suspected crash damage can be looked at more closely with a frame damage inspection.
Facebook Marketplace and private sales: ask the seller to meet you at our shop on Foothill Blvd. It is a busy public spot, and a seller who will not come is telling you something.
Auctions and dealer lots: many auctions do not allow a lift inspection before bidding. If the vehicle can reach us before the sale closes, we inspect it the same way; if not, we can inspect it right after purchase so you know what to fix first. For a hybrid, tell us it's a hybrid at intake and we'll explain what we can take on.
How the deluxe PPI works, step by step
Step 1: Book
Call or use the contact form and choose Deluxe pre-purchase inspection. The fee is stated when you book.
Step 2: Check in
We confirm the VIN and note the mileage and warning lights.
Step 3: Inspect and photograph
A technician works through the printed checklist on the lift and photographs the frame, leaks, shrouds and boots.
Step 4: Scan and road test
We run the full-module scan, then road-test the vehicle in town and at freeway speed.
Step 5: Second sign-off
Another technician or service writer reviews every line and every photo.
Step 6: Letter
You get the checklist, photos and buy-or-walk letter, explained in person or by phone.
How do you book a deluxe pre-purchase inspection?
Call (909) 608-7699 or use the contact form and choose "Deluxe pre-purchase inspection" from the service list. Tell us the year, make and model, and where the vehicle is now. We are at 1775 W Foothill Blvd in Upland, open Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 2 PM. We take cards and cash.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a pre-purchase inspection take?
Plan on part of the day. The checklist, photos, scan, road test and second sign-off take real time, and we will not rush the review. We text you if the look window will slip.
Is there a shorter, cheaper version?
No. The deluxe PPI is the only pre-purchase inspection we offer. We would rather do one inspection completely than sell a short version that misses things. Every job gets the full checklist, photos, scan, road test, second sign-off and letter.
Do I have to be there during the inspection?
No. Many buyers are not, and the seller can bring the vehicle as long as we have your contact details and their permission. The letter and photos go to you, the person who booked.