Used Car Buying Help:

  600-Point Pre-Purchase Inspection
  Top 10 Buying Myths and Mistakes
  Why use Auto P. I. Used Car Inspections?
  The 1-2-3 Steps of Buying a Used Vehicle
  Master Technicians & Frame Specialist
  Why Frame Inspections are Critical
  Determining the True Value of a Used Vehicle
  Used Car Industry Scams and Practices
  Helpful Links and Titling Information
  Auto P. I. FAQ's

Buyer Beware:
  A CARFAX Report is NOT an Inspection
  Certified Used Car Drawbacks
  Other Types of Used Car Inspections
  Voided Factory Warrantee on Used Cars
  The "AS-IS" Sale Document
  Odometer Fraud at  High Levels
  Totaled and Flooded  Vehicles on Lots 
  Title Cleaning and Title Fraud
  An Individual Seller or Curbstoner?
  10 Things Your Mechanic Won't Tell You




Frequently Asked Questions
  1. What is the difference between a Auto P. I. Inspection and a repair shop inspection?

  2. Can you tell me the value of the car?

  3. Do you recommend any used car dealers?

  4. Isn't there a 3 day or 72 hour grace period? Can I take the car back to the dealership if I'm having problems?

  5. How soon can I get the report if I'm not there?

  6. Do you do repairs?

  7. Where do I go for repairs?

  8. Can I get an inspection on my own car?

  9. Do you perform State inspections?

  10. Can I schedule an inspections and cancel?

  11. Why don't you list your price on your home page?

1. What is the difference between a Auto P. I. Inspection and a repair shop inspection?
First, Auto P. I. does not perform any repairs, this allows us to be unbiased when we inspect a vehicle.
Second, all of our Inspectors are ASE Certified Master Technicians and frame certified, where most repair shops do not employ ASE Master Technicians and Frame Certified Tecnicians. Third, we only perform a pre-purchase 600-point inspection, we don't sell any aftermarket products or services.

Auto P. I.'s ASE Master Technicians Inspectors are certified to inspect every automotive component and system, not just a few. Most repair shop technicians usually specialize in only a few automotive areas and are not frame certified. Auto P. I. will give you an honest assessment of the vehicle and will not suggest repairs are not needed.

2.  Can you tell me the value of the car?
You can obtain the approximate value from various websites. Look for "used car pricing" or contact your loan officer or credit union and ask for the NADA retail value. An Auto P. I. inspection will let you know the true condition of the vehicle and the cost of any needed repairs. You can take that information and adjust the price of the vehicle to obtain the approximate value of the vehicle.

3.  Do you recommend any used car dealers?
Each vehicle must be judged on its merits. We do not endorse or rate used car dealerships. All reputable dealers will encourage you to have a vehicle independently inspected before purchase.

4.  Is there a 30 day or 72 hour grace period? Can I take the car back to the dealership if I'm having problems?
In the State of Texas there is NO used car Lemon Law, NO 30 day law, NO 3 day or 72 hour take back period for used vehicles. When purchasing a vehicle form a dealer, you are required to sign an "AS IS" document. If a dealer gives a guarantee, be sure you understand the limitations of the guarantee before you sign the document.

5.  How soon can I get the report if I'm not there?
The Inspector will contact you as soon as he has finished the inspection. This phone consultation will give you all the pertinent information to conclude your deal. The Inspector will also email a copy of the report to you when he returns to the office.

6.  Do you do repairs?
We do not perform any repairs. This allows us to be totally unbiased when we inspect a vehicle.

7.  Where do I go for repairs?
We do not endorse any repair shop. We suggest that you get at least 3 estimates for any needed repair. Be sure that the repair shop guarantees their work and that they are ASE Certified in that area of repair.

8.  Can I get an inspection on my own car?
Many people have us inspect their car before their warrantee expires or inspect their car to determine any needed repairs.

9. Do you perform State inspections?
We do not perform state inspections. However, click here to find the the closest state inspection location in your zip code.

10. Can I schedule an inspection and cancel?
Make sure that you inform the seller or salesperson of your scheduled inspection time. There is no charge if you cancel your appointment 2 hours in advance. If the vehicle is not able to be inspected we charge "no show" fee of $50.

11. Why don't you list your price on your home page?
We want to make sure you compare "apples" to "apples". Any company or repair shop can say they offer a pre-purchase inspection, and any person can perform an inspection. However, Auto P. I. uses only ASE Master Certified Technicians. This means our Inspectors are certified on every automotive system, not just a few. Our Inspectors are also Certified in Frame Analysis to properly detect previous accident damage and shoddy frame repairs. Our vans are fully equipped with all the necessary diagnostic tools, hydraulic lifts and computer testing equipment. We do not perform any type of repairs, so there is no conflict of interest. We have been used by the BBB, Attorney General's Office, and we are endorsed by the Texas Credit Union League. We have been featured 3 times on ABC NEWS 20/20 and we are used by the news media on stories about used cars and the used car industry. We have performing professional pre-purchase inspections since 1990. When you know all the facts and compare "apples" to "apples", our price of $139, for most vehicles foreign and domestic, is a great value.

Don't Buy a Used Car With Past or Current Problems
Know the True Condition by Scheduling Auto P. I.'s 600-Point Inspection.

Expert Advice on Wheels

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