Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

What is a pre-purchase inspection?

What does a pre-purchase inspection look at? I've read that a pre-purchase inspection can save you from buying a lemon.

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“A pre-purchase inspection, or PPI, is an inspection given by an independent, qualified technician to determine the mechanical, cosmetic, and safety conditions of a given vehicle.
As far as who can give a PPI, it’s pretty wide open. Some companies offer these services, while getting one from a mechanic that you trust is also a viable option.
It can be a bit tricky to coordinate a PPI, especially if you’re buying a car far away. You usually have to take the car to a mechanic before buying it, and not every seller is comfortable with that.
If you can work with the seller to get the car to a mechanic, a PPI typically costs between $100 and $200 and y is well worth it to make sure you
don’t buy a lemon
.
Once you buy your new (to you) car, don’t forget that you’ll need to get your new ride insured. Try using the
Jerry
app to compare rates from 50 of the top providers and get the best deals delivered to your phone in minutes. And the best part–Jerry does this for free.”
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings