A pre-purchase inspection checks the car being considered, not a routine service item — frame condition, fluid leaks, tire wear patterns, brake and suspension condition, and a scan for trouble codes the seller may have cleared from the dash. San Francisco Auto Repair works from a written report the buyer can use to negotiate or walk away.
A seller who's cleared the check-engine light before listing the car doesn't show up on a test drive — only a scan tool catches it, and most private-party buyers don't carry one. The inspection also covers what a test drive can't: brake pad thickness, tire wear that points to an alignment problem, fluid that's leaking rather than just old, and rust or prior collision repair hidden under the trim.
Reports go to the buyer, not the seller, and note what's a negotiating point versus what's a reason to walk. A worn serpentine belt is a footnote; a frame that's been straightened after a collision is not.
What does the inspection actually cover?
The scope is wider than a test drive, and most of it happens with the car on a lift rather than on the road.
- A full diagnostic scan, including codes cleared from memory but still logged as pending
- Brake, tire, and suspension condition
- Fluid leaks and fluid condition under the car, not just under the hood
- Signs of prior collision repair — mismatched paint, overspray, panel gaps
How fast can I get an inspection done before the seller sells to someone else?
Private-party sales move fast, and a seller with another buyer waiting won't hold the car for long. Calling (628) 444-4559 ahead with the year, make, and model means the inspection is ready to start the moment the car's on the lift, instead of losing time to a walk-in queue.
Does it matter if the car is from a dealer or a private seller?
Dealer cars usually come with some paperwork already; private-party cars usually come with none. Either way, the inspection doesn't rely on what the seller says about the car's history — it's based on what's actually on the vehicle, done by the same technicians handling the shop's regular repair work. The 4.7-star rating from 77 Google reviews reflects that day-to-day work, not a separate inspection-only sideline.
Do I need to bring the car in, or can you come look at it?
The inspection happens at the shop, 7355 Geary Blvd, so the car needs to come to the lift — that's the only way to check the underside properly. If the seller won't allow a short drive to get it there, that's worth treating as its own red flag.
What if the inspection finds a problem — does that mean I shouldn't buy the car?
Not necessarily. Some findings are just leverage for a lower price; others are a reason to walk away entirely. The report separates the two so the decision isn't guesswork on the seller's driveway.
How is this different from the seller's own mechanic saying the car is fine?
A seller's mechanic works for the seller. This inspection is paid for by the buyer and reports to the buyer, which is the only way the findings aren't shaped by who's trying to close the sale.