STEP 01
Find your car
Found a used car worth pursuing? Send us the vehicle information — the VIN and where it's parked. We take it from there.
01 / PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION
Catch what they’re hiding.
The $4,000 repair they reset the codes on.
Before you buy a used car, Anthony dispatches a Master Certified Technician specialized in your make — to inspect it in person, scan every computer, pull wiped fault codes, and catch what the seller hoped you’d miss. So you know exactly what you’re buying.
200+
Module scan points
$2,180
Avg. buyer savings
1 in 3
Had hidden issues
Live Scan — OBD-II / CAN
SES-A7F2
VIN1HGCY1F38PA048392VEHICLE2021 Honda Accord Sport 2.0T
Module Scan0 / 7 Complete
ECMSCANNING
TCMQUEUED
SRSQUEUED
ABSQUEUED
BCMQUEUED
HVACQUEUED
TPMSQUEUED
Finding
Cleared P0420 — catalyst code reset 7 days before listing
- P0171Sys too lean (B1)HISTORICAL
- P0420Catalyst eff. below thresholdCLEARED 7d ago
- U0101Lost comm with TCMCLEARED 7d ago
- B1650Air bag PAD circuitFLAGGED
- P0300Random misfireINTERMITTENT
Recent Findings — Last 48h
· PREVIOUS COLLISION DETECTED — 2019 Ford F-150· ODOMETER ROLLBACK FLAGGED — 2018 Hyundai Sonata· SALVAGE TITLE UNDISCLOSED — 2020 BMW 3-Series· TRANSMISSION FLUID CONDEMNED — 2017 Honda Accord· AIRBAG MODULE CODES CLEARED — 2021 Toyota Camry· PAINT OVER-SPRAY ON ROOF — 2019 Mercedes C-Class· FRAME DAMAGE LF RAIL — 2018 Lexus RX350· CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAULT — 2020 Nissan Altima· PREVIOUS COLLISION DETECTED — 2019 Ford F-150· ODOMETER ROLLBACK FLAGGED — 2018 Hyundai Sonata· SALVAGE TITLE UNDISCLOSED — 2020 BMW 3-Series· TRANSMISSION FLUID CONDEMNED — 2017 Honda Accord· AIRBAG MODULE CODES CLEARED — 2021 Toyota Camry· PAINT OVER-SPRAY ON ROOF — 2019 Mercedes C-Class· FRAME DAMAGE LF RAIL — 2018 Lexus RX350· CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAULT — 2020 Nissan Altima
Every make we inspect — foreign, domestic, exotic, EV
Plus 25+ more makes including Porsche, Land Rover, Volvo, Mini, Volkswagen, Acura, Subaru, Mazda — ask about exotics.
02 / How it works
From listing to verdict in under 24 hours.
STEP 02
Book the inspection
Pick a time. Inspect First dispatches a Master Certified Technician specialized in your make and model — Honda, BMW, Tesla, Porsche, exotic, EV, fleet. The right specialist for YOUR vehicle.
STEP 03
We scan the car
Full diagnostic scan on every module. We recover wiped fault codes from the last 30 days. Paint-depth meter on every panel. Undercarriage check for frame damage.
STEP 04
You get the report
Fault-code explanations, repair-cost estimates, and a clear assessment — delivered before you purchase. A complete multi-point inspection in plain English.
STEP 05
We get on the phone
Anthony personally walks you through the findings. Use the report to negotiate, walk away, or buy with confidence.
The complete multi-point inspection
What your tech actually checks.
Hover any marker below to see the specific damage we catch, and the tool we use to catch it.21 sample points shown · 4 views
INS-MP / v4.2Complete multi-point physical inspection coverage© INSPECT FIRST
FIG. 01 — SIDE ELEVATION
FIG. 02 — FRONT
FIG. 03 — REAR
FIG. 04 — SIDE (LH)
HOVER ANY POINT · 21 SAMPLE POINTS · 4 VIEWS
POINT 01 / 21FIG. 01 — SIDE
Headlight & front-end assembly
WHAT WE CATCH
Aftermarket cluster swaps, collision-repaired reinforcement, mismatched bumper cover
TOOLS USED
Paint depth meter · VIN sticker check · Seam & panel-gap inspection
05 / Why you’ve never heard of this
Know what you’re buying
before you buy it.
A pre-purchase inspection should be mandatory in every pre-owned vehicle transaction. This service has existed for decades — just not for regular buyers. Here’s the media coverage and field reports that prove it.
As featured onABC 20/20FOX 5 I-TeamNBC TodayCBC MarketplaceConsumer ReportsNPR Planet Money
Watch — investigative segments
Read — field reports & consumer guides
GUIDE7 min read
Why a pre-purchase inspection beats Carfax every time
Carfax only knows what's been reported. The five categories of damage that never make it onto a vehicle history report.
Inspect First · Buyer Library→
INVESTIGATION12 min read
How rebuilt-title cars end up with clean titles in another state
Title-washing thrives in the gray spaces between state DMVs. How resellers exploit it — and how to spot the trail.
Inspect First · Buyer Library→
DATA5 min read
One in three used cars has an undisclosed mechanical issue
Three years of pre-purchase inspections show just how often problems are hidden or unknown at the point of sale.
Inspect First · Field Report→
HOW-TO9 min read
The South Florida flood-car checklist: signs a car was underwater
Hurricane-season floods push thousands of water-damaged cars onto Florida lots. The trunk-well test, the dashboard tell, the rust trail.
Inspect First · Buyer Library→
LAW8 min read
Your 'As-Is' rights: what Florida sellers legally have to disclose
As-is doesn't mean no recourse. The federal Used Car Rule plus Florida's Motor Vehicle Repair Act, in plain English.
Inspect First · Buyer Library→
STORY6 min read
The $14,000 Accord that had been underwater for 3 weeks
Flood cars from hurricane zones move fast. A buyer in Boca almost wired the money before our inspector opened the trunk wells.
Inspect First · Case Files→
New articles · Monthly
Buying a car soon? We’ll send the top 3 things to check first.
05 / How we compare
Carfax tells a story.
We tell the truth.
Inspect First | Carfax | Dealer inspection | “Mechanic friend” | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Certified Tech specialized in your make | Maybe | |||
| Full OBD-II module scan (every ECU) | ||||
| Recovers wiped / cleared fault codes | ||||
| Paint depth measurement on every panel | ||||
| Frame measurement (laser) | Maybe | |||
| Reports unreported accidents | Maybe | |||
| Vehicle-history cross-reference | ||||
| Written report + photo evidence | Maybe | |||
| Comes to the car (you don't drive it in) | Maybe | |||
| Phone consultation with the inspector | ||||
| Bilingual (English / Español) | Maybe | Maybe |
06 / Pricing
The cheapest insurance you’ll ever buy on a $20,000 decision.
A typical Inspect First inspection saves the buyer over $2,000 in undisclosed repairs or negotiated price reductions. Most are home before the seller knows what hit them.
Standard Inspection
Pre-purchase peace of mind for any used car under 10 years old.
$299per inspection
- Make-specialized Master Certified Technician on-site
- Full diagnostic scan — every module scanned
- Wiped fault code recovery (last 30 days)
- Paint depth, panel gap, frame measurement
- Photo evidence + written report (PDF)
- Verdict in plain English
Premium / Luxury
Foreign and exotic vehicles, vehicles 10+ years old, or anything with a salvage suspicion.
$399per inspection
Price based on the vehicle — ask about our discount rates.
- Everything in Standard
- Factory-trained specialist for your specific make (BMW, MB, Audi, Porsche)
- Borescope cylinder + cat back-pressure test
- Underbody on-lift inspection (when available)
- VIN history cross-reference vs. AutoCheck + NMVTIS
- Up to 90 minutes on-site
- Phone consultation with Anthony after the report
EV / Hyper-Exotic
Based on the vehicle and the specialist required for inspection.
Call for a quote
- Everything in Premium
- EV or exotic specialist dispatched (not a generalist)
- Battery state-of-health diagnostic
- EV-specific module scan (BMS, OBC, MCU)
- Charging port + DCFC handshake test
- Service history pull where available
- Optional: pre-auction inspection report
Prices reflect South Florida service area (Miami / Ft Lauderdale / Palm Beach + surrounding). Vehicles outside service area: call Anthony at 561-350-9389 for a quote.
04 / The deliverable
The report your buyer
actually understands.
Every inspection ends in a 1-word verdict, a dollar number, and a guideline for what to negotiate — for the seller to either repair the issues or adjust the price. Below is a real, redacted report from a 2021 Accord inspection — the buyer negotiated $4,200 off.
INSPECT-FIRST
PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION REPORT
REPORT IDIF-2026-0481923ISSUEDMAR 14, 2026
INSPECTED BY
Jared Varela
MASTER CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN · ASE L1 · 22 YRS
DISPATCHED BY Anthony Lapadula · OWNER / OPERATOR
VEHICLE INSPECTED
2021 Honda Accord Sport 2.0T
VIN
1HGCY1F38PA048392
ODOMETER
47,284 mi
LOCATION
Fort Lauderdale, FL
ASKING PRICE
$27,400
OUR VERDICT
NEGOTIATE
The car is mechanically sound but has undisclosed repair history and a failing catalyst. Offer $23,200 to cover confirmed repairs and diminished value.
Passed
2/5
Watch items
1/5
Flagged
2/5
Estimated repair + DV
$4,200
documented below · use to negotiate
Inspection
Multi-point
every system, every module
Previous front-end impact — not on Carfax
Radiator support shows weld repair. Paint depth on passenger fender: 8.2 mil (normal = 4–5). Airbags did not deploy, but damage was real.
Diminished value$2,400 – $3,800
Technical detail
Paint depth meter readings of 8.2–9.4 mil on the passenger fender vs. 4.1–4.7 mil elsewhere indicate aftermarket refinish. Radiator support shows grinding and weld repair consistent with a 15–25 mph impact. Airbag module shows no deployment event — likely below threshold or reset post-repair. Not reflected in Carfax or AutoCheck.
What to say to the seller
"This had undisclosed front-end damage — I can show you the paint-depth scans. I'd still consider the car, but not at the current price."
Evidence · 3 photos
FIG. 1.1
FIG. 1.2
FIG. 1.3
14 fault codes cleared in the last 30 days
Recovered historical codes show P0420 (catalyst), P0171 (fuel trim), U0101. Catalytic converter is failing — code will return within 500 miles.
Catalytic converter replacement$1,800 – $2,400
Transmission service overdue
ATF is dark amber with burnt odor. No service record past 46,000 mi. Not a crisis — but budget for it in the first 1,000 miles of ownership.
Transmission service$380
Compression & leak-down — healthy
All 4 cylinders: 175–182 psi. Leak-down under 8%. Engine is in solid shape for the mileage.
No action required$0
Frame & subframe within factory tolerance
6-point laser alignment matches OEM spec. No frame straightening, sectioning, or underbody repair found.
No action required$0
JV
Certified by Jared Varela, Master Certified Technician
ASE L1 · DISPATCHED BY ANTHONY LAPADULA · SIGNED MAR 14, 2026
07 / Buyer reports
Money saved.
Regret avoided.
Saved $4,200
“Anthony caught a previous accident on a 'clean Carfax' 2019 BMW. We saved $4,200 in negotiation. Worth every penny.”
Marcus R.
Miami, FL
2019 BMW 330i
Saved $8,400
“Cleared codes don't lie when you know how to recover them. He found three the seller swore weren't there. We walked away.”
Sofia K.
Boca Raton, FL
2020 Audi Q5 — walked away
Saved $2,800
“Got a real read on a Tesla Model 3 battery before I bought. Jared came out the same day. No more dealer warranty BS.”
Roberto M.
Doral, FL
2021 Tesla Model 3
Inspector · Jared Varela
Saved $3,100
“Mi inspector Adrian habló español conmigo. Encontró problemas con la transmisión que el vendedor escondió. Recomendado 100%.”
Elena V.
Hialeah, FL
2018 Honda Pilot
Inspector · Adrian
Sample testimonials. Real reviews aggregated from Google Business + Facebook. We’ll wire live reviews before launch.
08 / Meet the inspector
When you call,
Anthony picks up.
Owner / Operator
Anthony Lapadula — your direct line to the right specialist
Field photos · 01 / 06
Owner / Operator
Anthony Lapadula
- ● Owner / Operator — your direct contact
- ● Dispatches a Master Certified Tech for your make
- ● Network: domestic, exotic, classic cars, foreign automobiles, RVs, EVs, motorcycles — even your entire corporate fleet. Lot pricing available.
- ● Hablamos Español · Based in South Florida
No call centers. No subcontractor lottery. No “your inspector will reply promptly.”
Anthony runs Inspect First personally — but he’s not the wrench-turner. He’s the buyer’s advocate. When you call, he picks up. He asks what car you’re looking at. Then he dispatches the right Master Certified Technician for that specific make — Honda specialist for the Accord, BMW specialist for the 3-Series, Tesla specialist for the Model 3.
Then he walks you through the findings himself, on the phone. That’s the difference between those other subcontractors and a focused, specialized opinion on your specific vehicle.
200+
Inspection points
Same day
Report delivery
All FL
Service area expanding
EN / ES
Bilingual service
10 / Book your inspection
Three fields.
Anthony calls you back in 30 minutes.
Step 01Vehicle VIN
No VIN yet?
11 / FAQ
Common questions.
How quickly can you get to the car?
Same day in most cases. South Florida appointments typically scheduled within 24–48 hours. Call Anthony directly for emergencies.
What do I need to give you?
Just the VIN and the location of the car (address or ZIP). We coordinate with the seller directly so you don't have to.
Do you work with private sellers AND dealerships?
Yes. We have direct relationships with most South Florida dealerships and they expect us. For private sellers, we coordinate the meet-up.
What if the seller refuses an inspection?
Walk away. Sellers who refuse a pre-purchase inspection are hiding something. We've yet to meet one who refused who turned out to be honest.
Do you inspect EVs and exotics?
Yes. Battery state-of-health, BMS diagnostics, EV-specific modules, charging port handshake — for Teslas, Rivians, Lucids, etc. Same for Porsche/Lambo/Ferrari/McLaren tier exotics.
Is the inspection in English or Spanish?
Both. Anthony and his network speak fluent Spanish. Reports can be delivered in either language.
Will the report hold up if I need to walk away from the deal?
Yes. Reports include photo evidence, fault-code recoveries with timestamps, and repair-cost estimates from local labor rates. Built to support negotiation or a walk-away decision.
What if I need to inspect a car outside South Florida?
Call Anthony — he has trusted partner inspectors in other markets. We won't ship you to a stranger; if we can't do it personally, we'll tell you so.
Still have questions?
Call Anthony at 561-350-9389Catch what
they’re hiding.
A 30-minute call. A 2-hour inspection. A report that pays for itself before you sign. Anthony is one phone call away.
Hablamos Español · Mon–Sat · 8am–7pm ET