Standard inspection · $299 · South Florida
Pre-purchase car inspection in South Florida
A Master Certified Technician who specializes in your car's make inspects it where it sits. Anthony Lapadula dispatches the specialist and walks you through the report the same day.
A pre-purchase car inspection is an independent check of a used car before you pay for it. Inspect First sends a technician who works on that make to the dealer lot, the seller's driveway or a parking lot anywhere in South Florida. The technician scans every control module, recovers fault codes that were cleared before the sale, measures paint depth on every panel, checks the frame and underbody and looks for flood damage. You get a written report with photos the same day and a phone call from Anthony to decide whether to buy, negotiate or walk away.
The short version: $299, a make specialist comes to the car, every module is scanned, and you get the report and a call the same day. Most used cars under 10 years old fall under this inspection.
Who is the Standard inspection for?
- Any used car under about 10 years old from a dealer or a private seller
- Buyers comparing two or three cars on different lots in one day
- Out-of-state buyers who need the car checked before they travel
- Anyone who was handed a clean history report and wants proof
What does the Standard pre-purchase inspection check?
Every control module, not just the engine light
A full diagnostic scan of every module on the car: engine, transmission, ABS, airbags, body and infotainment. Stored, pending and history codes are read, not just the ones that turn on a dashboard light.
Fault codes cleared before the sale
Sellers often clear codes the morning of the sale. The technician recovers recently cleared faults and checks whether the readiness monitors have completed, which tells you if the memory was wiped.
Paint depth on every panel
A paint-depth reading on each panel shows repainted or filled panels that a clean history report never recorded. Panel gaps and bolt marks are checked for signs of replaced parts.
Frame, underbody and flood indicators
Frame measurements and weld inspection for prior collision repair, and the corrosion, silt, moisture and electrical faults that water damage leaves behind. South Florida sees both after every hurricane season.
Mechanical condition and a road test
Fluids, leaks, belts, hoses, brakes, tires, suspension and a road test where the seller allows one. Age-related wear on low-mileage cars is checked too.
Photo evidence and a plain-English verdict
Every finding is photographed and written up with a plain-English verdict and the questions to put to the seller, so the report works as a negotiating document.
How much does it cost?
Standard Inspection
$299Pre-purchase peace of mind for any used car under 10 years old.
- 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
Other inspections: Premium / Luxury pre-purchase inspection · EV and exotic pre-purchase inspection
How does the inspection work?
- 01
Send Anthony the VIN and the location
Text or call 561-350-9389 with the listing link or VIN and where the car is: a dealer lot, a driveway or a parking lot anywhere in Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach. Anthony confirms the make, the seller and which inspection applies.
- 02
Anthony dispatches the right specialist
A Master Certified Technician who works on that make goes to the car, usually within 24 to 48 hours and often the same day. You do not need to be there.
- 03
The car is inspected where it sits
Every module is scanned, recently cleared fault codes are recovered, every panel gets a paint-depth reading, and the frame, underbody and flood indicators are checked. Photos document what was found.
- 04
Same-day report and a phone call
You receive a written report with photos by email or a text link, and Anthony calls to walk you through what it means, what it costs to fix and what to bring up with the seller.
We come to the car anywhere in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. Every city we cover →
Make specialists: BMW · Mercedes-Benz · Porsche · Audi · Tesla · Honda · Toyota · Land Rover
Standard pre-purchase inspection FAQ
What is a pre-purchase car inspection?
An independent examination of a used car before you buy it, done by a technician who works for you, not the seller. Inspect First's version scans every module, recovers cleared fault codes, measures paint depth on every panel, checks the frame and flood indicators, and ends with a written report and a phone call.
How much does a pre-purchase car inspection cost?
The Standard inspection is $299. Premium / Luxury is $399 for European, luxury and older cars, and EVs and hyper-exotics are quoted by the vehicle. The price is the same across South Florida and for out-of-state buyers.
Do I need to be there?
No. We coordinate the time with the dealer or seller, inspect the car on site and send you the report the same day. Anthony then calls you to go through it.
How long does the inspection take?
Usually one to two hours on site. The written report arrives the same day.
Who does the inspection?
A Master Certified Technician who specializes in the make of the car you are buying. Anthony Lapadula, the owner, chooses the specialist and is your point of contact before and after.
Is the inspection available in Spanish?
Yes. Hablamos Español. The booking, the phone walkthrough and the report can all be in Spanish.
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Book an inspection
Buying a used car in South Florida? Have it inspected first.
Send the VIN and where the car is. Anthony dispatches the right Master Certified Technician for the make — usually within 24–48 hours, often the same day. Hablamos Español.
7 days · 8am–6pm ET