Real Pre-Purchase Inspection Cases

Every inspection ends in a report with photos, paint-thickness readings and OBD diagnostics. Here we publish real cases: what we found, how much the client saved — and when we said walk away.

6 inspections published

Nissan Qashqai 2011, 139 047 km

📅 20/07/2026

Nissan Qashqai 2011, 139 047 km

Asking price: €9 000

What we found

  • Crack in the windscreen; front right door glass replaced
  • Front bumper resprayed with a chip; dent on the rear bumper
  • Corrosion on the interior mirror mount
  • Sunroof sealing needs attention
  • No record of the gearbox oil ever being changed
  • Mixed tyre brands: DOT 2020 and 2022, front tyres due for replacement
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

For €9,000 the condition is broadly age-appropriate, but there are questions: a cracked windscreen, a replaced door glass, corrosion, mixed tyres with worn fronts and an unknown gearbox service history. Each of these is an argument for negotiating.

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Nissan Qashqai 2008, 54 000 km

📅 17/07/2026

Nissan Qashqai 2008, 54 000 km

What we found

  • Bonnet not sitting in factory panel gaps
  • Both right-hand doors have been off; both side mirrors resprayed
  • Corrosion on the tailgate
  • Engine bay freshly washed — possible leak traces hidden; coolant above the level mark
  • The claimed 54,000 km is not backed up: no service history after 2016, visible pedal wear
  • IPO inspection history provided only in part
  • Battery from late 2022
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

An ageing car whose claimed low mileage is not confirmed by documents. Plenty of body and engine caveats — we advised the client to negotiate on every point.

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Mercedes-AMG SL 63 2022, 50 831 km

📅 15/07/2026

Mercedes-AMG SL 63 2022, 50 831 km

What we found

  • Impact marks on the underbody with broken plastic; scratched engine guard with a piece missing
  • Front bumper has been off; many deep scratches, stone chips on both front wings
  • Rear bumper resprayed — overspray and craters; loose V8 badge trim on a wing
  • About 1 litre of engine oil missing; sweating around the engine bay
  • Signs of turbo overheating (discolouration)
  • Damp floor mat in the rear right
  • Rear right power window not working
  • Front suspension bushings need replacing
  • Uneven tyre wear; damaged front right wheel
  • Interior: creased seat bolster, scratches on the steering wheel and headliner
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

Too many signs of hard use for a 2022 car: an underbody impact, low oil, turbo overheating marks, moisture in the cabin, a dead power window and cosmetics all around. We handed the client the full list with a recommendation to price these in and to check the car on a lift before the deal.

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Volvo XC40 2022, 27 738 km

📅 15/07/2026

Volvo XC40 2022, 27 738 km

What we found

  • Bonnet and front left wing resprayed; chip on the rear bumper
  • Tool marks on wing bolts and door hinges — panels have been off
  • Signs of work on the front bumper mounts
  • Active engine fault codes in OBD (logged in the report)
  • Cracks on the tyre sidewalls
  • Roof covered with a wrap film
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

A young car with low mileage, but the body is not untouched: the bonnet and a wing are resprayed and front panels have been off — front-end repair is likely. Add active OBD fault codes and cracked tyres. We advised requesting the repair history and reflecting every finding in the price.

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Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2000, 138 357 km

📅 13/07/2026

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2000, 138 357 km

What we found

  • Impact to the rear right: deformed boot floor, filler on the rear right wing, rear bumper has been off and repaired
  • Rear right boot window replaced, boot aperture repainted
  • Corrosion on the roof and a pillar
  • Transfer case is leaking; fresh drips under the car after the test drive
  • Coolant and power-steering fluid above the maximum mark
  • The car pulls to the right; vibration at 80–120 km/h
  • Black exhaust smoke — injectors need bench testing
  • Rear brake discs need replacing
  • Sunroof not working; stains on the headliner
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

We recommend sealing the leaking transfer case, checking the steering — the car pulls to the right — and doing a full inspection on a lift. With the price negotiated down for the findings, we recommended buying.

After the inspection we advised the client to negotiate on every finding.

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Toyota Hiace 2004, 183 963 km

📅 11/07/2026

Toyota Hiace 2004, 183 963 km

What we found

  • Paint meter: up to 1,200 µm on the bonnet and tailgate, 972 µm on a pillar — the body is fully resprayed, panels differ in tone
  • Weld seams: a chassis rail has been welded — structural repair after an impact; impact marks on the underbody
  • Left door and bonnet have been off; dent on the front right wing, chips around the body
  • Windscreen and left window replaced; right seat belt replaced
  • The seller is not the registered owner (DUA)
  • Engine oil at minimum; coolant needs topping up and replacement
  • Whistle on start-up — fan viscous coupling needs replacing; clutch release bearing worn
  • Ball joints and left CV boot need replacing; vibration under braking — front brake discs
  • Tyres dated 2011, worn spare; multimedia unit not working
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

A van after major body repair: a welded chassis rail, a full respray with mismatched tones and impact marks on the underbody. Mechanically the list is long too — from the clutch to the fan coupling — and the seller is not the registered owner. Buying makes sense only at a price that reflects all the risks and the repairs ahead.

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