Why you need a PPI before any used car purchase
In Ontario, used cars are sold "as is" unless the seller explicitly warrants otherwise. Once the money changes hands and ownership transfers, all problems become yours. A pre-purchase inspection regularly identifies $2,000–$5,000 in pending repairs that give you either a price negotiation or a walk-away signal.
- •Private seller hiding an oil leak, transmission slip, or electronic fault
- •Dealer-reconditioned vehicle with temporary cosmetic fixes over real problems
- •Flood-damaged or accident-damaged vehicle not disclosed in CARFAX
- •Pre-existing issues that will fail your next Ontario Safety Certificate
- •Hidden rust inside rocker panels, wheel wells, or frame rails
- •Misreported mileage (odometer rollback — yes, still happens)
What the 150-point inspection covers
Our PPI is broken into 10 categories. We inspect visually, on the lift, with a scanner, and with a road test. All findings in a written report you can show the seller or take home.
Engine (on-lift + under-hood)
- ·Oil leaks, coolant leaks, fuel leaks — source identified
- ·Oil condition, colour, level; coolant condition
- ·Drive belts, hoses, timing cover integrity
- ·Compression test (on request, small add-on)
- ·Diagnostic scan with live data
Transmission & Drivetrain
- ·Fluid condition (colour, smell, level)
- ·Shift quality during road test (hot and cold)
- ·CV joints, driveshaft, differential (AWD/4WD)
- ·Transmission codes scanned separately
Brakes & Suspension
- ·Pad and rotor thickness measured
- ·Ball joints, tie rods, control arms, bushings
- ·Shock/strut condition (leakage, bounce test)
- ·Steering play, alignment estimate
Body, Frame, Rust
- ·Rocker panels, wheel arches, frame rails — rust or perforation
- ·Paint condition, panel gaps (indicators of accident repair)
- ·Overspray, mismatched colours, filler (bondo) detection
- ·Undercarriage for previous damage, repair welds
Electronics, Interior, Accessories
- ·All lights, indicators, wipers, fans, blower
- ·A/C performance, heater output
- ·Power windows, locks, mirrors, sunroof, seats
- ·Infotainment, backup camera, sensors
- ·All airbag warning indicators OFF
- ·Dashboard warning lights evaluated
After the inspection — what you get
At the end of a PPI, you receive:
- •Written report listing every finding, categorized by severity (critical / major / minor / cosmetic)
- •Estimated repair cost for each issue
- •Overall assessment: "buy as priced" / "negotiate $X off" / "walk away"
- •Photos of any significant issues
- •Verbal walk-through with our mechanic — questions answered
- •Report valid for 60 days if you delay the purchase decision
Think of it as the best investment you can make on the car. We regularly save buyers $2,000–$8,000 in negotiation leverage — or the entire cost of a bad purchase.
Special cases we handle
Some used-car scenarios need specific inspection attention:
Kijiji/AutoTrader private purchases
- ·We can meet you at the seller's location (within 20 km) for a small travel surcharge
- ·Bring the seller, the car, and your CARFAX/vehicle history report
- ·If we identify issues, negotiate in our presence — sometimes the seller will price-adjust on the spot
Dealer lot purchases
- ·Legitimate dealers allow PPIs at independent shops. Refusal is a red flag
- ·We're not there to find fault with their dealer — we're there to verify condition
- ·Drive the vehicle to our shop (most dealers allow) or we arrange a flat-bed
Rebuilt / salvage-titled vehicles
- ·Higher-scrutiny inspection recommended
- ·Frame measurement on our bench
- ·Multiple photos of previous repair welds, panel alignment, undercoating
- ·We can flag repairs done correctly vs cut corners
Pricing & timing
The PPI fee does not apply toward a safety certificate — these are two different inspections with different standards. We offer a bundle discount when you do both in one visit.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a PPI and an Ontario Safety Certificate?
Safety Certificate (SSC) is a pass/fail regulatory inspection against Ontario's minimum legal standards — mandatory for ownership transfer. A PPI is a detailed condition assessment above and beyond legal minimums — it tells you what's mechanically, electronically, and structurally happening so you can negotiate or walk away.
Can you meet me at the seller's location?
Yes — a small travel surcharge within 20 km of our shop (covers most of Etobicoke, Toronto west, Mississauga east). Book 24 hours ahead so we can allocate a tech and travel time.
How long does the inspection take?
60–90 minutes for a standard PPI. 90–120 minutes if we add a compression test, road test loop, or specialty checks. We call or text you the moment the inspection is done with verbal results; full written report follows within 30 min.
What if the seller refuses to allow an inspection?
That's a red flag. Legitimate sellers, especially dealers, allow PPIs at your independent shop of choice. Private sellers who refuse are almost always hiding something — walk away and save your money.
Will you tell me to buy the car or not?
We give you an honest assessment: "Good buy at this price," "Negotiate $2,000 off for these issues," or "Walk away — too many issues." The final decision is yours. We'll answer questions and explain trade-offs.
Do you check for flood damage or odometer rollback?
Yes — both are on our checklist. Flood damage shows in seat-track corrosion, door-skin rust, interior musty smell, and wiring connector oxidation. Odometer rollback we check against service records, tire wear, brake wear, and pedal pad wear for inconsistencies.