Vehicle Inspections
Know Exactly What You're Getting Into.
Visual, safety, pre-purchase, and comprehensive inspections — honest findings, no pressure, no upsells.
An Inspection Worth Having
With nearly 40 years of mechanical experience, T'z Auto Repair goes through every vehicle systematically — not to find reasons to sell you repairs, but to give you an accurate, complete picture of what you're dealing with. You get the facts. What you do with them is up to you.
Visual Inspection
The first look — done on most vehicles when they come in.
A visual inspection is performed on most vehicles when they're brought in for service. It's a trained eye going over what can be seen without disassembly — fluid levels and condition, tire wear, belts, hoses, lights, and obvious signs of leaks or damage. It's not a deep diagnostic, but it often surfaces issues the owner didn't know were there.
Included as part of most service visits at no additional charge.
- Fluid levels and visible condition
- Tire condition and wear patterns
- Belts and hoses — cracking, wear, tension
- Lights — headlights, brake lights, turn signals
- Visible leaks — oil, coolant, brake fluid
- Exhaust system — visible condition
- Battery terminals and connections
- General undercarriage pass on lift
Pre-Purchase Inspection
Before you sign anything.
Buying a used vehicle is one of the biggest purchases most people make. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic — not the seller's shop — is the only way to know what you're actually buying. We inspect the vehicle top to bottom and give you a written assessment of its condition, what's worn, what needs attention soon, and what's been repaired or modified.
Bring the vehicle to us before purchase. We do not travel to dealerships or private sellers.
- Full mechanical inspection — engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, steering
- Fluid condition and levels
- Tire condition and wear patterns
- Belts, hoses, and cooling system
- Undercarriage inspection on lift
- Electrical and lighting check
- Evidence of prior accident damage or repairs
- Written assessment provided
Safety Inspection
Know where your vehicle stands.
Whether you're heading into winter, planning a long road trip, or just want a clear baseline on a vehicle you already own, a safety inspection covers the systems that matter most for safe operation. We check what's good, what's marginal, and what needs attention — and we tell you straight.
No repair work is required or pressured. The inspection is the service.
- Brake system — pads, rotors, calipers, lines, fluid
- Tire condition, tread depth, and inflation
- Suspension and steering components
- Lighting — headlights, brake lights, turn signals
- Belts and hoses
- Battery and charging system
- Fluid levels and condition
- Written assessment provided
Comprehensive Inspection
The full picture, top to bottom.
A comprehensive inspection covers everything — fluids, tires, brakes, belts, hoses, suspension, steering, electrical, exhaust, and undercarriage. It's the most thorough inspection we offer and is appropriate when you want a complete condition report on a vehicle, whether you're planning ahead for maintenance or evaluating a vehicle you've owned for years.
Billed at standard labor rate. Most comprehensive inspections take 1.5–2 hours.
- All fluid levels and condition — engine oil, coolant, brake, transmission, power steering
- Tire condition, tread depth, wear patterns, and inflation
- Full brake system — pads, rotors, calipers, hardware, lines
- Belts and hoses — condition, tension, wear
- Suspension and steering — bushings, ball joints, tie rods, shocks
- Electrical — battery, charging system, lights
- Exhaust system — leaks, hangers, condition
- Undercarriage inspection on lift — frame, mounts, CV axles
Inspection vs. Diagnostic — There's a Difference
An inspection covers what can be seen and assessed visually or through standard checks. A diagnostic goes further — it involves testing, measuring, and isolating a specific problem. If your vehicle has a coolant leak, for example, we'll inspect the visible coolant system components. But finding the exact source of the leak may require pressure testing, component removal, or other diagnostic work. That's a separate service, billed accordingly. We'll always tell you upfront what we're doing and why.
How It Works
Straightforward from Start to Finish
Schedule an Appointment
Call or request an appointment online. Let us know which type of inspection you need and, for pre-purchase inspections, the make, model, and year of the vehicle.
Bring the Vehicle In
Drop off the vehicle at the scheduled time. For pre-purchase inspections, arrange to have the vehicle brought to our shop — we don't travel to sellers.
Thorough Inspection
We go through the vehicle systematically, on the lift and under the hood. No shortcuts, no skipped systems.
Written Assessment
You receive a written summary of findings — what's in good shape, what's worn, what needs attention, and any concerns worth knowing.
Pricing
Inspection Pricing
Inspections are billed at our standard labor rate of $140 per hour. Most inspections take one to two hours depending on the vehicle and scope. There are no hidden fees and no pressure to authorize additional work.
Call for a time estimate before scheduling.