Pre Purchase Inspection
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 764
1. VetteWork
- Specialization: Corvette experts (NCRS Master Judges) with 25+ years of experience .
- Service: Nationwide—inspectors will come to the vehicle, perform a comprehensive mechanical, structural, and authenticity inspection followed by a detailed report .
- Why It’s Great: Unmatched Corvette-specific knowledge—ideal for a high-performance model like the C7 Z06, especially if you care about originality and performance nuances.
- Specialty: Mobile inspections and appraisals in Chicago, tailored to classic/exotic vehicles .
- Service includes: Test drives, equipment functionality checks, full written reports with photos, plus certified appraisals to help with value assessment .
- Scope: Nationwide mobile inspection network, services range from standard to an “Exotic” tier—suited for sports and high-end vehicles like the Z06 .
- Cost: Standard PPI around $220; exotic vehicle inspection roughly $286 .
- Why It Works: Convenient, thorough, and widely trusted for comprehensive coverage and photo documentation.
- Focus: Performance car shop based in Chicago with high customer ratings and experience handling specialty vehicles .
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
What kind of PPI? For me, I want it mechanically perfect so if it is at my area, I already have found the tech to work on my car. I have already scoped them out by asking people who have worked with them about their work ethic and all that. For out of town, I have no choice but to find, in this case, a dealership with a Corvette certified tech to do the PPI. Usually, if you don't provide at least a brief warranty like say Carmax has a 90 day 0 deductible warranty so I could care less and will bring it home to get my chosen mechanic to do the PPI. If out of town and no warranty, I have to go with a dealer certified mechanic to decide if the sale goes through or not. My suggestion is to make the sale contingent on the PPI.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 756
Likes: 172
From: SC
I've used them twice. They do visual lookovers but nothing mechanical. They wont even take off the wheels to look at brakes. Better than nothing for cosmetic view. They do drive it, so they say. I had one who seemed to be working for the seller, vs me then told me about what he told the seller.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
I've used them twice. They do visual lookovers but nothing mechanical. They wont even take off the wheels to look at brakes. Better than nothing for cosmetic view. They do drive it, so they say. I had one who seemed to be working for the seller, vs me then told me about what he told the seller.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 2,825
Likes: 2,364
From: Phoenix, Arizona
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I've used them twice. They do visual lookovers but nothing mechanical. They wont even take off the wheels to look at brakes. Better than nothing for cosmetic view. They do drive it, so they say. I had one who seemed to be working for the seller, vs me then told me about what he told the seller.
i agree, trying to put together an out of state buy is something i'd never do because you either trust the dealers'/seller's assessment of the vehicle or pay someone impartial to do the inconclusive ppi!!
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
I just would go to a nearby dealership and have them do the inspection the way I want. If it is a Porsche, get the Gold Meister tech or MB, their Master Guild tech and a C7, Corvette Certified tech. They have the scanner, lift and the knowledge. Not perfect but better than nothing.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 34
Likes: 128
If it still has oem rims, inspect them carefully! I purchased a 2017 Z06 with low mileage located about 4hrs away and I asked the selling dealership to send it over to a GM dealer for inspection. The GM dealership failed to notice cracks in one of the rear wheels, thankfully the selling dealership was willing to pay for the repair (...and I replaced them with aftermarket rims anyways). I would suggest making a list of the known issues and ask them to specifically look at those items (e.g. wheels on Z06 or GS, rear differential on earlier models etc.). At least that way the inspecting party has less wiggle room and try to claim they didn't notice - the cracks in the wheels can be quite small if you're not looking for them. They tend to be in the rear wheels and on the inner lip of the rim - mine almost looked like hairline cracks in the paint, but when the tire was removed it was obvious they were actual cracks in the rim itself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 2,825
Likes: 2,364
From: Phoenix, Arizona
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I just would go to a nearby dealership and have them do the inspection the way I want. If it is a Porsche, get the Gold Meister tech or MB, their Master Guild tech and a C7, Corvette Certified tech. They have the scanner, lift and the knowledge. Not perfect but better than nothing.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
You will sign an "As Is" agreement. I've had a couple people come tell me their sob stories about problems a couple days later. After money changes hands, I will not entertain any calls from you. Pass on the inspection at your peril.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 2,825
Likes: 2,364
From: Phoenix, Arizona
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
When i sell you my tens of thousands car, I will be literally, more than happy to bring it to the local GM dealership for a look see at your expense. You can come to me and we can go to the dealership and do the PDI. I'm not sure why you say that a PDI cannot be done when you come from out of town unless you don't want to.
You will sign an "As Is" agreement. I've had a couple people come tell me their sob stories about problems a couple days later. After money changes hands, I will not entertain any calls from you. Pass on the inspection at your peril.
You will sign an "As Is" agreement. I've had a couple people come tell me their sob stories about problems a couple days later. After money changes hands, I will not entertain any calls from you. Pass on the inspection at your peril.
see post #8, i don't do oos vehicle purchases!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 164
Likes: 126
From: Eagle River, WI
Where are all these dealerships that a just waiting around for people to ask them to do a vehicle inspection? Where I’m from, it can take weeks to schedule any kind of service, even just an oil change. I know we can be talking about a big dollar transaction but are both the buyer and the seller willing to wait for a dealership to find the time?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 2,825
Likes: 2,364
From: Phoenix, Arizona
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Where are all these dealerships that a just waiting around for people to ask them to do a vehicle inspection? Where I’m from, it can take weeks to schedule any kind of service, even just an oil change. I know we can be talking about a big dollar transaction but are both the buyer and the seller willing to wait for a dealership to find the time?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Where are all these dealerships that a just waiting around for people to ask them to do a vehicle inspection? Where I’m from, it can take weeks to schedule any kind of service, even just an oil change. I know we can be talking about a big dollar transaction but are both the buyer and the seller willing to wait for a dealership to find the time?
I just bought a car in FL a couple weeks ago. Put deposit down on a Monday after the haggling, arranged for the transport from one of the people they like, did paperwork and was waiting for the transport. Next Monday afternoon they picked up the car and I got it on Saturday morning. Bottom line, you aren't getting it in the next day if you are buying out the state unless you hop on a plane.
If this is a $5000 beater, oh well. For what you are probably wanting for your C7, you can bet I'm going to want to get it checked out in the air. If you got the guts to drop that kind of money by driving it around the block, good for you. I'm not that brave and based on past experiences with sellers, not at all trusting.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 756
Likes: 172
From: SC
Maybe fear of liability if something they inspected brakes down in a big way. Maybe just arrogance. The Chevrolet Cadillac dealer I purchased mine from would not run the maintenance report for me. I had to go to a different dealer. Who knows.