Before you buy
Pre-Purchase Inspections in Portland
Buying a Porsche, European or exotic car? Get a clearer picture before you commit.
Porsche is our specialty. We also inspect Lamborghini, McLaren, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and other European and exotic cars, once we have confirmed the specific car.
Why inspect first
A listing only shows part of the car
Good photos, a clean exterior and a short drive can’t answer every condition question. Some of the answers sit under the car, in the engine bay or in the paperwork. An independent inspection from a shop that works on these cars gives you more to go on before you commit.
What an inspection helps you answer
Has it been maintained, and do the records back that up?
Are there signs of leaks, wear or work coming due?
Does the paperwork match the car?
No inspection can predict everything about a car’s future. It gives you a clearer picture of its condition when we see it, so you can go ahead, ask the seller more questions or walk away.
What we look at
What the inspection covers
Every inspection starts from the same framework, organized around six areas. Which checks apply depends on the car, how it is equipped, its condition and the access we have, so we confirm the scope for your car before we start.
01
Engine, fluids and related components
Fluid condition, leaks and how the engine runs say a lot about how a car has been looked after.
Engine oil and coolant level and condition
Transmission and brake fluid
Power steering fluid, where the car uses it
Battery and drive belts
Radiator and hoses
Engine air filter and exhaust system
Signs of leaks
Idle quality, engine noise and cold start, when conditions allow
02
Exterior, tires and undercarriage
Body panels, paint and glass, lights and signals, tire condition, the spare tire and jack, rust and the underside of the car.
03
Steering, suspension and brakes
Steering and suspension components, shock absorbers, brake pads and rotors, how the brakes work and the parking brake.
04
Interior and electrical functions
Dashboard warning lights, gauges and odometer, heating and air conditioning, audio, windows and locks, wipers and washers, interior lights, seats and horn.
05
Road-test observations
When a road test is possible: acceleration, shifting, cruising, braking, cornering and handling, and any noises along the way.
06
Available vehicle documentation
Title status and VIN match, emissions compliance and service records, based on the documents available for the car.
Confirmed for your car
Not every check applies to every car. Equipment, condition and access all play a part, so we tell you what the inspection will cover before it is booked.
Vehicles we inspect
Porsche is our specialty
Pre-purchase inspections from air-cooled 911s through current models, including the 911, 718 Boxster and Cayman, Cayenne, Macan and Panamera. Our Porsche page covers the service and repair side of the shop.
Dan, our shop operations manager, and Dino, our service advisor, are dealer trained. Meet the team.
Other European and exotic cars
Lamborghini
McLaren
Audi
BMW
Mercedes-Benz
Buying something else? We also inspect other European and exotic cars. What we can take on depends on the specific car, so tell us the year, model and mileage and we will confirm before anything is booked.
How it works
How to request an inspection
Call (503) 858-2512 or use our request form. In the form’s description, mention that you are asking about a pre-purchase inspection.
01
Tell us about the car
Share the year, model and mileage, the listing if there is one, and any records the seller has given you.
02
We confirm the scope
We let you know which checks apply to that car and how the inspection will be arranged, before anything is booked.
03
You decide what’s next
We tell you what we found. Whether you go ahead, ask the seller more questions or walk away is your call.
Looking at a car? Tell us about it.
Send us the year, model and mileage of the car you are considering, and we will confirm how we can help.