Spot costly warning signs
We document visible and testable concerns that can affect safety, reliability, repair cost, or your negotiating position.
Buy the car based on evidence—not the listing.
Private sellers and dealers know the vehicle better than you do. A pre-purchase inspection narrows that information gap before money changes hands.
Inspect where the car is
You do not need to coordinate a shop visit. The inspector travels to the vehicle within the current service area.
Keep a clear record
Your report brings observations, media, and vehicle details together so you can review the evidence before committing.
Coordinate a Columbia or Midlands inspection
A Columbia-area listing may be located in Columbia itself, West Columbia, Cayce, or farther into the Midlands. Enter the exact seller address during online booking to see available appointments. Travel is included in the package price.
Confirm the Midlands location
A metro label alone is not enough to schedule travel. Enter the complete address and ZIP code in checkout, then choose an available appointment.
Arrange a safe inspection space
Confirm permission to inspect and space to work safely at the dealership, home, or agreed meeting point. Road testing depends on permission and conditions.
Keep the buying decision yours
Use the report to consider follow-up questions, negotiation, or walking away. An inspection describes observed condition and cannot guarantee future reliability.
Choose the inspection that fits the vehicle.
All prices are one-time charges. Your checkout confirms the current package, appointment slot, and total before payment.
Standard
$229
A complete inspection at the seller’s location
- Complete mechanical inspection
- OBD-II diagnostic scan
- Interior & exterior assessment
- Test drive evaluation
- Video documentation
- Detailed inspection report
Plus
$259
The inspection plus the vehicle’s CARFAX history, explained
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- CARFAX report
- CARFAX report analysis
- One-page buyer summary
- How the CARFAX history and summary relate to the inspection findings
Road testing and system checks depend on seller permission, safe access, vehicle condition, and supported equipment.
How the booking works
1. Choose your package
Select the level that matches the vehicle and see the verified total in checkout.
2. Pick an available time
Enter the vehicle location and reserve an available appointment slot.
3. Review your report
Your digital report is typically delivered 2–3 minutes after the inspector completes and submits the inspection. Use the findings to decide whether to buy, negotiate, or walk away.
What’s included in your inspection
A thorough mobile inspection and a clear digital report, with evidence you can review before you buy.
Professional OBD-II scan
Current, pending, permanent, and historical trouble codes and readiness status, where supported by the vehicle.
Video documentation
HD video with inspector audio narration helps you see and understand the findings.
Detailed photo gallery
High-resolution photos document vehicle condition and areas that need attention.
AI-enhanced analysis
Inspector findings are organized with AI-assisted analysis and common issues for the vehicle’s make and model.
Test drive evaluation
Performance, handling, and drivability observations when permission and safe conditions allow.
CARFAX with Plus
Plus adds a CARFAX report, analysis, a one-page summary and connections to the inspection findings.
See the actual report format
Review a real inspection report.
Explore a completed 2017 Honda CR-V inspection to see the detail and documentation you can expect in your report.
- Vehicle-specific inspection findings
- Photos, diagnostics, and documented observations
- Vehicle history included in the full report
Opens in a new tab · PDF, approximately 13 MB
Engineering expertise. Mobile convenience.
Built by an expert. Inspected by professionals.
LemonFreeAuto was founded by a former ASE-certified technician who earned a PhD in Automotive Engineering from Clemson University. Our ASE-certified inspector network combines hands-on inspection with AI-enhanced reporting to help you make an informed buying decision.
Backed by our money-back guarantee
Cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled inspection for a full refund. If your delivered report does not meet reasonable expectations for completeness or the format shown in our sample report, contact us so we can make it right. If you’re still dissatisfied, we will refund the inspection price. See terms. This is not a warranty or a guarantee of the vehicle’s future condition.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an inspection take?
Most inspections take 60–90 minutes, depending on the vehicle and package. Reports are typically delivered 2–3 minutes after the inspector completes and submits the inspection.
Do I need to be there?
No. You can attend, but we can inspect while you’re elsewhere. Coordinate seller access in advance and review the documented findings afterward.
Can you inspect at a dealership or private seller’s home?
Yes, when the seller agrees and the location provides safe access. Enter the vehicle’s actual location during booking to check available appointments.
What if the seller refuses an inspection?
Ask for the seller’s permission before booking. If access cannot be arranged, contact us to discuss scheduling and review the cancellation terms before proceeding.
What happens if you find problems?
The report documents findings so you can consider repairs, negotiate, seek further specialist evaluation, or walk away. We provide inspection evidence, not a guarantee that a used vehicle will be problem-free.
How do I schedule and pay?
Choose your package, enter the vehicle details and location, and select an available time. Review the total before payment in our secure checkout. Your booking confirmation identifies the scheduled appointment.
Where do you offer inspections?
We serve the Upstate and arrange regional visits toward Atlanta, Charlotte, and Columbia. Enter the vehicle address to see available appointments and book online. Travel is included in your package price. View all service areas. Available appointments depend on the vehicle’s location and inspector availability.
Do not let the test drive be your only inspection.
Book before you commit to the vehicle.
Start with Standard — $229Mobile inspections around Columbia
Our service area extends beyond Columbia city limits to the surrounding communities below. Book Standard for $229 or Plus for $259, with travel included. Enter the actual vehicle address to see appointments within approximately three hours of Greenville; availability depends on the address and schedule.
Lexington and Lake Murray
Lexington, SC · Irmo, SC · Chapin, SC
Across the rivers and central metro
West Columbia, SC · Cayce, SC · Springdale, SC · Forest Acres, SC
Northeast Midlands
Blythewood, SC · Elgin, SC · Lugoff, SC · Camden, SC
Buying from a dealership or private seller in one of these communities? Use the seller’s location when booking, even if the listing says “Columbia.” A nearby community not listed here may also qualify: check its vehicle address in online booking.