A pre-purchase inspection is the most important $100-$150 you'll spend before buying a used car. For Edmonds drivers navigating the waterfront hills and ferry terminal approach, Tom's B&M Auto performs a comprehensive inspection — every major system, an OBD-II scan for cleared codes, and a written report you can use in price negotiation.
OBD-II scan for stored fault codes, pending codes, and readiness monitor status. Multiple incomplete monitors indicate recent code clearing — a red flag. Engine inspection: leaks, smoke at startup, oil condition, coolant condition.
Full lift inspection: brakes (pad thickness, rotor condition), suspension (bushing and ball joint wear, bearing play), tires (tread depth and wear patterns indicating alignment history), exhaust, and CV boots.
Written report with plain-language summary: issues found, repair cost estimates, and overall assessment. Inspection takes about 1 hour. Report is yours — use it to negotiate or walk away.
Readiness monitors tell you more than fault codes. If a seller has recently cleared codes to hide a check engine light, the monitors won't be set — most modern vehicles have 8-12 readiness monitors, and a vehicle that's been driving normally will have all of them set. Multiple unset monitors mean the vehicle was recently driven after a code clear.
Tire wear patterns reveal alignment and suspension history that the seller may not disclose. Diagonal wear across the tread indicates severe alignment issues. Feathering indicates a toe problem. Cupping indicates shock absorber wear. We read the tires and tell you what they mean.
Readiness monitor check catches recently cleared codes — a common concealment tactic.
Use it to negotiate price, request repairs, or walk away informed.
Full inspection in about 1 hour. Appointments available same week.
Pre-purchase inspection includes OBD-II scan (codes and readiness monitors), engine inspection (leaks, smoke, fluid condition), full lift inspection (brakes, suspension, tires, exhaust, CV boots), and written report with repair cost estimates.
From Tom's B&M Auto - serving Edmonds and the greater Seattle metro.
Tom's B&M Auto · 17820 Hwy 99, Suite E, Lynnwood · Serving greater Seattle
Also serving: Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline, Mukilteo, Kenmore, Alderwood Manor