Frequently Asked Questions   

A Parking Lot  500+ point inspection - using a patent pending Inspection App - guided inspection to visual inspection of Exterior, Interior, Mechanical,Road Test, fluids, body, brakes, cooling system, suspension, HVAC, tires, external appearance, On Board Diagnostics, Check Engine light errors, Odometer & VIN Fraud.

The Physical Inspection of the Car performed by the qualified inspector using a CarDr.com Inspection App covers 500+ touch points including. The List of key Touch points includes - Driver Side Front Panel, Driver Side Front Door, Driver Side Rear Door, Driver Side Rear Panel, Rear Windshield,Rear Trunk, Rear Bumper, Passenger Side Front Panel, Passenger Side Front Door, Passenger Side Rear Door, Passenger Side Rear Panel, Front Windshield, Front Hood, Front Bumper, Top/Roof, Headlight Left, Headlight Right, Exterior Paint Condition, Frame Damage, Rust, Tail Lights, Directional Lights Left, Directional Lights Right, Sunroof,Door Mirrors, Side Mouldings, Convertible Top, Body Seals, Rocker panel, Back-up Camera, Wiper Blades, WindShield Washer, Body Alignment, Antenna, Body repair, Steering Wheel, Sun Visors, Horn, Cruise Control, Seat Condition, Heated Seats, Seat Belts, Clock, Radio/Nav, Inner Door Panels, Interior Trim, Power Locks, Window Switches, Window Function, Center Console, Dashboard, Dashboard Warning Lights, Stereo Sound Level, Air Conditioning, Heater, Rear Defroster, Carpet, Floor Mats, Cigarette Use, Unusual Odors, Cup Holders, Upholstery, Headliner, Blower Motor, Dash Gauges,Odor,Interior Grade,Air Filter,Battery Condition,Charging System,Cooling Fan Condition,Radiator Cap Sealing, Hoses, Radiator, Engine Coolant, Coolant Leaks, Belts, Power Steering, Steering Fluid, Engine Oil, Engine Fluid Leaks, Engine, Transmission Fluid, Transmission Leaks, Brake System, Brake Fluid Leaks, Transfer Case Leaks,Differential leaks, Exhaust System,CV Joints and Axles, Shocks and bushings, Ball Joints and Tie Rods,Key Fob, Tire Manufacturer/Brand, Left Front Tire, Left Rear Tire,Right Rear Tire,Right Front Tire, Spare Tire,Wheels, Wheel Lug Nuts, Undercarriage, Accessories, Engine Starting, Engine, Transmission, Clutch, Differential Performance, Transfer Case Performance, Wheel Bearing Performance, Brakes, Parking Break, Suspension Performance, Steering, Tire Pressure System (TPMS), Manual Gear's Shift, Computer Diagnosis & On Board Diagnostics (OBD) of all known error codes.

Our Inspection his done on real time basis, report will generate at the same time when inspection is done.

At the time of placing the Order we ask you to provide the availability / schedule of the Vehicle Seller.

Once we receive the order the system emails/ sms's the Seller to confirm their availability. Once they confirm time the orders are assigned Real time to available/ closest inspector.

We have hundreds of Vehicle Inspectors nationwide and transparency and integrity is the flag ship of CarDr.com Inc

We typically anticipate Inspection Completes   - withing 24 business hours of Seller's confirmation of inspection time, it all depends on the Vehicle Sellers availability.

Please allow for 1 business hour after the completion of the inspection for delivery of report. Typically, the report is sent automatically once complete. Unless the system detects a poor picture or a missing detail - in which case the Inspector has to fix the deficiency.

The mechanic performs an exhaustive Inspector App lead 500+point inspection that includes a visual inspection of the fluids, body, brakes, cooling system, suspension, HVAC, tires, and overall external appearance, photos -  exterior and interior.

The mechanic will try to scan the car's various computers for trouble codes and test drives the vehicle if it’s safe and operational and if permission from the owner has been given.

The CarDr.com Inspector APP guides the inspection and gathers all the data – including the OBD during the test drive.

If the mechanic inspecting the car is not given permission to test drive the car or it is unsafe to test drive the car, the inspection will be completed without the road test portion.

Tools used in the pre-purchase inspections are those needed to check the fluids, brakes, tires, batteries, and other parts of the vehicle

Diagnostic equipment is not typically used in a pre-purchase inspection. Our Nationwide Network of Vehicle Inspectors have extensive car inspection qualifications and most are ASE certified technicians. They use all use the CarDr.com Inspection APP and CarDr.com OBD monitor -  that is AI supervised to ensure the highest quality.

All the inspections are parking lot inspections and every inspection does a comprehensive Error Code and OBD Check using our Patent Pending APP, tools and Process.

On-board diagnostics (OBD) refers to vehicle's self-diagnostic and reporting capability.

Modern vehicles  provide real-time OBD data in addition to a standardized series of diagnostic trouble codes, or DTCs, which allow us to rapidly identify and remedy malfunctions within the vehicle.

Our Inspection Checks for all DTC Error Codes and reads all On Board Diagnostics parameters using the OBD-II standard. The data collected comprises of error codes/check engine lights and also all key 23+ parameters from the ECM.

The OBD Parameters scanned Include - Engine load, Engine RPM, Vehicle speed, Throttle position, Coolant temperature, Fuel trim, Fuel pressure, Fuel system status, Intake manifold pressure, Intake air temperature, MAF air flow rate, Air status, Oxygen sensor status, Runtime since engine star,t Distance with MIL on, Fuel tank level input, System vapor pressure, Absolute load, value, Hybrid battery pack life, Engine oil temperature, Engine fuel rate, Torque, VIN & Various DTCs.

The Consumer App with Diagnostic Capabilities, Maintenance Tips and Driver Services is slated to launch in the next few months. 

Yes. Our website is open to take orders 24 hours a day. Our entire Order to inspection report system is highly automated and overseen by an AI. All status and services are all Web based and available online on a self serve basis - including - Orders, Cancellation, Assignment, Scheduling, Rescheduling etc. Our Office business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm CST. The inspectors will many a times perform inspections on weekends if sellers are available. All schedule and availability is online.

If you place your order after hours or on the weekend, we will assign your order to the inspector right away after the seller confirms time. If the seller confirms and the Inspector is available - the inspection will be scheduled.

Daylight is necessary for a good quality inspection. A lot of our inspectors are available to work weekends. You can track your order status real time.

No, the CarDr.com inspector’s training and experience makes it possible for him/her to identify many potential areas of concern by examining a vehicle’s undercarriage without utilizing a lift. We also do not put the car on a jack, for safety reasons. It is a parking lot inspection. With an at-home inspection, mechanics do not put the car on a lift.

Vehicle inspectors come to CarDr.com from a variety of backgrounds including insurance adjusters, used car auction evaluators, body shop estimators and other automotive technology jobs. Upon becoming an CarDr.com inspector, they complete an extensive training program on the use of CarDr.com’s exclusive inspection App software that creates consistent and accurate inspection reports.

While it is always preferable to conduct a test drive, the vehicle owner may not allow it due to weather conditions, insurance concerns or other reasons. If the inspector is not allowed to ride along with the owner of the vehicle during the test drive, the inspector will notate that the test drive did not occur. AiM Certify inspectors are highly trained and are able to complete a comprehensive inspection without driving the vehicle.

The Inspectors will still try to collect the Scan Port / OBD data - which will allow us to revert with Code, VIN Number & Odometer authenticity as shared by the Vehicle On Board Diagnostics - Engine Control unit

No, all of the CarDr.com field Inspectors are highly qualified automobile inspectors trained to evaluate a vehicle’s true condition.

The used car inspection is not guaranteed because the vehicle is fully assembled for the inspection and the inspector cannot see the internal components of the vehicle, including the transmission or the engine. There is the possibility of impending failures that are not evident at the time of the inspection.

For example, if it is not failing at the time of the inspection, we will not know that it is failing. As such, any used car inspection cannot be guaranteed. CarDr.com always recommends to see the vehicle to verify it meets your expectations before purchase.

We do provide carfax history, a comprehensive inspection and OBD data - but please remember it's a mechanical object and some sellers are astute. We will try to spot issues - if OBD give a different VIN # than what's on the car or give a significant variation in Odometer reading as provided by the OBD from what's shown on the dashboard odometer - indicating a potential red flag. Please be aware this is NOT a lift inspection - it's a parking lot inspection.

Our service requires an upfront pre-payment. You pay for the inspection when you place your order. If the vehicle sells before we dispatch an inspector, we will put your order on hold and you can use the amount paid towards inspection of another vehicle. Please also read Cancellation Policy

CarDr.com does not conduct cylinder compression measurements due to the liability incurred with the removal of engine components.

No. CarDr.com is not a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) inspection. We do "pre-purchase" inspections before you buy a new used vehicle -  to make sure that the vehicle is in good shape. 

We do NOT perform any types of state required emission inspections, you must contact or visit your local DMV.

Vehicle Inspector Application
Apply Online at:
https://cardr.com/vehicle-inspectors/

Once you complete registration - the confirmation page will give you your point contact and their email address.

Orders are assigned Real time to the available  inspector closest to the automobile. To help the inspector please provide the availability of the Seller. Once an order is placed the seller is notified and asked to confirm time (or reschedule, if they like).

The Inspectors are typically available 8am to 5pm on Business Days and sometimes weekends.

Value is very important and to keep the cost to you low and provide maximum value.

We provide an Uber type Inspector assignment - closest/available/time overlap.

Ours inspections are the most comprehsive in the industry and are supervised by a cutting edge AI driven comprehensive process to provide to you - the highest quality reports. The Prices are as indicated on the Orders page.

We will gladly apply the credit to another inspection and if you can't use it. if the inspection was not performed we will gladly refund you per the  "cancellation policy"

Our entire system is fully transparent and self-served. To cancel or reschedule login to - cancel, re-schedule, edit  Vehicle  info/ location, change or use the AI Chat.

Referral Discounts are available to our partners. To learn more please contact Support

Yes. Before seller accepts time – you can. If the time  and inspector have already been assigned, please consult the "Cancellation Policy".

We’ll conduct an inspection at residential, business and industrial locations throughout the United States. We need a valid street address and access to the vehicle if it is on private property. We go to the Vehicle and need the seller/current owner to provide us access.

It is a parking lot inspection. With an at-home inspection, mechanics do not put the car on a lift. 

Typically Yes, but it's at the discretion of the lender. Most lenders will accept our report. However,  we recommend that you send a sample report to your lender to see if they will accept that report for lending purposes - before placing your order. The onus is our's to check

Yes. On hybrid and electric vehicles, we connect the OBD 2 scanner to monitor for the charging system, in addition to everything else that we already are looking for during the inspection.

If the vehicle is a hybrid, we check to make sure that the battery is taking a charge, and to make sure that the vehicle is switching between the hybrid and gas engine systems without issue.

On all vehicles a road test is performed (if allowed and doable) on hybrids our inspectors try to see if the battery is not losing its charge faster then normal. As you know older batteries tends to fail more frequently than newer batteries, age takes a toll on batteries and are expensive to replace. Buying an older, higher mileage, hybrid or electric vehicle can come with some potential risk.

Yes, if a customer would like to speak with the CarDr.com inspector who conducted the inspection, we’ll note that in your order and request the CarDr.com inspector to contact you from the inspection location and answer general questions about the vehicle.

On a case by case basis we try our best to accommodate special requests.

The mechanic will identify the VIN (vehicle identification number), but does NOT  check the authenticity of the VIN, history, or title.

The CarDr.com Inspector App obtains the VIN # using the OBD port to make sure it matches the scanned VIN. If there is an error – you will be notified. It usually indicates serious issues. 

We suggest a VHR CarFax Report - which is available on CarDr.com to verify title and ownership.

When you find a car in which you’re interested, you need to determine whether there are major potential problems with the car. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a list of recalls and Technical Service Bulletins, which you may check regarding the car you have in mind for purchase. You'll want to know if the car has been in any accidents, failed smog checks, or had other past issues. You can check the history of the car on CarFax, which takes data from insurance companies, shops, and other providers. Our service integrates with CarFax and provides that report to you for a small fee.

VIN and Odometer comparisons to OBD data are done if we allowed to connect the CarDr.com  OBD adapter to the car

No exact dollar amount estimate for the vehicle’s value is included. However, the report does include the information that will help you determine accurate value. 

Your inspection report can be accessed online at (link of report) with the username and password created at the time the order is placed. We also notified by  email of the availability of the inspection report.

We accept credit cards payments from Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Discover, and accept Apple Pay

You may cancel an inspection for a scheduled appointment without penalty by logging in online before the seller has accepted the inspection schedule. Please see Cancellation Policy for other matters.