Portland OnSite Used Car Pre-Purchase Inspection Service

Portland's ORIGINAL modern used car inspection company. Since 2006 proper Master ASE Certified Technicians performing real inspections. The most technologically advanced used car inspection anywhere

Head gasket testing

Why You Should Only Trust ASE Master Certified Technicians for Used Car Inspections – Portland Buyers, Proceed with Caution

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Established in 2007, PDX Inspections has always prioritized one thing: delivering thorough, onsite used car pre-purchase inspections performed exclusively by Advanced an ASE Master Certified Technician. Yet, many buyers overlook the significance of ASE certification, making it easy to fall for subpar services that leave you exposed to costly surprises.

Just as a medical doctor must complete rigorous education and exams to earn their credentials, automotive technicians follow a similar path. ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) sets the gold standard for technician certification. Here’s why it matters: ASE exists to safeguard consumers, shop owners, and technicians alike. Their rigorous testing and certification process ensures verifiable expertise, giving you peace of mind when hiring for critical work like a vehicle inspection.

ASE is the standard for automotive technician certifications – http://www.ase.com/About-ASE.aspx
Why Does ASE Exist? – To protect the automotive service consumer, shop owner, and the automotive technician. We test and certify automotive professionals so that shop owners and service customers can better gauge a technicians level of expertise before contracting the technician’s services. We certify the automotive technician professional so they can offer tangible proof of their technical knowledge. ASE Certification testing means peace of mind for auto service managers, customers. To become ASE certified, you must pass an ASE test and have full-time, hands-on work experience (or a combination of formal training and experience). The amount of work experience required can vary by test.

The Four Tiers of Automotive Expertise

Not all mechanics are created equal. Here’s a breakdown of the levels – and why settling for less could cost you:

“Car Guy” or Shade-Tree Mechanic: No formal credentials or verifiable experience. These folks might tinker as a hobby, but there’s zero standardization. (Spoiler: There are millions out there.)

ASE Certified Technician: Basic entry point – just one or more ASE tests passed, plus some education and experience. Example: Someone acing only the A5 Brakes exam (maybe from a tire shop gig) qualifies as “ASE Certified.” They might excel at brakes but know zilch about engines or electronics.

ASE Master Certified Technician: The real deal. This requires passing all eight core ASE automobile tests, proving comprehensive mastery of every major vehicle system.

ASE L1 Advanced Master Certified Technician: The elite level. Builds on Master status with the grueling A8 Engine Performance exam plus the L1 Advanced Engine Performance Specialist test – focusing on diagnostics for today’s hyper-computerized cars.

The Eight Core Certifications for ASE Master Status

To hit Master level, a technician must conquer these:

  • A1: Engine Repair
  • A2: Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
  • A3: Manual Drive Train and Axles
  • A4: Suspension and Steering
  • A5: Brakes
  • A6: Electrical/Electronic Systems
  • A7: Heating and Air Conditioning
  • A8: Engine Performance

Plus the L1: Automobile Advanced Engine Performance Specialist for advanced diagnostics.

The numbers tell the story: As of July 2024, ASE reports 172,731 certified technicians nationwide. Of those, only 53,094 are Master Automobile Technicians, and a mere 24,416 hold the L1 advanced certification. That’s less than 15% of certified pros at the top tier – emphasizing how rare true expertise is.

https://www.ase.com/statistics Per ASE (July 2024):
There are 172,731 ASE Technicians
53,094 of which are Master Automobile Technicians
and only 24,416 have received their L1 Automobile Advanced Engine Performance Specialist certification.

We’re proud to lead the pack: We’re the only used car inspection service in Oregon and Washington (and likely the entire West Coast) ran by someone who has been a Certified Master Automobile Technician with the L1 Advanced Engine Performance certification. No one else matches our credentials or our experience with 1000’s of onsite prepurchase inspections over our nearly 2 decades of business.

What Sets Our Inspections Apart

There’s no universal standard for used vehicle inspections – but if there were, it’d mirror ours. We combine Master ASE expertise with cutting-edge diagnostic tools for objective, data-backed results. Here’s why we’re unmatched:

  • Unbiased from the Start: We don’t repair or service vehicles, so no upselling or conflicts of interest. We won’t steer you to “partner” shops either.
  • High-Tech Precision: We’re the only mobile service in the area equipped with a $5,000 head gasket analyzer for definitive failure detection – something “car guys” can’t touch.
  • Modern Diagnostics Every Time: Since day one, we’ve used state-of-the-art scan tools and equipment. Our findings? Hard numbers, not gut feelings.

We’ve watched competitors pop up locally and nationally, mimicking our model but cutting corners. Portland has outfits touting themselves as “the original” or “best” – yet they hide behind vague terms like “professional technicians” without proof of ASE Master status. If they’re legit, why not shout it from the rooftops?

Think about it: When choosing a doctor for a high-stakes procedure, you demand the most qualified expert. Why risk tens of thousands on a used car with anything less than a Master Certified Technician?

The Proof Is in Our Track Record

Since 2007, we’ve earned 5-star reviews by being transparent: We showcase our certifications, tools, processes, sample reports, and inspector bios right on our site. Trust us – or better yet, verify us. We wouldn’t stake your family’s safety (and wallet) on a “car guy” either.

Competition drives innovation, but it doesn’t faze us. We’re committed to doing inspections right – protecting Portland-area buyers from lemons, one thorough check at a time. Looking ahead, we’ll keep raising the bar as the unbiased, expert choice for used car peace of mind.

Meet Josh: The Heart of PDXinspections

PDXinspections isn’t just a service – it’s a mission to shield savvy buyers from used car pitfalls, headaches, and hidden costs. Josh, our founder, pours passion into every detail: from ongoing education and certifications to top-tier tools and unbeatable service.

Modern vehicles? They’re his playground. Josh thrives on the complexity of computerized systems, ditching outdated “simplistic” approaches for cutting-edge tech. We’ve built this company on a promise: Under-promise, over-deliver. That’s why, since 2007, we’re the most advanced, innovative, and exhaustive independent onsite inspection provider around.

We obsess over client experience, constantly upgrading our diagnostic arsenal to stay ahead. As the trailblazers in used car inspections, we’ve inspired copycats from Portland to nationwide – but we’re still the originals who set the standard.

Ready to inspect with confidence? Contact us today for a no-nonsense pre-purchase inspection. Your dream ride (minus the nightmares) awaits.

2009 MINI Cooper with a blown head gasket, think new cars don’t need to be inspected? Think again…

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It took three inspections to find the right car…

We have people ask us almost weekly do I really need to have a newer vehicle inspected? Or how about from a dealer who’s offering a warranty? In our minds it’s cheap insurance to make sure you don’t end up with a lemon. We’ve been doing this long enough to see some pretty crazy things even from only 1-2 year old models from some reputable dealerships.

We recently had a client who was looking for a newer MINI Cooper to buy for his wife’s birthday. He didn’t want to have to take the time out of his busy schedule and initiate transactions with various dealers to look over the cars on the market, so instead he hired us to look over the vehicle prior to even contacting the dealers that he was interested. His requirements were simple: a non smoking car and he wasn’t interested in a car that had been in any type of accident or having any kind of previous repaint. It took three inspections but in the end he found the best car.

MINI number 1 – 2009 MINI Cooper S – VIN WMWMF73539TW83305
The first one we went to look at sounded nice per the ad, “Non smoking & in like new condition” at a small independent dealer in NE Portland. Upon our arrival we found a few rather large flags based on his requirements. First, the vehicle had had some previous paintwork and it was fairly obvious with fish-eyes, spots and sanding marks visible in the paint. Probably the most surprising however, was that the ad clearly advertised it as being a non-smoking vehicle yet there were burn holes throughout the carpeting and in the leather seats. This one was out.
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On to MINI number 2 – 2009 MINI Cooper S – VIN WMWMF73509TW86811
This 60K mile MINI being sold by a bigger independent dealer in Milwaukie on Mcloughlin BLVD. We’ve been to this dealer many times in the past with mixed results. This one did have some superficial paint work but the biggest issue was that it had some serious engine issues. It almost immediately became apparent the car had a failing head gasket. Most may have started the car and thought it had some “lot rot” as it did initially run rough for a few seconds, but there were many clues that it had a internally failed head gasket.

  • Before starting the vehicle we always look over all fluids under the hood. What first caught our eye was the color and dark carbon like traces noted in the coolant bottle. It didn’t look good for a 60K mile 2009 vehicle.
  • When removing the cooling cap on a cold engine there was a noticeable pressure in the cooling system as well as bubbles – This is not normal on a stone cold engine that has been sitting for some time.
  • We had our scanner running a full system scan on the car prior to starting and noticed some other red flags such as misfire codes
  • As soon as we started the car, it initially ran very rough, and then seemed to clear out but now the check engine light was illuminated.
  • Finally, to confirm our suspicions we took our exhaust gas analyzer and sniffed out the cooling system, which instantly confirmed we had a head gasket failure. Cooling systems are sealed from the outside world and from the engine. Under no circumstances should you ever see any combustion gasses or by-products in the cooling system. In this case we had Hydrocarbons (HC-unburnt fuel) and Carbon Monoxides (CO – partially burn fuels) present. We’re currently working on a video that shows/explains this process in detail.

So obviously MINI number 2 was out. When looking back at the Carfax it became pretty apparent that someone had issues with the car shortly after the warranty expired.
Service on 04/11/2013 @ 58,716 Miles

  • Radiator hose clamp replaced
  • Water pump replaced
  • Thermostat housing/gasket replaced
  • Thermostat replaced
  • Antifreeze/coolant checked

These services suggest the car likely had a overheating issue or a coolant odor issue and a shop without a $5000 exhaust gas analyzer to properly diagnose the shop likely threw parts at it. If we had to guess, the owner likely traded it in after this service was completed at probably $1000 the car continued having issues. It was also interesting to note it was sent to auction only a week after the MINI dealer in CA listed the car for resale. We showed the dealer our findings before we left, he mentioned this happened to him just a few weeks on a similar car. One would think the dealer would send it back to auction, but according to the history report the car was sold 2 months later to some unsuspecting buyer here in Portland.
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On to MINI number 3 – 2010 MINI Cooper S – VIN WMWMF7C52ATZ73202
This was the final car and the one he was looking for. The car was absolutely pristine! None of the previous issues, never been smoked in and most importantly never had any paintwork. Needless to say, our client was very satisfied and his patience definitely paid off.

The third inspection was the best and final MINI

Josh thank you for your professional counsel and extra work on these Mini inspections.  I did a deal with Kevin and my wife is delighted with her birthday gift.

I am still on the hunt for something to replace my Suburban.  So when I figure it out and begin my search I will once again be in touch.

Again many thanks for the excellent service you provide.

Mark

You will always save money having the car inspected prior to purchase and in this case our client avoided the hassles of weeding through the junk vehicles while avoiding a vehicle with a blown head gasket that would have cost him close to $3000 to fix right off the bat.