A comprehensive car inspection checks every major system of the vehicle — engine and transmission, brakes and suspension, body and paint, chassis and underbody, electrical systems and diagnostics, safety systems, interior features — and finishes with a road test and a written report. At Car Inspect this means 400+ checkpoints with Pro and 600+ with Premium.
“Comprehensive” and “full” are used loosely in car inspections. This guide sets out what a genuinely comprehensive pre-purchase inspection covers, so you can compare like with like.
Engine and transmission
- Visual inspection for oil, coolant and other fluid leaks
- Fluid levels and condition
- Belts, hoses, mounts and the cooling system
- Cold start behaviour, idle quality and unusual noises
- Gear changes on the road test — smoothness, delays, slipping
Our packages include a dedicated engine leak inspection. Premium adds an endoscope inspection where accessible, letting the inspector look into areas that aren’t otherwise visible.
Body, paint and structure
- Paint thickness readings on each panel to identify repainting and filler
- Panel gaps, alignment and signs of replaced panels
- Structural damage assessment — signs that the car’s structure has been repaired after an accident
- Glass, lights and exterior trim
Chassis and underbody
- Chassis and rust inspection
- Complete undercarriage check: exhaust, fuel and brake lines, underbody protection and visible damage
- Suspension arms, bushes, shock absorbers and steering components
Brakes, wheels and tyres
- Brake pads and discs
- Tyre condition, tread and age
- Wheel alignment assessment — uneven tyre wear and how the car tracks on the road
Electrical systems and diagnostics
- OBD diagnostic scan for stored and pending fault codes (how diagnostics help)
- Airbag and safety system checks
- Cameras and parking sensors
- Lights, windows, mirrors, infotainment and climate control
Premium adds luxury features and electronics testing for cars with advanced comfort and driver-assistance systems.
Road test
A comprehensive road test brings everything together: how the engine pulls, how the transmission shifts, how the car brakes, steers and rides, and whether any warning lights appear under load.
Drivetrain for 4x4 and AWD vehicles
Four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles have extra components that are expensive to repair. Premium includes a transfer case and differential assessment.
The report
A comprehensive inspection is only as useful as its report. Ours rates each system, includes photos of findings and ends with a repair recommendations summary. Premium adds an ultra-detailed buyer’s report, major component wear analysis, a senior inspector assessment, an inspector walkaround video, post-inspection Q&A support and a CARFAX vehicle history report.
Pro or Premium?
- Pro (AED 299, 400+ points): a complete picture of an everyday used car.
- Premium (AED 399, 600+ points): for luxury, performance, imported, 4x4 or high-value vehicles, where hidden problems cost more.
