Pre-purchase inspectionWinnipeg, MB
Know exactly
what you're buying.
I meet you at the vehicle, scan it with OBD2, and check for rust, leaks and hidden damage — then give you one clear answer: buy it, negotiate the price down, or walk away. In plain English, before you commit.
- OBD2 scan included
- Plain-English report
- Comes to the vehicle
- Same-day available
A real check — details changed
2017 Honda Civic LX
148,220 km · St. James · private sale
| OBD2 scan | 2 stored codesP0420, P0301 |
|---|---|
| Rust / underbody | Moderaterear subframe |
| Fluid leaks | None seen |
| Test drive | Slight hesitation2→3 shift |
| Tires / brakes | Tires at 4/32"replace soon |
| Body / paint | Repaint, R/ quarterundisclosed |
| Interior / electronics | All functional |
Worth buying — but not at the asking price.
Tires, the repaint and the misfire code are all documented leverage. Buyer settled $1,200 below ask.
On-site
I come to the car, anywhere in Winnipeg
OBD2
Live fault-code scan on every check
Same-day
Slots available when the schedule allows
$109–$149
Flat pricing, no hidden fees
How it works
Three steps. One clear answer.
No garage drop-off. No waiting. I come to wherever the car is in Winnipeg.
- 01
Send me the listing
Share the Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, or private-sale link. Include the address and when you're seeing it. That's it.
- 02
I meet you at the car
I show up at the vehicle — wherever it is in Winnipeg. You don't have to know anything about cars. That's what I'm there for.
- 03
You get a clear verdict
Buy it, negotiate a lower price, or walk away. Plain English, no jargon. You'll know exactly what I found and what it means for your wallet.
Seeing a car today? Send the listing now — same-day checks are available when the schedule allows.
Send the listingWhat gets checked
Everything a first-time buyer misses.
Sellers know their car's problems better than you do. I check the things that are easy to hide in photos and easy to miss if you don't know what you're looking for.
OBD2 fault code scan
Even when the check engine light is off, there can be stored or pending codes that cost thousands to fix. I scan it on the spot.
Test drive feel
Transmission hesitation, pulling under braking, clunks, vibration, and engine sounds that don't belong — hard to hide on a drive.
Rust, leaks, and past damage
Underbody rust, oil and coolant leaks, paint mismatch, rough body repairs, and signs of flood or accident damage.
Interior and electronics
Warning lights, HVAC, windows, infotainment, and anything inside the car that's broken or worn but easy to gloss over.
CARFAX history review
Accidents, insurance claims, title issues, lien checks, and mileage flags — available as an add-on with the Full Check + CARFAX package.
Plain-English verdict
Buy it confidently, bring up these issues and negotiate the price down, or walk away and avoid a bad deal. I tell you which and why.
Pricing
One real inspection. Two ways to buy it.
There's no cut-down option, because a cut-down inspection is how people miss things. Every check includes the OBD2 scan, the test drive and a written report — the only question is whether you want the vehicle's history pulled too.
Best for most buyers
Full Buyer Check
$109CAD
The complete pre-purchase inspection — and the standard one, not a stripped-down version of it. Every check ends in a written report you can hand the seller.
- I meet you at the vehicle, anywhere in Winnipeg
- OBD2 scan for stored and pending fault codes
- Test drive with notes on feel and concerns
- Rust, leaks, tires, brakes, electronics
- Written report with photos
- Negotiation points if issues are found
- Clear buy / negotiate / walk-away verdict
Full picture
Full Check + CARFAX
$149CAD
Best for private sales, rebuilt-title concerns, accident history, or when the seller can't explain the car's past.
- Everything in the Full Buyer Check
- CARFAX vehicle history report included
- Accidents, claims, liens, mileage flags
- History red flags explained in plain English
Comparing more than one car?
Each additional vehicle checked on the same visit. Say so in your booking notes and I'll block out the time.
+$59per extra vehicle
No deposit to bookPay after the checkTravel within Winnipeg included
Do the math
What the check is actually worth.
Set the asking price of the car you're looking at. The negotiation range is what buyers typically move a private seller once faults are documented in writing.
If it's missed
| Transmission repair or rebuild | $4,500 |
|---|---|
| Hidden flood damage | $7,000 |
| Head gasket failure | $3,600 |
| Timing chain replacement | $3,200 |
| Major underbody rust repair | $2,800 |
Typical negotiation range
$450
to $975 off the asking price
- Full Buyer Check
- $109
- Returned on the low end
- 4.1×
Estimates, not a guarantee. Negotiation depends on the car, the seller and what the check actually turns up — sometimes the honest answer is that the car is priced fairly and you should buy it.
Scope of service
Exactly what you're paying for — and what you aren't.
Plenty of listings promise more than they deliver. Here is the honest boundary of this service, in writing, before you book.
What this is
Your advocate at the car.
- I meet you at the vehicle, anywhere in Winnipeg
- OBD2 scan, visual check, and test drive notes
- Plain-English summary of what I find
- Clear buy, negotiate, or walk-away guidance
- Written report with photos on every check
Honest limitations
Not a mechanic inspection.
- Not a Manitoba Safety Inspection (MSI)
- Not a licensed mechanic certification
- Not a guarantee of vehicle condition
- Hidden or sealed components are not disassembled
- For a full hoist inspection, visit a licensed garage
Recent checks
Cars we've been under this month.
Every check ends in one of three calls. Here's how the last few went.
NegotiateBMW 3 Series
Sedan · Private sale
BuyBMW Coupe
European import · Kijiji
BuyFord F-150 XTR
Pickup · Private sale
Walk awayHyundai Genesis Coupe
Sports coupe · Marketplace
FAQ
Questions first-time buyers ask.
Straightforward answers so you know exactly what to expect before you book.
Yes, exactly. You don't need to know anything. I explain every finding in plain language and tell you clearly whether it matters and what it means for the price.
I come to wherever the vehicle is in Winnipeg. You don't need to arrange anything with the seller — I show up at the time you're already meeting them.
Photos are the seller's best foot forward. Rust hides underneath. Codes don't show up in pictures. Test drives reveal what photos never will. Most issues I find are invisible online.
One transmission issue is $2,000–$5,000. A timing chain job on the wrong engine is $3,000+. A flood car or a rebuilt-title lemon can be a total loss. A $109 check is cheap compared to any of those.
Yes. Send the listing link, the vehicle address, and when you're seeing it. I'll confirm the appointment and show up.
Same-day checks are sometimes available if the schedule allows. Mark your request urgent in the notes if you're seeing the car today and keep your phone nearby.
No. This is buyer-side help — I'm on your side, not certifying the car. If you need a Manitoba Safety Inspection, that's done by a licensed garage.
Absolutely. Tires, brakes, stored codes, rust, missing service history, and worn parts all give you real leverage to ask for a lower price. Many buyers recover the cost of the inspection in the negotiation.
Still unsure? Send the listing and ask in the notes — no obligation.
Book a check
Book an inspection before you commit.
An independent look at the vehicle, on the day you're seeing it. Send me the listing link, the location, and when you're seeing the car. I'll take it from there.
- 01The listing link
- 02Where the car is
- 03When you're seeing it
No deposit · Pay after the check
Disclaimer
Sal's CarCheck is not a licensed mechanic shop and does not perform Manitoba Safety Inspections. This is buyer-focused advisory help to identify common visible, driving, and scan-related concerns before a used-car purchase. No vehicle can be guaranteed problem-free. This service does not replace a full hoist or shop inspection from a licensed garage.