Best in town 5 year/50k mile warranty
RoadsideÂ
assistance
0% interest financing options available
ASE certified technicians
Get a dealer alternative estimate on your repair
Free shuttle service while we work on your vehicle
400+ 5 Star Reviews
400+
Reviews
Free Second Opinion Inspection.
100% Price Match Guarantee.
Free Second Opinion Inspection. 100% Price Match Guarantee.
Pre-Purchase Inspection
Know What You’re Buying Before You Drive Away
A used vehicle can look perfect on the surface while hiding costly problems underneath. A pre-purchase inspection gives you a detailed understanding of a vehicle’s condition before you make a major investment.
Totally responsive and easy to work with. First time interaction was like dealing with an old friend. I’ve found my mechanic.
Totally responsive and easy to work with. First time interaction was like dealing with an old friend. I’ve found my mechanic.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Service
A Smarter Way to Evaluate Your Next Vehicle
Buying a car is about more than appearance, mileage, or a smooth test drive. Issues with the engine, transmission, suspension, electrical system, or previous repairs may not be noticeable until after ownership begins. A detailed inspection helps uncover concerns that could impact reliability, safety, and future repair costs.
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Our technicians carefully review key systems, checking for signs of wear, existing problems, and maintenance needs that may affect the vehicle’s long-term performance. Instead of leaving you to guess about a vehicle’s condition, we provide honest insight that helps you move forward with confidence. From private-party purchases to dealership vehicles, every inspection at Art of Maintenance is approached with the same level of care and attention. We focus on accurate findings, clear explanations, and practical recommendations so you understand the vehicle you’re considering, not just what it looks like on the outside.
Schedule A Pre-Purchase Inspection Service Today!
What a Pre-Purchase Inspection Can Reveal
Finding these concerns before purchase can help you avoid unexpected expenses and make a better-informed decision. Before committing to a used vehicle, an inspection can help identify:
Electrical faults and battery problems
Inspections can identify electrical system faults and battery-related issues, including a weak or failing battery, charging system problems, faulty wiring, malfunctioning sensors, blown fuses, or warning light concerns. Detecting these issues before purchase helps prevent unexpected electrical failures, reduces the risk of costly repairs, and ensures the vehicle’s critical systems are functioning properly.
Previous accident repairs or poor workmanship
A pre-purchase inspection can identify signs of previous accident damage or substandard repairs, including mismatched paint, improper panel alignment, frame damage, replacement body panels, poor welds, or non-factory repair work. Detecting these issues before purchase helps verify the vehicle’s structural integrity, uncover hidden damage, and ensure you make a more informed buying decision.
Uneven tire wear or suspension issues
A professional pre-purchase inspection can identify uneven tire wear and suspension problems that may indicate poor wheel alignment, worn shocks or struts, damaged steering components, or previous accident damage. Detecting these issues early helps prevent premature tire replacement, improves vehicle safety and handling, and provides a clearer understanding of the vehicle’s overall mechanical condition.
Hidden engine or transmission problems
A pre-purchase inspection can identify hidden engine or transmission problems that may not be noticeable during a test drive, such as fluid leaks, unusual wear, diagnostic trouble codes, or early signs of mechanical failure, helping you avoid costly repairs and make a more informed buying decision.
Brake system wear and safety concerns
Pre-purchase inspection can identify worn brake pads and rotors, leaking brake components, uneven brake wear, damaged brake lines, or other issues that may compromise stopping performance and vehicle safety. Detecting these problems before purchase helps you avoid unexpected repair costs, ensures the braking system is operating properly, and gives you greater confidence in the vehicle’s overall condition.
Fluid leaks and maintenance concerns
We can detect fluid leaks from the engine, transmission, cooling system, brakes, power steering, or differential that may indicate worn seals, failing gaskets, or other developing mechanical issues. It can also uncover signs of deferred or inadequate maintenance, including worn belts and hoses, contaminated or low fluids, overdue service intervals, aging filters, and other neglected components.
Warning lights or stored diagnostic issues
An inspection can detect active dashboard warning lights and stored diagnostic trouble codes that may indicate underlying engine, transmission, emissions, or electrical system faults, even if no symptoms are currently noticeable. Identifying these issues before purchase helps reveal hidden mechanical or electronic problems, prevents unexpected repair costs, and ensures the vehicle’s systems are functioning properly.
Cooling system weaknesses
We will identify cooling system weaknesses, including coolant leaks, worn hoses, a failing water pump, radiator damage, thermostat issues, or signs of engine overheating. Detecting these problems before purchase prevents costly engine damage, improves long-term reliability, and ensures the cooling system is operating efficiently.
ASE certified technicians
Get a dealer alternative estimate on your repair
Free shuttle service while we work on your vehicle
Helping Portland Drivers Buy With Confidence
Choosing the right vehicle in Portland, Oregon starts with having the right information. Our team combines experience, careful evaluation, and straightforward communication to make the buying process more transparent.
Get the information you need before making your next vehicle purchase, schedule a pre-purchase inspection with Art of Maintenance today.
Experiences.
Real
Results.
These guys know what there doing!
They got me in took care of my vehicle fixed everything that was wrong. The guy there are nice and have great customer service.
Had my oil pan replaced yesterday. Amazingly fast service! They also did a complete vehicle checkup on this older car and gave some tips on what needs to be done to keep everything working. Got more than I expected and paid less than quote. 5 stars for sure. Will use them again.
The Art of Maintenance is awesome! There’s been some maintenance done on our road with lots of screws on the road. The staff took care of my flat quickly and with great customer service.
My experience was wonderful. Precise information, clear cost estimates and great personal service. Any future repairs will be with Art of Maintenance.
Honest and fast repair. When i had questions Kevin took the time to explain. Great place for auto repair.
I’ve been taking my Honda CRV to this place for the past couple years. Before that I would take it to the dealer, but got fed up when the dealer could not diagnose a starter issue (it was a tricky problem but Art of Maintenance was able to figure it out). Art of Maintenance has top notch mechanics. They are very customer service oriented, easy to talk to, and I feel have always given me good information, and taken good care of my car. I have called around on some of the bigger repairs to compare prices and they are always competitive. I’m super happy with this car repair place. I would recommend it to anyone.
Alternator started going bad. Went in there at 3:00 pm by 4:00 pm the problem was fixed. Very nice people. One took my wife home while I waited for the repair.
Brought in our old X5 for a radiator leak and James and Kevin were communicative and helpful when it turned into much more of an issue.
Kevin at the Art of maintenance went above and beyond. I was having a terrible time with my old mechanic who could not find or fix a clunking sound in my suspension. After spending a couple grand there I took my car in exasperation to The Art of Maintenance. After gong through the car they recommended several mother thousand dollars worth of repairs that I needed that the previous mechanic had not found. After getting my car back from art of maintenance, three days later I started having major electrical issues and was forced to pull my car into the first mechanics place of business, it was right up the street from my work which is where I was headed. I was out of cash at the time from all of the maintenance costs and a costly surgical procedure. My car had to sit for 5 months while I recovered. Luckily the old mechanic said they would taxi my car over to AOM. AOM also said that they would just charge me costs for the parts and not the labor. With the surgery and the major car troubles it was considerably stressful. I am glad to have the car back and it runs great. hopefully for another 30k at least!
This shop did a great job Thank you
I can’t say enough amazing things about these guys! I have brought my old s10 pickup to numerous places over the years and this is the ONLY place I will ever go to from here on out. Not only are James, Kevin and the entire team genuinely friendly and professional, they have fixed numerous issues that no one else had been able to diagnose. Not only that but they installed mud flaps and an old bulb for free since it only took them 20 mins, I mean what other shop cares about loyalty this much? Art of Maintenance is by far the best in town. Won’t go anywhere else!
*Rates from 0%-36% APR. Payment options through Affirm are subject to an eligibility check, may not be available in all states, and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. Options depend on your purchase amount, and a down payment may be required. CA residents: Loans by Affirm Loan Services, LLC are made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license.
