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.
Kevin and team got the job done when promised. Best service I’ve experienced including rides to and from work. The most appreciated surprise is when my car was delivered to me after my second appointment! Thank you for getting the job done when promised! I highly recommend Art of Maintenance to eveyone! Thanks again!
Great service.
These guys are great. They are honest, quick and they do good work. Customer service is outstanding as well!
I’ve been taking my cars here for years and have been happy with the professionalism of the staff and quality of service.
Great and fast service. Got me back on the road asap.
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.
Quick, thorough, no surprises, they get the job done, with quality.
I need my car for getting back and forth to work. So any problems that might come up is a major issue. I contacted Art of Maintenance and told them problem and my situation. I spoke to Kevin and he understood my situation. I was able to arrange for my vehicle to be taken to their shop where they quickly found the issue. Kevin called me back and gave the run down of the problem and the price of the repairs. The charges were reasonable and the repairs were done quickly and professionally. As a person who has over 35 years of customer service experience I can tell the difference between good and bad service. They delivered great service and was able to get the job done and me back on the road in the time they promised. I would use their again and recommend them as well.
Very happy with the service. They did a great on my car!
Whew! AOM saved our lives! Last day of road trip from California… get in car and tire is low! Pop into AOM and within moments they’re checking our tire and fixing it for FREE!! Some where on the trip we got a nail in the tire!! 20 minutes later and were back on the road!! Thank you tons!!!
I was downtown last weekend when my car suddenly started having problems. I was at a shop on NW 23rd and the car struggled to start. I finally got it started however it still sounded very strange. I puled out of the parking lot and started driving to find a local auto shop. Suddenly my car temp went to extreme hot in seconds. I knew there was an immediate problem. We got to the auto shop to find they were closed on weekends. Fortunately my friend with my had AAA and had my car towed to Art of Maintenance. They are AAA Certified and boy am I glad that first shop was closed.
Dan’s team quickly diagnosed my problem. The radiator fan was not reconnected after the starter was changed at another mechanic shop (to remain nameless) less than a month ago. Plugged it back in and I was good to go back to the Starlight Parade Festivities.
I have found my future mechanic!
You better believe I went to the nameless mechanic shop to get reimbursed for the diagnostic cost and will be visiting Art of Maintenance this weekend to give them all of my needed repair business.
Got the brakes diagnosed and replaced on my 1990 Mercedes. They did an excellent job diagnosing the brakes’ status, letting us know what was needed and then replaced as needed. They were timely, professional and didn’t try to ‘upsell’ us into more expensive work (a big, big PLUS!). We’ll be back.
