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.
excellent service!
Dropped vehicle off one day. Came back by to get an estimate about when it would be finished, and it had already been completed.
I just moved into the city for grad school and had been shopping around for a mechanic for my 4runner. A quick google search pulled up a few in the neighborhood, and out of the five that I called Art of Maintenance piqued my interest from the first time they picked up the phone. The staff was friendly and respectful; which in my opinion is a great first step in looking for a reliable, trustworthy auto shop. The shop is well organized and clean, I was greeted and checked in quickly. I had a minor repair that needed to be done and they got me in and out of there fast. I plan to go to Art of Maintenance in the future for all my auto needs.
When we arrived at Art of Maintenance (after waiting for 2 hours for our AAA tow truck) it was just a few minutes before they closed. Thankfully they were really friendly and helped us right away. Our car was ready to pick up the next day, and we couldn’t have been happier with the service!
Got me in and out quick! Great shop!
I’ve trusted my 1996 Ford Ranger pick up to this shop for the last two years. Very efficient and trustworthy. Work is completed on time and here’s a surprise, every once in a while Art of Maintenance will contact me to make sure my Ranger is performing as it should. Consider them.
always happy with the service here, i highly recommend!
Referred here by a friend who has been having her truck fixed by Art of Maintenance for years. They were clear on their policies of sanitizing touch points–which at this time is important and was much appreciated. They were helpful on the phone, got me in next day, and had everything fixed up within a few hours. They provided great work that felt fair & friendly. I plan to come back here for any mechanical needs.
Art of maintenance Was so helpful when I broke down on The freeway . I was able to get my Toyota in Diagnosed and repaired in the same day ! The staff was very friendly and knew what they were doing . To top it off I cannot believe they had a five year 50,000 mile warranty on parts and three-year warranty on labor nationwide
The fellas performed a transmission fluid & filter replacement on my Silverado right before Christmas. Friendly and prompt overnight service. I will be returning for future repairs.
Great service and friendly staff. Helped me get some answers on a mysterious slow tire leak and recycled my rotors which had been living in my trunk for months!
Definitely would recommend their work and customer service. Thanks Art of Maintenance!
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.
