Frequently Asked Questions - Mobile Pre-Purchase Car Inspection
Everything you need to know about our mobile pre-purchase car inspection service across all 7 UAE emirates.
How much does a pre-purchase car inspection cost in Dubai?
INSPECTMOTORS offers pre-purchase car inspections in Dubai starting from AED 299 for the Basic (240-point) package, AED 399 for the Sleep Easy (480-point) package, and AED 499 for the Stress Free (620-point) inspection for luxury and exotic vehicles. We also offer a fully online Accident Check at AED 99. All prices include 5% VAT.
Are there any hidden fees or extra charges?
No. The price you see is the price you pay. All packages are quoted including 5% VAT. There are no travel fees within Dubai or Sharjah. Light travel surcharges apply to remote emirates: Ajman/UAQ AED 79, Ras Al Khaimah/Fujairah AED 99, Abu Dhabi/Al Ain AED 149 — and they're shown clearly at checkout before you pay.
Which inspection package should I choose?
For most used cars in the UAE we recommend Sleep Easy (AED 399) — it includes the paint thickness gauge, full 480-point check, and SmartBuy Insight negotiation tool. Choose Basic (AED 299) for newer cars under 3 years old with full service history. Choose Stress Free (AED 499) for any luxury or exotic vehicle (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Range Rover, etc.). Start with Online Accident Check (AED 99) to screen a car remotely before viewing.
Do you offer discounts for multiple inspections?
Yes. Dealerships, fleet buyers, and customers booking 3 or more inspections get bulk pricing. Message us on WhatsApp at +971 55 145 4444 for a quote.
Why is the Stress Free package more expensive?
Stress Free is a 620-point specialist inspection designed for luxury, exotic, and high-performance vehicles. It requires more time (~2 hours), specialised diagnostic equipment, and an inspector with brand-specific experience. It also includes undercarriage borescope, advanced multi-module ECU scan, international VIN cross-check, and exotic parts authenticity verification.
Do you come to the car or do I bring the car to you?
INSPECTMOTORS is a fully mobile pre-purchase inspection service. Our certified inspectors travel to wherever the car is located — whether that's a dealership, private seller's home, parking garage, or any other location across all 7 UAE emirates. You don't need to move the car.
What areas of the UAE do you cover?
We cover all 7 UAE emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. Our inspectors travel to any location including Dubai Marina, JBR, JVC, Downtown Dubai, Mirdif, Business Bay, Deira, Al Ain, Khalifa City, Mussafah, and every other neighbourhood across the country.
Can I book an inspection at a specific dealership or showroom?
Yes — most dealerships and showrooms in the UAE allow third-party inspections. Our inspector will coordinate with the salesperson on arrival. If a particular showroom refuses an independent inspection, treat that as a significant red flag.
How quickly can you inspect a car?
We can often inspect same-day or next-day depending on inspector availability. Open the booking page, pick today's date, and any open time slots will be visible. For very urgent cases, WhatsApp us directly and we'll see if we can squeeze you in.
What are your operating days and hours?
We operate Sunday through Saturday, typically 8 AM to 7 PM UAE time. Friday slots are limited. We don't operate on UAE public holidays (Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, National Day) unless explicitly arranged.
What does the inspection actually cover?
Our 480-point Sleep Easy inspection covers engine health, transmission, suspension, brakes, steering, tyres, exterior body panels with paint thickness measurement, interior condition, electrical systems, air conditioning performance, OBD-II diagnostic scan across all modules, battery and alternator health, and a full road test. The 620-point Stress Free adds undercarriage borescope inspection, international VIN cross-check, advanced multi-module ECU scan, and exotic-parts authenticity verification.
Do you check for accident damage and repainted panels?
Yes. We use a professional paint thickness gauge on every body panel to detect repainted areas — even when the colour match is perfect. We also visually inspect for chassis straightness, weld marks, panel gap inconsistencies, and underbody damage. Paint condition is mapped onto an interactive 3D diagram in your report.
Do you check the engine oil and fluids?
Yes. We visually inspect engine oil colour and level, coolant condition, brake fluid, power steering fluid (where applicable), transmission fluid where serviceable, and look for any external leaks. We don't perform full lab fluid analysis — that's a specialist service usually arranged separately if required.
Do you take the car for a test drive?
Yes — Sleep Easy and Stress Free inspections include a road test by the inspector. The road test checks acceleration, braking, steering, suspension behaviour, transmission shifting, A/C performance under load, and any unusual noises. Distance and route depend on the location and traffic conditions.
Do you check the VIN and registration?
Yes. We verify the chassis number (VIN) on the car physically matches the Mulkiya / registration card and the listing. On Stress Free inspections we additionally cross-check the VIN against international databases for prior salvage, flood, or theft records.
How long does an inspection take?
Basic takes approximately 1 hour. Sleep Easy takes around 90 minutes. Stress Free takes around 2 hours including the extended road test. EV inspections take around 80 minutes due to the additional battery diagnostics.
Do I need to be present during the inspection?
No — most of our customers are not present, often because they're abroad or at work. All we need is the seller (or whoever has the car) to give our inspector access for the duration of the inspection. You receive the full report by email and WhatsApp as soon as it's complete.
What does the seller need to do or provide?
Very little. The seller needs to be at the agreed location with the car, hand over the keys for the inspection period, allow our inspector to take photos and conduct a road test, and ideally make the Mulkiya available for documentation checks. We don't need any paperwork from them in advance.
What if the seller refuses an inspection?
A genuine seller of a clean car has no reason to refuse an independent inspection. If they refuse outright, that's one of the strongest red flags possible — we'd recommend walking away from the deal. If they're hesitant due to time, we can usually accommodate their schedule.
Can I get the inspection done before I make an offer?
Absolutely — and it's the smartest order to do things in. Use our AED 99 Online Accident Check to screen the car first, then book a Sleep Easy inspection before placing any deposit. The findings give you objective evidence for negotiation, and you can walk away with no commitment if issues are serious.
How quickly do I receive the inspection report?
Your digital inspection report is delivered within 20 minutes of the inspection being completed. It includes a shareable web link and a downloadable PDF, sent to you by email and WhatsApp.
What does the report include?
The report includes an overall score out of 100, an inspector's written opinion, photos of every panel, a 3D paint condition diagram, a category-by-category breakdown across 16 sections (engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, electrical, interior, etc.), all warning lights and OBD fault codes, the road test summary, and on Sleep Easy/Stress Free packages the SmartBuy Insight negotiation analysis with estimated repair costs.
Can I share the report with my mechanic, family, or the seller?
Yes — the report is a shareable link plus a downloadable PDF. You can forward it via WhatsApp, email, or any messaging app. The link stays live for 30 days from when it's first shared; after that, the PDF version is yours to keep forever. We'll send you a reminder 3 days before the link expires.
What is SmartBuy Insight?
SmartBuy Insight is our exclusive feature included with Sleep Easy and Stress Free packages. It analyses every issue found during the inspection, calculates the typical UAE repair cost for each, and gives you a concrete number for how much to negotiate off the asking price — plus ready-to-use negotiation talking points.
What happens if the car has issues?
Nothing 'fails' or 'passes' outright — you receive a detailed condition score from 0 to 100, a list of every issue found, our inspector's professional opinion on whether the car is worth buying at the asking price, and the SmartBuy Insight negotiation analysis. The decision to buy, negotiate, or walk away is yours, but you make it with full information.
Do you exaggerate problems to scare buyers like some inspectors?
No — being fair is what we're known for. Many competitors blow up every minor flaw to scare buyers or wreck a deal. We don't. We report issues exactly as they are: minor when they're minor, major when they're major. Our job is to give you the honest truth so you can make an informed decision, not to create unnecessary fear or drama between buyer and seller. That balance is what makes ours the fairest inspection in the UAE.
Are your inspections fair to both the buyer and the seller?
Yes. We're independent and we work for the buyer, but being on your side doesn't mean inflating findings. We present the car's true condition — no exaggeration, no downplaying. This protects you from costly hidden problems while keeping the relationship between buyer and seller fair and intact. An honest, balanced report is better for everyone and leads to fair deals.
Do you inspect electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids?
Yes. We inspect Teslas, BYDs, Nissan Leafs, Lucid, Polestar, and all common EVs and hybrids in the UAE. EV inspections include battery state-of-health (SoH) check via OBD scan, charging port and cable inspection, motor and inverter checks, and all standard 480-point items that apply. EV inspections take around 80 minutes.
Do you inspect luxury and supercars?
Yes — that's exactly what the Stress Free package is for. We have specialist experience with Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, Aston Martin, Maserati, Range Rover, and similar brands. Stress Free includes brand-specific diagnostics, exotic parts verification, and undercarriage borescope inspection.
Do you inspect commercial vehicles, vans, or pickups?
Yes — vans, pickups, and light commercial vehicles (Hilux, Ranger, F-150, Nissan NV, etc.) all fit our Sleep Easy or Stress Free packages. Heavy commercial trucks and buses are outside our scope.
Do you inspect motorcycles?
Not currently. We specialise in passenger cars, SUVs, and light commercial vehicles.
Can you inspect a classic or vintage car?
Yes — classic and vintage cars are inspected under the Stress Free package due to their age, special parts, and the visual inspection depth required. Our inspector will note original-vs-restored components and document overall condition for collector purposes.
Do you inspect cars that have been imported from the US, Japan, or Europe?
Yes — and we strongly recommend it. Imported cars often carry hidden history including flood damage, salvage titles, or odometer rollback. The Stress Free package includes international VIN cross-check against multiple databases to surface this history.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay at checkout. We also offer 4 interest-free installments via Tabby. Cash on delivery is not currently supported — payment is required online when booking.
Do you accept Tabby installments?
Yes. At checkout you can split your payment into 4 interest-free installments with Tabby. The first payment is taken when you book; the rest are auto-charged over the following weeks.
What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
Cancel or reschedule for free more than 4 hours before your appointment. Within 4 hours of the appointment, a small fee may apply to cover inspector preparation. If our inspector arrives and, after waiting up to 30 minutes, the seller is a no-show or the car still isn't ready for inspection, an AED 199 call-out fee applies and the remaining balance is refunded to you.
Do you offer refunds if I don't like the report?
The inspection service is fulfilled once the inspection is performed and the report delivered, so the fee is non-refundable at that point. If we cancel or fail to deliver the inspection, you get a full refund. Concerns about report accuracy are reviewed individually and we'll re-attend at our cost if a legitimate gap is found.
Are your inspectors certified and insured?
Yes. Our inspectors are professionally trained mechanics with minimum 5+ years of UAE workshop experience and certifications relevant to modern vehicle systems. We carry professional indemnity and motor trade insurance covering the inspection activity and any test drive.
Is my data and the report kept private?
Yes. Your report is accessible only via a unique shareable link known to you. We don't sell customer data and don't share booking details with third parties. The report link expires 30 days after first share, after which the PDF download remains the permanent record.
Do you give advice on whether I should buy the car?
Yes. Every Sleep Easy and Stress Free report includes the inspector's written professional opinion: 'recommended to buy', 'buy with negotiation', or 'not recommended'. We also provide SmartBuy Insight estimates so you know how much to negotiate. The final decision is always yours, but you make it with all the data on the table.
Do you provide a warranty after the inspection?
The inspection is a snapshot of the car's condition on the day of inspection — it isn't a warranty. We document what we find at that moment. For warranty coverage on used cars, look into extended warranty providers separately. We can recommend trusted UAE warranty companies if you ask.
Can I use the report to negotiate with the seller?
Yes — that's a core purpose of our report. The SmartBuy Insight section gives you concrete repair cost estimates and ready-to-use negotiation lines. Most of our Sleep Easy customers negotiate AED 3,000–6,000 off the asking price using the findings; Range Rover and luxury customers often negotiate AED 6,000–12,000+.
What if I have questions about the report after I receive it?
Reply to the email or WhatsApp message with the report and we'll get back to you, usually within a few hours during working time. For complex follow-ups, we can arrange a 10–15 minute call with the inspector who did your car.
Can I add extra checks like a dyno or borescope to my inspection?
Borescope inspection of the undercarriage is included with the Stress Free package. Engine cylinder borescope, dyno runs, and other specialist tests aren't part of our standard packages but can sometimes be arranged on request — message us and we'll see what's possible.
How do I know I can trust INSPECTMOTORS?
We've completed over 1,200 inspections across the UAE, have hundreds of verified Google reviews, employ only certified mechanics with 5+ years of UAE workshop experience, carry professional indemnity insurance, and we publish our entire inspection methodology publicly. Every report is signed by the inspector who performed it.