The 8 Best Used Car Pre-Purchase Inspection Services in Washington DC
The best way to make sure the used car you’re buying is reliable is to get a pre-purchase inspection. A third-party mechanic will inspect the vehicle before purchase and let you know if there are any mechanical or reliability problems that might make you reconsider.
Choosing a reliable mechanic for your pre-purchase inspection is important, since they’ll be giving you information that could cost (or save) you thousands of dollars, as well as potentially saving you the time, frustration, and stress that comes with an unreliable car.
We sifted through reviews, testimonials, business ratings, and more to provide the 8 best pre-purchase inspection services in Washington DC.
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Quick list: The best Pre-Purchase Inspection Services in Washington DC
- Capitol Hill Auto Service: Family run business that works on all vehicles
- Ben Nielsen’s 10th Street Automotive: Full service mechanic offering loaner cars
- Auto Tech Service: Expert mechanics with a wide range of expertise
- Jindal-Andre Automotive Services: Honest and upfront pricing
- DP Auto Service: Brakes and suspension shop
- Cherrydale Motors: Voted as a top shop in DC
- Hill Auto Repair: Electrical specialist that also sells vehicles
- Tenleytown Automotive: Full service shop that can work on classic cars
1. Capitol Hill Auto Service
Address: 615 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
Phone number: (202) 543-5155
Specialty: Family run business that works on all vehicles
Rating: 4.8 stars from 205 Google reviews
Website: https://www.capitolhillautoservice.com/
Serving the community since 2000, Capitol Hill Auto has established itself as a family run business committed to providing the absolute best in parts and service.
As a full service shop, Capitol Hill Auto offers expert mechanics that will fix your car to industry standards with a quick turnaround time.
Capitol Hill Auto provides a long list of perks including factory maintenance reminders and extended warranty package options. Capitol Hill Auto’s mechanics are there to guide you through the complicated process of deciding how to best take care of your vehicle.
DC residents are over the moon for Capitol Hill Auto: “I took my 03 Subaru Forester to Capitol Hill Auto Service a few times, for a reappearing check engine light and when my alternator gave up the ghost. The staff were friendly, helpful, and straightforward about what repairs were needed vs. what could wait. The prices were great, and the service was always quick. I appreciated their hours, which let me drop off my car before work instead of taking time off. I recommend them to all my friends needing repairs in DC.”
Let a friendly mechanic at the family owned Capitol Hill Auto help you with your pre-purchase inspection needs today.
2. Ben Nielsen’s 10th Street Automotive
Address: 518 10th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone number: (202) 544-1110
Specialty: Full service mechanic offering loaner cars
Rating: 4.6 stars from 233 Google reviews
Website: https://www.10thstreetautomotive.com/
Ben Nielsens’s is an established DC repair shop that is family owned and operated with the philosophy that all customers should feel calm and confident that their car repairs are being completed with the highest automotive standards.
Ben Nielsen’s is a full service repair facility that can fix any number of issues on all types of vehicles. Ben’s mechanics operate on a no pressure basis and will patiently walk you through all of your options.
In addition to great customer service, Ben Nielsen’s is a repair shop that offers convenient free loaner cars for when your repair takes longer than you can go without a car.
DC is smitten with Ben Nielsen’s: “From start to finish, I was impressed with the level of service I received from the team at Ben Nielsen’s 10th Street Automotive. The website is easy to use, contains all the necessary info and making an appointment was no problem. I went in for a tune-up and brake job. Dropped it off at 7am, picked it up by 2pm. I really appreciated the virtual write-up and breakdown of all the issues dealt with or needing attention. Overall, a great neighborhood mechanic! Highly recommend!”
Pre-purchase inspections often require expertise mechanics explaining issues to a customer with patience, something the staff at Ben Nielsen’s are experts at.
3. Auto Tech Service
Address: 1236 Mt Olivet Rd NE b, Washington, DC 20002
Phone number: (202) 797-7585
Specialty: Expert mechanics with a wide range of expertise
Rating: 4.8 stars from 100+ Google reviews
Website: https://www.autotechservicedc.com/
Auto Tech Service was established in 1999 with the goal of servicing clients and their cars with a good attitude and a fair price.
Auto Tech is a full service garage that works with consistently updated equipment to offer the very best in car repair for all your needs. The technicians at Auto Tech will take the time to explain every piece of the repair process.
Auto Tech only performs work that is of the best quality in the business. The technicians at Auto Tech are experts that won’t push you into unnecessary repairs.
DC loves Auto Tech Service: “Fast service, nice staff. I took a car in that I was considering buying and the owner took a look right away. He gave me a rundown of what he found in the car as well as some side advice about buying a hybrid. Then, he didn’t charge me for taking a look. Unbelievable, I didn’t know businesses like this existed in DC. Highly recommended!”
If you want your pre-purchase inspection followed up with a thorough walk-through of the car’s condition without high pressure sales tactics, then swing on by Auto Tech Service.
4. Jindal-Andre Automotive Services
Address: 1636 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone number: (202) 546-7905
Specialty: Honest and upfront pricing
Rating: 4.5 stars from 150+ Google reviews
Website: https://jindalauto.com/
Jindal-Andre Auto was established along the principles of providing great customer service so that you can enjoy your car repair experience as much as possible. The staff at Jindal-Andre know how important your vehicle is to your lifestyle and will do anything to preserve it for years to come.
Jindal-Andre is a full service garage that can operate on every problem a car could have for any model of car. Jindal-Andre employees expert technicians with the patience to explain every detail of the repair process.
Jindal-Andre is known for their upfront honest pricing which creates a trustworthy atmosphere with customers who can relax knowing their car will be taken care of without any hidden fees.
Jindal-Andre has had a positive impact on the DC area: “Excellent service!! The Owner and Staff are friendly, professional, and up front. Shawn my point of contact provided me with exceptional service and walked me through the process and later status until it was completed!”
If you need your pre-purchase inspection completed by mechanics that are focused on providing honest and detailed feedback on the state of your car, Jindal-Andre is the shop for you.
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5. DP Auto Service
Address: 636 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone number: (202) 546-7905
Specialty: Brakes and suspension shop
Rating: 4.8 stars from 153 reviews
Website: https://www.dpautodc.com/
DP Auto Service believes a trusting relationship with your mechanic is key to a safely operating vehicle. DP Auto mechanics will take time to help you understand how and why a repair will allow you to enjoy your vehicle as when it was new.
DP Auto specializes in brake and suspension replacement and repair with a focus on allowing you to enjoy the road in a comfortable and safe manner.
DP Auto builds trust with customers by offering upfront transparent pricing and repair plans that are presented in a low pressure informative way.
DC loves DP Auto: “David and his team are simply the most honest, professional and efficient auto folks in the business. If I’ve one regret, it’s that I came to know of DP Auto Service just a few years back - which means I’ve been throwing hard-earned money down the auto service hole with dealers over the years! Thank you David - for the honesty, the excellent service and the always-objective and always-professional guidance. As long as I own a car, I know where I’m going to go for ANY service.”
If you want a mechanic to look over your pre-purchase inspection with honesty, DP Auto will have a technician ready to help you out anytime.
6. Cherrydale Motors
Address: 3412 Lee Hwy., Arlington, VA 22207
Phone number: (703) 527-5511
Specialty: Voted as a top shop in DC
Rating: 4.5 stars from 97 Google reviews
Website: http://www.cherrydalemotors.com/
Established in 2007 as a way to provide honest and quick repair service to the DC community, Cherrydale Motors quickly became a local favorite with DC area residents voting it as a top shop.
Cherrydale Motors is a full service shop that hires expert mechanics to look after your car as if it was their own. The staff at Cherrydale are always willing to lend you help with automotive questions.
Cherrydale is a local favorite because of the quality of service that their technicians perform. As a family owned business, Cherrydale Motors will take care of you in a professional and courteous manner.
DC residents flock to Cherrydale Motors: “Great experience in getting my car checked over and inspected. They were fast, careful, and communicative. I thought the prices were very reasonable. Cherrydale Motors is a great local business to support.”
If you need an honest and straightforward pre-purchase inspection Cherrydale Motors will have you walking to your sale with confidence in no time.
7. Hill Auto Repair
Address: 712 E St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Phone number: (202) 543-4000
Specialty: Electrical specialist that also sells vehicles
Rating: 4.6 stars from 47 Google reviews
Website: https://www.hillauto.com/
Hill Auto was established in 1987 as a way to offer sales and service to customers that wanted to be treated with respect. Hill Auto’s technicians are masters at fixing every model of car and will help you out with any problem your car has.
Hill Auto is a full service garage and sales service with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Hill Auto parts and evaluation equipment are top quality for quick turnaround times and quality work.
Hill Auto specializes in the difficult and often expensive electrical repair business. Hill Auto mechanics will set you at ease with their thorough explanations and commitment to service.
Hill Auto is a local favorite: “I took my car here for some routine maintenance: tire rotation, oil change, etc. They were very communicative and timely, which is unfortunately not the case for all shops in the area. However, they were sure to call me with any updates or recommended maintenance after inspection and had the work done when they said they would. Overall, I would recommend them based on this experience.”
If you are looking into buying a vehicle with more electrical components than average, the electrical diagnostic experts at Hill Auto will gladly give you some help.
Tenleytown Automotive
Address: 4900 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
Phone number: (202) 844-2662
Specialty: Full service shop that can work on classic cars
Rating: 4.8 Stars from 47 Google reviews
Website: https://tenleytownautomotive.com/
Tenleytown Auto is a shop that services the DC region with a customer first attitude and a list of technicians that are experts at fixing your vehicle.
Tenleytown is one of the few DC area shops that can service the most modern cars to the classics. As a full service repair shop Tenleytown will have you out the door and driving safely in no time.
Tenleytown technicians are highly trained and have experience with every type of mechanical problem on every car. As experts, Tenleytown mechanics will explain all of your options plainly so that you can make the best decision.
DC residents flock to Tenleytown: “Had a car that sat idle during coronavirus. Caused some engine problems. Broke down a few blocks from Tenleytown Automotive. They were very friendly and very helpful. Diagnosed the car quickly, did their best to find me the cheapest price on parts, drove over right away to get the parts, and installed them super fast. Went from unexpected break down to back on the road in just a couple hours. Plus, I was visiting the vet, so I had my dog with me. They invited me inside with the air conditioning, to help my dog stay cool, and gave him a dish of water. Nice guys. Thanks! Definitely recommend them!”
If you need a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted garage with expert mechanics, Tenleytown will have you walking away as an expert on your vehicle.
The easiest way to find used cars in Washington DC
For the simplest way to find cars near you, take a look at the CoPilot app. We comb through dealer inventory to select the best vehicles in your neighborhood according to what you need in a car. We save you the hassle of having to call and verify listings from the numerous shops around you.
CoPilot Compare only pulls information on cars that are 5 years or newer to keep your driving experience modern and up to date. If you need a CPO, off-lease, or recent-model used car, CoPilot Compare is hands down the greatest way to find specials in your area.
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