Maintenance · Bosch Car Service Roeselare
Pre-purchase inspection
Buying a used car is a matter of trust: you rely on what the seller tells you and on what you see yourself during a short test drive. A pre-purchase inspection takes that trust out of gut feeling and turns it into a concrete check: engine, chassis, electronics and the spots where damage hides are examined by someone with no stake in the sale.
We carry out that check independently, even if the car is not with us: you simply bring it in, or we arrange to meet where it is. We look at the engine and gearbox, suspension and brakes, the electronics and fault codes, welds and panel thickness for signs of accident damage, and the plausibility of the mileage against wear and service history. You get an honest report, with photos and plain language, so you decide yourself whether to buy, have it repaired before purchase, or walk away. We sell used cars ourselves, and that is exactly why we know where the problems hide in a car.
When do you get a pre-purchase inspection?
- You are buying a used car from a private seller, with no warranty or buy-back guarantee
- The seller provides no service history, or an incomplete one
- The price seems (too) good for the car's age or mileage
- You have doubts about welds, panel thickness or paint that looks just a bit too fresh on one panel
- You are buying remotely and cannot assess the car thoroughly yourself
Why Cornette?
- Independent check: we are not selling you anything, we simply report what we see
- Engine, chassis, electronics and bodywork thoroughly checked, including what the naked eye misses
- Mileage checked against wear and service history for plausibility
- An honest report with photos, the same day, that you use to negotiate or decide
What does it cost?
Prices for this service are coming soon. In the meantime, ask for your free quote and you get an estimate the same day.
The exact price depends on model and engine. Ask for your free quote and you get an estimate the same day. That way you are never surprised.
Free and without obligation
Payment options
Pay the way that suits you.
Bank transfer
Before or after the work, with an invoice.
Cash up to € 3,000
The legal limit for commercial transactions. Above € 3,000 the balance is paid electronically.
Pay in instalments with Klarna
We are working on offering instalment payments.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do you check during a pre-purchase inspection?
We examine the engine and gearbox (leaks, noises, fault codes), check the suspension, brakes and tyres, test the electronics and comfort features, and look for signs of accident damage in welds, panel thickness and paint thickness. We also compare the mileage with the wear on the steering wheel, pedals and service book. Everything is set out clearly in your report.
Can a pre-purchase inspection find hidden damage?
Often yes. Repaired accident damage leaves traces that are hard to see with the naked eye: uneven paint thickness, filler, replaced welds or panels that do not line up to factory tolerances. With a paint thickness gauge and a thorough visual check we find those traces. An inspection is not a guarantee a car never had damage, but it is a strong indication.
Can you tell if the mileage has been tampered with?
Fully conclusive proof is rarely possible, but we check the mileage against objective signals: wear on the steering wheel, pedals and seats, service stamps, inspection history and the condition of wear parts. If that picture does not match the odometer, we state it explicitly in your report so you can take it into account.
Do I need to bring the car to Cornette, or do you come to us?
Usually you bring the car to our workshop in Roeselare, together with the seller or after picking it up temporarily. If the car is too far away, discuss the options with us; in practice a check at our workshop is the most thorough, since that is where we have all our equipment.
You sell used cars yourselves, isn't that a conflict of interest?
During a pre-purchase inspection we work for you, not for the seller, even if that car has nothing to do with Cornette. If anything, it is precisely because we buy and assess used cars ourselves every day that we know exactly where the risks lie and what an honest check requires. Your report is neutral, whoever you end up buying from.
If you find a problem, can I still negotiate?
Yes. Your report is yours to use however you want: as a negotiating point with the seller, as a basis to get a repair quoted before you buy, or simply to decide with peace of mind whether to buy or not.
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