20% of vehicles inspected have engine defects

The engine is the heart of any vehicle—and a costly component to repair if something goes wrong. We follow a structured, expert-led process to evaluate the engine of every used vehicle. Here's how we do it:

1. Visual inspection

We start by visually checking the engine bay for signs of:

• Oil leaks, coolant leaks, or residue buildup

• Rust or corrosion on engine components

• Worn-out belts or hoses that may indicate neglect

2. Oil & fluid analysis

• We examine the engine oil for level, colour, and consistency to spot signs of overdue maintenance or internal damage.

• We inspect the coolant and brake fluid to ensure proper levels and no contamination.

3. Engine sound & vibration check

• Our inspectors start the engine and listen for abnormal knocking, ticking, or vibrations during idle and light revving.

• We also assess the cold start behaviour—often where hidden issues show up first.

4. Exhaust smoke analysis

We look at exhaust smoke colour and behaviour during startup and acceleration:

• Blue smoke: May indicate oil burning

• White smoke: Possible coolant leakage

• Black smoke: Unburnt fuel or tuning issues

5. Diagnostic warning light check

• We verify if any check engine, oil pressure, or other dashboard alerts are active

• OBD scanning tools may be used to retrieve hidden error codes. 

6. Service history correlation

We compare our findings with the vehicle’s service history to identify any gaps or inconsistencies.

Don’t take chances. Get peace of mind before you buy.

AutoInspektor offers independent vehicle inspections, carried out by well-trained in-house professionals who know exactly what to look for. If you're buying a used vehicle, a professional inspection is the smartest investment you can make.