I was looking to purchase a 20-21yr. old car, but I wanted a cream-puff. Getting something like this is like winning the lottery, it seems. I had actually come across a few other mobile mechanics who do inspections in the LA area before I came across Dennis and Auto Doc's. Here's what I found:
1. None of the other places check bodywork quantitatively (with instruments to measure paint thickness)
2. None of the other places check engine compression
3. None of the other places provide an easy to read checklist of different areas of the vehicle with grades on each and photos to illustrate detailed comments
4. The other 3 used car inspection mechanics I spoke with gave me generic advice about used vehicles, assuming I knew little to nothing about cars. One told me they would use their scanner to "scan codes" from the vehicle. Really? It's a 1994 vehicle, which means it's OBD1; you don't use your scanner, you use a paperclip and your eyes to look at a flashing check engine light. Another was surprised and even confused when I referred to catalytic converters as "cats", and told me "mechanics refer to them that way". The same guy (who is confusingly popular on Yelp) also refused to see a vehicle in downtown LA because he said it was an "unsafe area". He also charged significant extra fees for travel (from the Hollywood area) and for weekend service. Guess what kind of extra fees Dennis charged for traveling from *OC* to downtown LA ON A SUNDAY? Nothing. That's right, $0.00. This same competitor told me that "better-kept vehicles are usually in better parts of town" and I should be seeking those instead. Really, Einstein? Thanks for the insight. If he gave me a little credit, perhaps he'd realize I'd done my homework; the vehicle in question was in Beverly Hills for 99% of its life before it was bought by someone downtown and essentially stored for the past 2 years- I've done my own CARFAX and Lexus Service History check, thank you. In contrast, Dennis is a humble, "just the facts" type of guy. He doesn't give you unsolicited advice, even if he knows 10x more than you do about cars (and his emails indicate he does, and I know a decent amount about cars myself). He doesn't brag. He doesn't even respond to compliments I've sent him on his very detailed reports, which I respect. He only helps when asked. But most of all....
5. HIS REPORTS ARE INCOMPARABLE. If someone hasn't posted a picture of one of his reports, I will. NOBODY IN THE BUSINESS produces vehicle inspection reports with as much detail and useful information. In fact, I am looking at a car in Tucson, AZ so I found a used car inspection mechanic there. I sent him a copy of Dennis' report as an example of what I was looking for. He was so impressed that he emailed me back telling me the report I sent was excellent work and he asked just how much my mechanic was charging for this- turns out Dennis is charging $45 LESS than he was asking for a report with much less detail!
6. So, what did Dennis do for me? He pointed out several areas of major concern on a vehicle that looked mint to me in pictures, and was described as being "driven by an old lady, excellent condition" by the seller. As it turns out, it had received some very shoddy bodywork, and Dennis is the only used car inspection mechanic that could've pointed this out to me with proof to back it up, due to the sonar instrument he uses to check paint thickness; he even references these values vs. OEM factory paint specs. He also found dirty tranny fluid, oil leak, power steering leak, and rack & pinion leak that would require a pricey rack & pinion replacement. He detailed flaws with the car right down to old windshield wipers, headliner wrinkles (not tears), windshield chips (not cracks) and door carpeting that was losing its adhesive. This kind of detail in an inspection is unheard of, except in classic / exotic car evaluation.
7. Some reviews here say Dennis charges more than others, but I haven't found this to be true at all. Used car inspections, depending on the detail of the inspection, range from $80 - $300 in my experience. For the level of detail Dennis provides and NOBODY ELSE PROVIDES IN LA, I do not think less than halfway between these points is unreasonable in any way. Believe me, as someone who has owned used vehicles with many hidden problems that have cost me thousands of dollars over time, I consider his services a bargain.
Dennis' service is seriously one in a million. In fact, I am using him to checkout a 2nd used car tomorrow. He is a class act, and I cannot recommend him more highly. read more