Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Birmingham
Buying a used car in Birmingham? From Motorpoint on Lichfield Road and Bristol Street Motors to the dealer strips along the Stratford Road and the Coventry Road, we inspect the car where it is for sale, with full diagnostics, a road test, a history check and a video report the same day, and we tell you whether it clears the Clean Air Zone.
Covering Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield at one price with no mileage charge
Pre-purchase car inspections in Birmingham
Birmingham's used cars are sold on a few well-known roads. Motorpoint's Birmingham store is at 2 Lichfield Road in Aston, by the Aston Expressway, with its Oldbury store on Churchbridge by M5 junction 2 for the Black Country side. Bristol Street Motors started on Bristol Street and still sells Ford there, just south of the city centre. The Stratford Road through Hall Green into Shirley is a long strip of franchised and independent forecourts, and the Coventry Road through Small Heath, Yardley and Sheldon is another. For supermarket stock, the choice is Motorpoint's two sites and Available Car at Castle Donington.
Much of the city's ex-fleet stock passes through BCA's Perry Barr centre between M6 junctions 6 and 7 before it reaches local forecourts. A full service book shows what was done, not what the miles have worn. We measure the wear, read every module and road test the car, so you decide with the facts in front of you and negotiate on them.
The price in Birmingham is the same as everywhere else we cover, with no mileage or call-out charge, whether the car is in Aston, Solihull or Sutton Coldfield. Book online, tell us where it is being sold, and we arrange the time with the dealer or seller. The video, photos and written report reach you the same day.
Postcodes B1 to B98, including Solihull B90 to B94 and Sutton Coldfield B72 to B76.
Every inspection includes
Where we inspect in Birmingham
Any dealer forecourt, car supermarket, auction collection or private seller's driveway. These are the main places people in Birmingham buy from.
Motorpoint Birmingham, Lichfield Road, Aston
The city's biggest supermarket, by the Aston Expressway and M6 junction 6. Reserve the car, tell them an inspector is coming, and we inspect before you sign.
Stratford Road, Hall Green and Shirley
The A34 strip of franchised dealers and independents running out towards Solihull, including Bristol Street Motors Ford in Shirley. Reserve the car and we inspect it on the forecourt before you sign.
Coventry Road, Small Heath to Sheldon
The A45 strip: franchised sites around Small Heath Highway and independents through Yardley, close to the airport and the M42.
BCA Birmingham, Perry Barr
Three lanes and 450 cars under cover, between M6 junctions 6 and 7. If the car you are looking at came through here, the Premium inspection traces its history.
Private sellers across the city
Edgbaston, Harborne, Erdington, Sutton Coldfield, Kings Heath, Castle Bromwich and Solihull. Tell us the postcode when you book and we will tell you if it is inside the Clean Air Zone.
Included in Standard and Premium
What your mechanical report covers
An in-depth mechanical inspection brings the physical checks, diagnostic results and driving behaviour together. Your report explains the condition we found, the concerns and their significance for your purchase.
Engine & cooling system
Oil and coolant condition and levels, visible leaks, belts and hoses, engine mounts, timing-drive noise and engine performance under load where applicable.
Gearbox & drivetrain
Gearbox and clutch operation where fitted, gear changes, mounts, driveshafts and CV joints, with findings on unusual noise, vibration and driving behaviour.
Brakes, steering & suspension
Accessible pads, discs, calipers and brake lines; parking brake, steering, suspension components, dampers, joints and bushes; wheel and tyre condition.
Diagnostics & electrical systems
Full-system scan for available fault codes and warnings, plus 12V battery and charging checks. EV and hybrid inspections include relevant powertrain, charging and battery-management checks where supported.
Road-test findings
How the car accelerates, changes gear, brakes, steers and handles, including unusual noises and vibration. Premium includes an extended road test. Road tests depend on safety and permission.
Evidence, priorities & buying advice
Written findings, photos and a clear video review explain the issues observed and what needs attention. A personal call helps you understand the concerns and decide what to ask before buying.
Checks are adapted to the vehicle and accessible components. The report records any checks that could not be completed. Both packages also include bodywork, interior and vehicle history checks. Keep the video, photos and report as evidence of the issues observed at the time.
Choose the inspection that suits the car
Clear pricing, the same anywhere in Birmingham, with no quote to request first.
Standard Inspection
£199.99
160-point pre-purchase inspection
An in-depth mechanical inspection of the relevant engine and drivetrain, brakes, steering, suspension and diagnostics. Includes road test, vehicle history, a clear video review, photo evidence and personal buying guidance.
Book StandardPremium Inspection
£249.99
260-point pre-purchase inspection
Everything in Standard, including the video review, plus deeper condition checks, paint-depth readings, an extended road test, available auction, salvage and previous advert searches, and checks for indicators of undisclosed motor trading. Subject to available records, seller cooperation and road-test permission.
Book PremiumBuying an electric or plug-in hybrid car in Birmingham?
Add a CARA Approved® Autel EV Battery State of Health report to either inspection for £49.99, or book the battery check on its own for £149.99. It isn't included in Standard or Premium.
+£49.99
EV battery detailsCompare what's included
Standard
£199.99
160-point inspection
Premium
£249.99
260-point inspection
In both inspections
- We come to the carAt the dealer, the seller's home or yours, across London, Essex, East Anglia and the Midlands
- History checkOutstanding finance, insurance write-off, stolen and mileage records
- Full diagnostic scan
- Engine, gearbox, brakes, steering, suspension and tyres
- Electric and hybrid fault checksHigh-voltage, charging and battery-management systems, where supported
- Road testExtended in Premium
- Video review, photos and a same-day report
- Personal call and buying advice
Premium also adds
- Paint-depth readings on suitable panels
- Deeper bodywork and condition assessment
- Repair-cost guidance and an action planWhat to fix now, within three months and later
- Seller and logbook (V5C) checksWhere documents and permission are available
- Auction, salvage and previous advert searchesIncluding Copart, where records are available
- Checks for signs of undisclosed motor trading
Optional EV battery State of Health report
+£49.99
The battery's health as a percentage, with its own report. Not included in either inspection. For compatible electric and plug-in hybrid cars.
Standard + report£249.98
Premium + report£299.98
Only need the battery checked? The battery health check on its own is £149.99.
Searches depend on the records available, and electric checks on what the car supports.
What happens after you book?
Choose a package and appointment
Book online, pick your time and tell us where the car is being sold.
We drive to the car
We come to the seller or dealer anywhere in Birmingham, at the same price with no mileage or call-out charge.
We inspect and test
We carry out the physical, diagnostic, history and road-test checks, and film the video review at the car.
Understand before you decide
You get the video review, photos and digital report the same day, then we talk through the findings and the buying decision with you. Keep the evidence for future reference.
See a sample inspection report
See the level of detail, findings and checklist before you book.
View sample reportEV battery health checks
What the State of Health assessment checks on compatible electric and plug-in hybrid cars.
EV battery healthQuestions from Birmingham buyers
Does the Birmingham Clean Air Zone affect the diesel I am looking at, and can you tell from the inspection whether it is Euro 6?
Yes. Diesels need Euro 6 to avoid the £8 daily charge inside the A4540, which in practice means most diesels registered from late 2015 on, but some earlier cars comply and some later ones do not. We check the car's actual emissions standard against the official checker and tell you in the report, before you pay.
Do you charge extra for Birmingham, Solihull or Sutton Coldfield?
No. The price is the same anywhere in Birmingham, with no mileage or call-out charge: Standard £199.99, Premium £249.99, and the EV battery check £149.99.
Can you inspect a car at BCA Perry Barr before I bid on it?
Rarely. Auction viewing windows are short and the cars are sold as seen, so a full inspection before the hammer is not usually possible. Once the car is yours we can inspect it at home or, by arrangement, at the site. If a dealer has just bought it from the sale, we inspect it on their forecourt and the Premium package traces its auction history.
The car is an ex-private-hire car with high mileage. What should I expect you to find?
Usually a young car that has done a lifetime of work. Expect worn rear seats and door cards, a tired clutch or gearbox, brakes and suspension at the end of their life, and possibly holes from a roof sign or plate. None of that is a reason not to buy if the price reflects it, and the report gives you the list to negotiate with.
Do I need to be there?
No. We can inspect the car directly with the seller or dealer and send you the video review, photos and report afterwards, then talk it through with you on the phone.
Will you tell me whether to buy the car?
We give you the findings, point out what matters and what it is likely to cost, and talk it through so you can make your own decision. We have no commission from the sale, so the advice is straight.
Page last checked 20 October 2026 by Henry, Pro Vehicle Inspections.
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Inspect it before you buy it.
Independent pre-purchase vehicle inspections in Birmingham from £199.99.
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