Pre-Purchase Inspection / Sample report
Sample inspection report
Every Purist Spec PPI is written up exactly like this. Example vehicle shown — 120+ data points, measured, photographed and explained in plain English.
Purist SpecPre-Purchase Inspection Report
REPORT PS-0147 · OCT 14, 2026SAMPLE
Vehicle2018 BMW M3 Competition
VINWBS8M9C5•••••4821
Odometer48,210 mi (matches listing)
ExteriorMineral White · carbon roof
InteriorBlack / blue full leather
EngineS55 3.0L twin-turbo I6
Transmission7-speed DCT
DrivetrainRWD
SellerDealer · San Jose
WeatherDry, 68°F, daylight
CustomerJordan L.
InspectorDominic
VerdictNEGOTIATE
A well-kept, mostly original M3 with a healthy engine and clean structure. The left rear quarter has been repainted over body filler — a prior collision repair that is not on the history report. Rear tires and brake fluid are due, and the license plate light is out.
Est. cost of findings$1,400–$1,950
Items checked124
Photos68
Condition scores · out of 10
Paint6
Body & structure8
Wheels & tires6
Brakes7
Mechanical8
Interior9
Originality8
GGood Inspected and OKCCaution Needs attention soonBBad Needs attention nowPaint in mils · Tread in 32nds · Pads checked visually · Rotors by feel
01
Paint & body
Measured with a paint-depth gauge on every panelPaint depth map
Factory paint on this car reads 4.5–5.5 mils
FactoryRefinishedRepaint + fillerCarbon roof
PANELMILSFINDINGSTATUS
Front bumper7.2Refinished — likely rock-chip respray, good matchGCB
Hood5.1Factory paint, PPF installedGCB
LF fender4.7FactoryGCB
LF door5.2Factory · small ding (see #3)GCB
LR door4.9FactoryGCB
LR quarter9.8Repaint over body filler, 14–22 mils at wheel archGCB
Carbon roof—Carbon fiber · clear coat intact, no yellowingGCB
Trunk lid5.0FactoryGCB
Rear bumper5.3Factory · scuff lower edge (see #7)GCB
RF fender5.0FactoryGCB
RF door4.8FactoryGCB
RR door5.1FactoryGCB
RR quarter4.9FactoryGCB
Paint condition
Clear coatNo failure, fading or peelingGCB
Swirls & marringModerate wash swirls — one-step polishGCB
Texture matchLR quarter orange peel differs from doorGCB
Color matchLR quarter slightly off in direct sunGCB
OversprayOn LR quarter window seal and trimGCB
Masking linesVisible tape line in LR door jambGCB
Door jambs & sillsFactory sealer and paintGCB
Rock chipsHood edge, ~15 small, under PPFGCB
PPF & coatingsFront PPF, edges sealed · no ceramicGCB
Hail & roofNo hail damageGCB
Panel fit · glass · lighting · trim
Panel gapsLR quarter-to-trunk 6 mm vs 4 mm right sideGCB
Doors, hood, trunkAligned, close evenlyGCB
Factory seam sealerIntact except LR quarter (resealed)GCB
WindshieldAftermarket glass, no rain sensor faultGCB
Side & rear glassOEM, date codes matchGCB
HeadlightsClear, no haze or moistureGCB
Tail lightsOEM, no cracksGCB
Exterior trimGloss black trim, no fadingGCB
Badges & emblemsCorrect, originalGCB
MirrorsFold and heat correctlyGCB
Dent · scratch · chip log
#LOCATIONTYPESIZENOTE · FIXSTATUS
1Hood leading edgeRock chips~15 smallUnder PPF · cosmetic onlyGCB
2Front bumperChipsFew, tinyAlready refinished onceGCB
3LF doorDoor dingDime sizeNo paint break · PDR about $125GCB
4LR quarterPrior repairArch to doorFiller under repaint · discloseGCB
5RR doorScratch3 inClear coat only · polishes outGCB
6Trunk lidScratch1 inNear handle · polishes outGCB
7Rear bumperScuff4 inLower edge · touch-upGCB
8RF fenderChipPinheadTouch-upGCB
9Roof railsWearLightNormalGCB
Wheels · OEM forged 20 in
LEFT FRONTCaution
Moderate curb rashOuter lip, about 5 in · refinish
RIGHT FRONTGood
CleanNo rash, bends or cracks
LEFT REARGood
CleanNo rash, bends or cracks
RIGHT REARCaution
Light curb rashAbout 1 in · cosmetic
02
Tires & brakes
Tread measured inner · center · outerLEFT FRONTGood
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S265/30R20 · DOT 2223 · 3 yrs
Inner7/32
Center7/32
Outer7/32
PSI found 36 · Even wear
Pads: GoodRotors: Smooth
RIGHT FRONTGood
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S265/30R20 · DOT 2223 · 3 yrs
Inner7/32
Center7/32
Outer7/32
PSI found 35 · Even wear
Pads: GoodRotors: Smooth
LEFT REARCaution
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S285/25R20 · DOT 2223 · 3 yrs
Inner3/32
Center4/32
Outer5/32
PSI found 33 · Inner edge wear
Pads: GoodRotors: Light lip
RIGHT REARCaution
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S285/25R20 · DOT 2223 · 3 yrs
Inner3/32
Center4/32
Outer5/32
PSI found 34 · Inner edge wear
Pads: GoodRotors: Light lip
Matching set: yes, all four same brand and modelRear inner-edge wear: alignment check recommendedBrake fluid dark — flush recommendedNo spare · inflator kit present
03
Mechanical
Cold startVerified cold · no rattle, smoke or hunting idleGCB
Idle & throttleSmooth, no misfireGCB
Oil level & conditionFull, clean · no fuel smellGCB
Valve cover gasketLight seep, rear cornerGCB
Oil filter housingDryGCB
Coolant & hosesFull, no leaks or crustingGCB
Belts & pulleysNo cracks or noiseGCB
TurbosNo shaft play, no whine or whistleGCB
Brake fluidDark in reservoir · flush recommendedGCB
Battery & charging790 / 850 CCA · 14.2 VGCB
04
Scan & electrical
Modules scanned38
Active codes0
Stored history2
DME (engine)No active codes · readiness completeGCB
Recent code clearNo signs of a recent resetGCB
DCT moduleNo faults · adaptations normalGCB
Stored history2 old low-voltage codes · battery relatedGCB
Airbags & SRSNo faultsGCB
ABS, DSC & TPMSNo faults, sensors readingGCB
05
Enthusiast notes · F80 M3 / S55 watch list
Known weak points for this model, checked by name. This is the stuff a generic inspection skips.
Charge pipeGood
Upgraded to aftermarket aluminum pipe
Crank hubCaution
Factory hub, not upgraded — ask seller, budget for it
Valve cover gasketCaution
Early seep found (see Mechanical)
DCT fluid serviceCaution
No record — recommended at this mileage
Rear diff seepGood
Light, common — monitor
Carbon roof clear coatGood
No yellowing or cracking
06
Interior
Driver bolsterLight wear, no tearsGCB
Seats & leatherClean, no cracksGCB
Steering wheelMinimal shineGCB
Dash & trimNo cracks, rattles or sun damageGCB
HeadlinerNo sag or stainsGCB
Carpets & matsDry, no water linesGCB
Seat beltsRetract and latchGCB
Odor & smokeNoneGCB
07
Functions & controls
Every light, switch and feature testedExterior lights
Low beamsGood
High beamsGood
Fog lightsGood
Turn signalsGood
HazardsGood
Brake lightsGood
Third brake lightGood
Reverse lightsGood
License plate lightLeft bulb outCaution
Glass & visibility
Windows (all 4)Good
MoonroofCarbon roofN/A
Front wipersBlades streakingCaution
Rear wiperSedanN/A
Washer fluid sprayGood
Front defrostGood
Rear defrostGood
Mirrors · adjust, fold, heatGood
Interior controls
Switches & buttonsGood
Power seatsGood
Seat heatersGood
Seat memoryGood
Steering wheel controlsGood
Cruise controlGood
Interior & dome lightsGood
HornGood
Climate
A/C42°F at ventsGood
HeatGood
Fan speedsGood
Vent modesGood
Electronics
Gauge clusterGood
Warning lightsAll self-test, none stay onGood
iDrive & navGood
Bluetooth & audioGood
USB & 12VGood
Backup cameraGood
Parking sensorsGood
Keys & access
Key fobs (2)Good
Lock & unlockGood
Trunk releaseGood
Fuel doorGood
Comfort accessGood
08
Originality & mods
Charge pipeAftermarket aluminumModified
Front PPFHood, bumper, mirrorsAdded
WindshieldAftermarket glassNon-OEM
ExhaustOEMStock
Intake & downpipesOEMStock
Engine tuneNo signs of tune on DME scanStock
Suspension & heightOEM adaptive, factory heightStock
WheelsOEM forgedStock
09
Documents & history
TitleClean per seller · verify with DMVGCB
History reportNo accidents listed — LR repair not reportedGCB
Service recordsDealer records to 42k miGCB
Keys2 keys, both workGCB
Books & manualsPresentGCB
Open recallsNone openGCB
Window stickerNot availableGCB
Owners2 owners per historyGCB
10
Recommended service & estimated cost
NowAsk seller to disclose LR quarter repair — use to negotiate—
SoonReplace both rear tires (pair)$650–$800
SoonFour-wheel alignment after tires$150–$200
SoonBrake fluid flush$120–$160
SoonDCT fluid service$350–$500
SoonLicense plate bulb + front wiper blades$40–$70
WatchValve cover gasket seep$400–$600 when due
OptionalLF wheel refinish + PDR on LF door ding$200–$300
Estimated total$1,400–$1,950
Estimates are typical Bay Area independent-shop pricing, for negotiation only.
11
Photos
68 in full reportLR quarter · paint meter 9.8 mils
LR quarter · overspray on seal
LR door jamb · masking line
Hood · chips under PPF
LF wheel · curb rash
Rear tire · inner edge wear
Valve cover · seep
License plate light · out
Inspected by
Visual and non-invasive inspection of the vehicle as found on the inspection date. Not a warranty or guarantee of future condition.Dominic · Purist Spec
Appraisal · insurance · body shop · dealer backgroundWant this on the car you're looking at?
$250 flat · mobile across the Bay Area · book at least 2 days out