BetterWheels inspections do not serve as substitutes for state safety inspections or SMOG tests. Scheduling an inspection through the BetterWheels platform does not guarantee that your vehicle will pass a state inspection or SMOG test.

Pre-purchase inspections rely on the Technician's observations and auditory assessments. Factors like weather, lighting, and vehicle cleanliness can affect accuracy, making it harder to spot issues like repainting or bodywork. For the best results, the vehicle should be clean, dry, and well-lit. Technicians do not clean or disassemble vehicles during inspections.

BetterWheels services are based on what you could observe if you had the same expertise as the Technician. Since inspections involve subjective judgment, the Technician's conclusions are their opinion and may differ from yours. Inspections are visual only, without using hoists or tools to dismantle the vehicle, so some issues may not be detectable.

Technicians inspect vehicles at the seller's location, using floor jacks instead of a lift. These inspections are not diagnostic jobs, and no diagnostic equipment is used. While VINs may be identified, their authenticity, history, or title is not verified. Inspections cover only the items listed in the report. If an item is not mentioned in the report, assume it wasn't inspected. Technicians may conduct test drives, if possible, but it's not required. If a test drive isn't noted in the report, it wasn't done.

Inspection reports are not guaranteed or warranted, as the vehicle's condition can change between the inspection and purchase. Technicians can't see inside the engine or transmission and don't dismantle the car, so some problems may not be evident. While Technicians rely on their expertise to perform diagnoses, we cannot guarantee that every issue will be identified during the initial inspection. Sometimes, diagnosing a problem requires a process of elimination-replacing a suspected faulty part to determine if the issue persists.

BetterWheels does not provide advice on a vehicle's value, whether to purchase it, or authenticate its origin. Any decision to purchase is at your own risk. BetterWheels inspections do not ensure a vehicle's emissions compliance or performance, and they do not create any warranty. Your recovery for defects is limited to any warranty the seller may offer.

Our scoring approach is intended to simplify the process of assessing the vehicle's overall condition by factoring multitude of items observed and recorded. Point deductions for individual fault items are calculated based on the percentage each issue represents within its designated category. Additional weighing may also be applied based on the importance of the system in which the fault is found.

For example, minor cosmetic issues typically carry a smaller point deduction than major faults in critical systems such as the drivetrain. However, when multiple cosmetic issues are present, their combined impact may equal or exceed the point deduction associated with a single fault in a more vital system.

In addition to factoring the fault items, the vehicle's mileage is also factored into the vehicle's score to account for normal wear and tear over time. One percentage point is deducted for every 10,000 miles driven, up to the first 100,000 miles. This reflects the expected wear a vehicle experiences during its initial service life. For example, a vehicle with 10,000 miles will receive a one-point deduction, even if it is otherwise in excellent condition. After the first 100,000 miles, an additional five points are deducted for each subsequent 100,000 miles. These deductions are applied in addition to those assessed during the initial 100,000-mile period.

In rare cases, certain vehicles, such as classics or collector models may be considered low mileage for their age even when the odometer exceeds 100,000 miles. However, because our evaluation is based solely on the vehicle's current condition and not its market value, mileage is treated consistently across all vehicles.

Our assessment reflects the principle that the more a vehicle has been driven, the more wear it has likely experienced. That said, vehicles that have been driven very little or left unused for long periods may also show signs of deterioration. Our inspectors take this into account by documenting any visible issues related to lack of use during the inspection.

An inspection is not a warranty or insurance policy. If you purchase a vehicle inspected by BetterWheels, you are responsible for all the repairs and maintenance costs, regardless of other warranties or insurance. The decision to buy remains entirely your responsibility, as does ensuring the vehicle is properly insured and under warranty.