What to check before you buy any used car.
A mechanic-style report on the specific used car you're considering.
Buy vs Avoid reliability analysis
Customized test drive checklist
Pre-purchase inspection guide
Review the details — edit anything that's off
See what you'll get
Three real cars, three different verdicts.
Click any card below to see the full report — exactly what you'll get when you check your own car.
2010 Lexus IS 250
Base · AWD
118,000 mi · $9,800
I'd avoid this one. The 2.5L V6 in the IS 250 is known for intake carbon buildup, and at 118k miles you're right in the range where it can start running rough and need a $400–$1,800 cleanup. On top of that, these cars can nickel-and-dime you with water pump leaks, oil seepage, and door lock or window motor issues as they age. At $9,800, this is too much money for a 2010 IS 250 when the better answer is a Lexus IS350 from the same era.
Known issues
- Direct-injection carbon buildup on the 2.5L V6
- Water pump coolant leak/failure
- Timing cover and front-engine oil seepage
2018 Ford F-150
XLT · 3.5L EcoBoost · SuperCrew 4x4
89,000 mi · $26,500
I’d be careful with this one. The 3.5L EcoBoost timing chain is the big thing here — at 89k you’re right in the window where a cold-start rattle starts showing up, and that’s a $2,000–$4,000 repair the test drive can miss if the truck is already warm. The 10-speed’s shift quality is also something I’d want proof on, because a clunky or hunting 10R80 can turn into a headache fast. If the cold start is clean, the trans behaves, and the records are solid, this is worth considering; if not, I’d be looking at a 2018+ F-150 5.0L V8 instead.
Known issues
- Timing chain wear — 3.5L EcoBoost
- 10-speed automatic transmission harsh/erratic shifting and gear-hunting
- 3.5L EcoBoost water pump failure with potential internal coolant loss
2019 Toyota RAV4
XLE · AWD
54,000 mi · $24,500
I'd buy this one if the records are clean. The 2019 RAV4 XLE AWD with the 2.5L and 8-speed automatic is a strong combo at 54,000 miles, and this one isn't carrying any big engine or transmission failure pattern that scares me off. The main thing to verify is regular oil changes, the first-owner maintenance trail, and that Toyota addressed the early calibration and fuel-gauge complaints on this exact car. If it passes a good inspection, this is the kind of used SUV I'd feel good sending a friend home in.
Known issues
- Transmission hunting / harsh or delayed shifting calibration
- Fuel tank level inaccuracy / premature low-fuel warning
- Water intrusion / hatch or body seal leaks
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Frequently asked
What people want to know before checking their first car.
What does CarVetter check on a used car?
For the specific year, make, and model you're considering, CarVetter generates a reliability analysis (known issues with cost-to-fix estimates), a customized test drive checklist (specific things to listen and feel for), and a pre-purchase inspection guide (what to ask a mechanic to check, plus what you can inspect yourself first). It's everything a trusted mechanic would tell you before you buy — for any used car.
How is this different from a Carfax report?
Carfax tells you the history of one specific vehicle — accidents, title issues, service records on file. CarVetter tells you what to expect from this make and model in general — known engine problems, transmission issues, what fails at this mileage, and what those repairs cost. They cover different questions, and a complete used car research process uses both.
Is this the same as a pre-purchase inspection?
No. A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is when an independent mechanic physically inspects the car on a lift before you buy. CarVetter is a guide to help you decide whether the car is worth a PPI in the first place, what to ask the mechanic to focus on during the inspection, and what you can check yourself before spending the $100–$150. Always get a real PPI on any used car you're seriously considering.
What if the seller won't let me get a pre-purchase inspection?
Walk away. Any legitimate seller — private party or dealer — will allow an independent inspection. Refusing is a red flag every time. CarVetter's report includes language you can use to make the inspection request, and it gives you the DIY checks you can run yourself before even getting to that point.
How long does the report take?
About 30 seconds. You enter the year, make, model, mileage, and asking price, and we generate the report immediately. You'll create a free account to view the full report — your trial covers your first 5 cars, no credit card needed.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. No credit card, no recurring charges. Your trial covers a full report on each of your first 5 cars — exactly what paying customers get — so you can see what CarVetter delivers before deciding whether to buy a pack. If you want more, access packs start at $15 for 50 cars and never expire.
Why CarVetter exists
Between my family and me, we've made many used car buying decisions over the years. We thought we knew what we were doing.
Then my son found a 2013 Lexus IS250.
It was beautiful — exactly what he wanted. We did the test drive. He was ready to buy on the spot. But I always insist on a pre-purchase inspection before any used car purchase, so we took it to the Toyota dealer. Cost us $150. Worth every penny — they found a leak that would cost $3,000 to fix.
So we got a second opinion from a mechanic I'd trusted for years. I described the leak. His first response:
“Well, I don't know why anybody would want to buy a Lexus IS250.”
Then he explained something I hadn't heard before. The IS250's engine uses direct fuel injection only — no port injection. Over time, carbon builds up on the intake valves. The engine starts running poorly. The fix is a walnut blast cleaning that costs $500 to $1000. And it's not a matter of if — it's when.
His advice: skip the IS250. Find an IS350 instead. Same platform, but with both direct and port injection — no carbon problem, more power.
We passed on the IS250. My son eventually found a better car.
But that conversation stuck with me. My mechanic knew things that no test drive would reveal, no listing would mention, and no dealer would volunteer. He knew the specific failure patterns of specific engines. He knew what questions to ask and what to listen for.
Most people don't have a trusted mechanic they can call before buying a used car.
That's what CarVetter is.
Tell us what car you're considering. We'll give you a mechanic-style analysis — the known issues for that specific year, make, and model, what they cost to fix, and how likely they are to affect the car at its current mileage. We'll also give you a customized test drive checklist so you know exactly what to listen for behind the wheel. And we'll give you a pre-purchase inspection guide — specific things to ask a mechanic to check, plus what you can inspect yourself before spending money on a PPI.
It's the advice a trusted mechanic would give you. Before you need it.
— Brian, Founder of CarVetter