Pre-purchase used car inspectionsrecommendations
 

Seller prefers mobile mechanic.
Recommendations?

What model vehicle?

For a proper Inspection, you need to get off up on a lift.

I agree with above, you could try calling some of the local auto repair shops to see if and what they would charge for an inspection, you should only need to do this once so if the first buyer backs out you would have the report for the next one.
The other option is to have the buyer provide a party to do the inspection, at their cost. Finally use a 'NO Warranty' sales agreement.

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Thank you so very much. I have followed your comments for a few years and always appreciate your recommendations.

In this instance my post was a moot point as a dealer bought the car in question.

Any thoughts on resources for purchasing a used car. Our car is being shipped from Hawaii and will take 12-16 weeks to arrive.

Just FYI we have owned here for 10 years & always just rented vehicles for our 2 month stays.

Many thanks.

Buyer provided carfax and Walmart check up of tires, battery, fluids, ac. But I was too cautious for his time constraints.

I could be mistaken, but I thought the OP was the buyer, and she wanted to know how to get an inspection on a used car before buying. And the seller will only let her have it inspected at his place by a mobile mechanic.

This implies you have a place in Hawaii. I'm baffled. My experiences in TV are positive, but my cruise in Hawaii left me with response: Tropical Paradise. Why would you move to TV? TV is nice, but Hawaii seemed nicer.

Island Fever, not to mention the obvious HUGE cost of living difference.

I've had good experience with Carvanna.

CarMax might be another option, but no personal experience there.

OP, depending on your budget, many car dealers have "certified" used cars, and there are several on sale on this site.

I would walk away from any dealer unwilling to allow you to bring car to a mechanic of your choice.
Mobile mechanic are not capable of a complete inspection. Lifting vehicle and inspecting undercarriage and suspension, removing splash shield to look for leaks.
Certified cars unless backed by the manufacturer and just good advertising slogans. Good luck.
I have 35 years experience as a used car manager (retired)
You may find it difficult to find any dealer willing to allow you an off site inspection. But they are out there!

Just one more thing to be aware.

The small (2L) turbo engines on vehicles with 10,000 mi oil change recomendations are failing as early as the 80,000 - 100,000 mi range. Particularly Korean models.

CarMax was good for us in Chicago. Plaza Lincoln sold us a great VW convertible, fair price. Villages Subaru offered a 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty when we shopped there.