Heavy Equipment Pre-Purchase Inspection

A heavy equipment pre-purchase inspection checks the engine, hydraulics, undercarriage or tires, attachments and controls before you buy. We inspect excavators, skid steers, wheel loaders, backhoes and forklifts where they sit. It costs $499 flat with a free VIN or serial check.

What gets inspected

Engine & powertrain

  • Cold start, idle and smoke
  • Leaks, belts and hoses
  • Hour meter reading
  • Fault codes where accessible

Hydraulics

  • Every function run, if allowed
  • Cylinder drift and slow functions
  • Pump, hoses and fittings for leaks

Undercarriage or tires

  • Tracks, rollers, idlers and sprockets
  • Tire wear and damage
  • Final drives

Attachments & structure

  • Bucket, forks or attachment wear
  • Pins and bushings play
  • Boom, arm and frame cracks or welds

Cab & controls

  • Controls, gauges and lights
  • Safety features and seat belt
  • Glass and ROPS / FOPS

What's not included

  • No engine teardown or internal inspection
  • No oil or fluid lab analysis
  • No emissions or DOT certification
  • No title or ownership guarantee
  • No warranty on future repairs
  • No inspection of anything the seller won't allow access to

What you receive

  • Report with pass / attention / fail on every item
  • 50+ labeled photos
  • Mechanic's summary
  • Repair estimates
  • Free VIN report
See a sample report

Who inspects

Inspections are done by Sell My Rig inspectors. They don't work for the seller or any dealer.

Cost

$499 flat, free VIN report included.

How fast

Report the same business day after the appointment. The clock starts at the appointment, not the order. The appointment time depends on the seller's availability.

How ordering works

  1. 1Order and pay online.
  2. 2We contact the seller and set the time and place.
  3. 3The inspection happens on site.
  4. 4The report is emailed to you only.

If a major defect is found

It's marked Fail with photos and a repair estimate, and the inspector notes it in the summary. You decide whether to renegotiate, walk away, or buy. We never share the report with the seller unless you ask.

FAQ

Questions buyers ask

What heavy equipment do you inspect?

Excavators, skid steers, wheel loaders, backhoes, forklifts and most other construction and material-handling machines.

Do you check the hydraulics?

Yes. We run every function if the seller allows it and look for leaks, slow cylinders and worn hoses.

Do you check the undercarriage on tracked machines?

Yes. We look at tracks, rollers, idlers and sprockets and note wear.

Do you read machine hours and fault codes?

We record the hour meter and read codes where the machine has a diagnostic port we can access.

How much is a heavy equipment inspection?

$499 flat.