How We Buy Any Car’s Inspection Works
When you get an online valuation from We Buy Any Car, that figure is based on the information you provide about your vehicle. Your final offer is determined after a free, in-person inspection — and the two numbers are sometimes different. This page explains exactly what we check at that inspection, why we check it, and what it means for your offer.
The Short Answer
Every vehicle We Buy Any Car purchases goes through a standardized Three Circle Inspection — a systematic walk-around that evaluates exterior condition, engine and frame integrity, and interior and vehicle history. The inspection verifies that your vehicle matches what you described when you got your online valuation. Appointments take place at any of our U.S. locations, or our mobile buyer can come directly to your home. Every seller who accepts their offer is paid the same day, with an average appointment-to-payment time of approximately one hour.
Your Online Valuation vs. Your Final Offer
Your online valuation is an estimate based on the information you provide. Your final offer is determined after the Three Circle Inspection at your appointment. If what our inspector finds matches what you reported, the numbers are typically close. For a full explanation of how the two figures relate — including how the 7-Day Offer works — see How We Buy Any Car Calculates Your Offer.
The Three Circle Inspection
Every vehicle We Buy Any Car purchases goes through a standardized assessment called the Three Circle Inspection. This is a systematic, walk-around evaluation that ensures every car is assessed using the same criteria — regardless of which of our U.S. locations you visit, or if we come directly to you with one of our mobile buying units.
| Circle | What We Check | Why It Affects Your Offer |
|---|---|---|
| Circle 1 Exterior |
Body panels: dents, scratches, rust. Tires: tread depth & pressure. Lights & signals. Paint depth meter reading (all panels). | Physical condition directly affects resale value. Repainted panels may indicate prior accident history, which affects buyer demand. See paint depth callout below. |
| Circle 2 Engine & Frame |
Engine bay: fluid leaks, unusual noise. Frame: rust, jack damage, accident indicators. OBD-II diagnostic scan for active codes. | Mechanical issues and frame damage are among the highest-impact factors on offer value. OBD codes and frame irregularities signal reconditioning costs that affect what we can offer. |
| Circle 3 Interior & History |
Seatbelts, brakes, horn, steering. Dashboard warning lights & gauges. Infotainment & controls. CARFAX / Experian AutoCheck report. | Interior condition and vehicle history (accidents, owners, title issues) affect resale value and buyer confidence. A clean history report typically supports a stronger offer. |
What is a paint depth meter — and why does it matter?
Our inspectors use a paint depth reader to measure the thickness of paint on each panel of your vehicle. Factory paint is applied at a consistent depth across all panels. A significantly different reading on one panel is a strong indicator that the panel was repainted — which often happens after a collision, even if it doesn’t appear in the accident history report. This isn’t a penalty — it’s transparency. A repainted panel affects buyer confidence and resale value, which in turn affects what we can offer.
Why Your Final Offer Might Differ From Your Online Valuation
Your online valuation is based on the condition you described. The inspection can uncover things that weren’t visible or simply weren’t known — rust on the undercarriage, paint depth readings that indicate a prior repair, stored diagnostic codes with no warning light on the dashboard. These aren’t findings that reflect on the seller; they’re the kind of detail that only a physical inspection reveals. Where they affect the vehicle’s value, your final offer will reflect that.
The adjustment reflects the real cost to recondition the vehicle, not a negotiating tactic. The most frequent reasons for a difference:
| Reason for Difference | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Exterior damage not captured in self-assessment | Hidden rust, hail damage, large dents, or misaligned panels and bumpers not captured in the original self-assessment. |
| Tire condition below threshold | Tread depth, sidewall condition, or overall tire condition below minimal standards for safe operation. |
| Paint depth reading indicating prior repair | Panel repaint detected that wasn’t visible or wasn’t disclosed — affects buyer confidence and resale value. |
| Active OBD codes or warning lights | Dashboard warning lights and fault codes stored in the vehicle’s on-board diagnostic computer — even without visible symptoms. |
| Accident history and title issues | A CARFAX or Experian AutoCheck report that returns information regarding accident history or other vehicle history concerns. |
| Market movement | Market conditions may have shifted between your valuation date and your appointment. |
We always invite you to join us during the inspection so you can see exactly what we see. Our representative will walk you through every finding and explain why it affects the offer. After the inspection, and verifying that you meet the necessary requirements to sell, We Buy Any Car will extend a no-obligation offer. You can decline at any point at no cost to you.
How to Get the Most Accurate Offer Before Your Appointment
The single most effective thing you can do is be accurate in your self-assessment. Sellers who honestly evaluate their vehicle’s condition — and disclose known issues upfront — are least likely to see a difference between their online valuation and final offer.
Before your appointment:
- Review your car’s exterior in good light and note any damage to include in your online valuation.
- Check your dashboard for active warning lights and note what they indicate.
- Check tire tread depth — a coin test takes under a minute.
- Note any interior wear, staining, or odor issues.
- Check under the vehicle for signs of rust — frame and undercarriage rust can affect your offer.
You can update your valuation online before your appointment if you realize the condition selected doesn’t accurately reflect your vehicle.
How Our Inspection Compares to Other Car Buying Services
| We Buy Any Car | Carvana | CarMax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection location | At your appointment (U.S. locations nationwide or mobile unit) | At your home (pickup) or nearest Carvana drop-off location1 | At any CarMax location or at-home pickup (available nationwide)2 |
| Inspection framework | Three Circle Inspection — standardized across all locations | Internal process — criteria not published | Internal process — criteria not published |
| Typical appointment-to-payment time | ~1 hour (same day, on site) | Check or direct deposit issued after vehicle pickup — timing varies3 | Same day, on site (in-store under 30 min with express drop-off)4 |
| Payment methods | Check, Zelle, ACH, wire transfer, direct deposit | Check or direct deposit5 | Check (payment in hand at time of sale)6 |
| Buys cars with mechanical issues? | Yes — including damaged, high-mileage, and complex title situations | Selective — vehicles must meet eligibility requirements7 | Yes — offer adjusted based on in-store verification findings8 |
Sources
- Carvana — Trading In & Selling Help: carvana.com/help/sell-or-trade
- CarMax — At-Home Pickup Launch (Nov 2025): media.carmax.com
- Carvana — How and When Will I Be Paid: carvana.com/help/sell-or-trade
- CarMax — Sell My Car: carmax.com/sell-my-car
- Carvana — Trading In & Selling Help: carvana.com/help/sell-or-trade
- CarMax — How to Sell Your Car to CarMax: carmax.com/articles/how-to-sell-your-car-to-carmax
- Carvana — Trading In & Selling Help: carvana.com/help/sell-or-trade
- CarMax — Sell My Car: carmax.com/sell-my-car
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the We Buy Any Car inspection check?
The inspection covers three areas using our Three Circle framework: exterior condition (body panels, tires, lights, paint depth meter reading), engine and frame (fluid leaks, frame integrity, OBD-II diagnostic scan), and interior and history (seatbelts, brakes, infotainment, dashboard warnings, CARFAX / Experian AutoCheck report). It’s a standardized process designed to verify that the vehicle matches what was described in your online valuation.
Why did my We Buy Any Car offer go down after inspection?
The most common reason is a difference between the vehicle’s condition as described in the online valuation and its actual condition at inspection. Exterior damage, tire wear, active OBD codes, or paint depth readings indicating prior repair that weren’t included in the self-assessment are the most frequent factors. The adjustment reflects the real cost to recondition the vehicle — not a negotiating tactic. Our representative will walk you through exactly what was found.
Is the We Buy Any Car online valuation guaranteed?
In select cases, yes — if your vehicle qualifies for a 7-Day Offer. For full details on how that works and what’s required, see How We Buy Any Car Calculates Your Offer.
Do I have to accept the offer after the inspection?
No. There’s no obligation to accept the offer at any point. If you decide not to proceed after the inspection, you can walk away at no cost.
How long does the inspection and appointment take?
Most inspections take 15 to 30 minutes. The full appointment — including paperwork and payment if you accept — averages approximately one hour. Appointments tend to run shorter when the title owner is present with all documentation and the vehicle is owned outright. They can run longer when financing payoff coordination or power of attorney is involved. Either way, payment is made before you leave.
How am I paid?
We Buy Any Car pays via check, ACH, wire transfer, or direct deposit via Zelle. Every seller who accepts their offer is paid the same day — before they leave the appointment.
Can I sell a car with mechanical problems to We Buy Any Car?
Yes. We buy cars with mechanical issues, active warning lights, and high mileage. The condition of the vehicle is factored into the offer — it won’t disqualify a sale.
Get Your Free Online Valuation
See what your car is worth in about 60 seconds. No obligation. If you like the valuation, book a same-day appointment at one of our U.S. locations or schedule a home visit and we’ll come to you. Every seller who accepts their offer is paid before they leave — check, ACH, wire transfer, or direct deposit via Zelle.