“Extensive inspection” in marketing, tick-box report in reality
“Extensive inspection” in marketing, tick-box report in reality
I booked Autocoach specifically for what they advertise as an extensive, evidence-based pre-purchase inspection. What I received was a tick-box report with missing proof for critical checks.
Key issues:
• ECU/OBD diagnostics: Advertised as a laptop-based fault-code readout. In my report, there is no diagnostic output, no screenshot, no confirmation of fault-code status — only a tick mark. Their own sample reports show screenshots; mine does not.
• Paint thickness measurement: Explicitly included in the service. No measurements, no values, no conclusions are provided. A tick mark does not indicate whether deviations were found or even measured.
• Maintenance history / service booklet: This check requires photographic proof in their sample reports. No photos, no documentation, no evidence were provided.
• Even basic under-the-hood checks (brake fluid, starter battery) were missing photos, despite being shown as standard in their examples.
When challenged, Autocoach claimed the checks were done but not documented and later offered to perform them again after vehicle delivery. That response is unacceptable. A pre-purchase inspection is about documented evidence at the time of inspection, not retroactive reassurance. From a customer perspective, what is not documented is not done.
Despite acknowledging missing evidence, Autocoach refused a refund and hid behind terms & conditions and the fact that the car was purchased — completely ignoring that the service paid for was incomplete documentation, not just verbal confidence.
This experience seriously undermines trust in Autocoach’s inspection quality. If you expect a thorough, transparent, evidence-driven inspection, be prepared to audit their work yourself — or choose another provider.
I would strongly not recommend this service.