GTA: Has anyone this car inspection service called lemonproof?

[Ray]

I was wondering if anyone in the GTA has used this used car inspection service called lemonproof?

http://lemonproof.homestead.com/

Were they honest and competent?

[Fox2k]

Well, at first glance, they can't afford a domain and they are using sympatico for their email. I would probably steer clear. That's just me, though.

[Pete_Coach]

Well, at first glance, they can't afford a domain and they are using sympatico for their email. I would probably steer clear. That's just me, though.

That is plain dumb. Just because you can't email @lemonproof.com makes them shady?
A new company perhaps. Ask what his credentials are. If he is or was in the automotive industry he should have some credibility (not that all techs are credible but it is one item to be checked)..

[danns]

ya I kinda agree. Before when I look at the yellowpages to find a business I would think that the ones with better looking ads are better, and the simpler ads were shady. Boy was I wrong.

[enforcerviper]

More info here. The video is kinda lame when he finds the lemon in the engine.

http://lemonproof.blogspot.com/

[hightech]

the CAA also has a similar service.

http://www.caasco.com/automotive/vehicleinspections/vis.jsp

When my Buick was coming to the end of the factory warranty, I took the car to one of the CAA authorized centres (Master Mechanic in Markham) and they check the car, ran a scan on the entire system (spent 2 hours total) and gave me a 20 page list of every part on the car and if it is good or bad. The inspection was $150, but they can also help you get the car fixed at the dealer if needed too.

I found out about this service years ago when one of my relatives used this service on their car and the report turned up about $1400 of repairs that was needed. He took this info to the dealership and told them to fix this as well as get the brakes fixed. The $150 saved him $1400 of unexpected costs and the car had trouble free driving for several years afterwards.

I encourage anyone who has a warranty that is ending, to go and use this service. I would also prefer using a CAA based service over a new startup as well.

[Fox2k]

yeah I'm definitely not saying that you should look up the nicest ads and call those places, however I do think that a certain level of professionalism is required if you want to be taken seriously. I think it's great that he is trying to make an online presence, but I maintain that if someone is trying to run their business' website off of a free shared hosting server and uses a free email service, they aren't exactly conveying a good message. Again, that's just me though and I would look for references before pursuing business with them.

[ShadowVlican]

the CAA also has a similar service.

http://www.caasco.com/automotive/vehicleinspections/vis.jsp

When my Buick was coming to the end of the factory warranty, I took the car to one of the CAA authorized centres (Master Mechanic in Markham) and they check the car, ran a scan on the entire system (spent 2 hours total) and gave me a 20 page list of every part on the car and if it is good or bad. The inspection was $150, but they can also help you get the car fixed at the dealer if needed too.

I found out about this service years ago when one of my relatives used this service on their car and the report turned up about $1400 of repairs that was needed. He took this info to the dealership and told them to fix this as well as get the brakes fixed. The $150 saved him $1400 of unexpected costs and the car had trouble free driving for several years afterwards.

I encourage anyone who has a warranty that is ending, to go and use this service. I would also prefer using a CAA based service over a new startup as well.
wow great information!

[jetway1212]

the CAA also has a similar service.

http://www.caasco.com/automotive/vehicleinspections/vis.jsp

When my Buick was coming to the end of the factory warranty, I took the car to one of the CAA authorized centres (Master Mechanic in Markham) and they check the car, ran a scan on the entire system (spent 2 hours total) and gave me a 20 page list of every part on the car and if it is good or bad. The inspection was $150, but they can also help you get the car fixed at the dealer if needed too.

I found out about this service years ago when one of my relatives used this service on their car and the report turned up about $1400 of repairs that was needed. He took this info to the dealership and told them to fix this as well as get the brakes fixed. The $150 saved him $1400 of unexpected costs and the car had trouble free driving for several years afterwards.

I encourage anyone who has a warranty that is ending, to go and use this service. I would also prefer using a CAA based service over a new startup as well.


Thanks for sharing. I've been a CAA member for a while but never used these services ( i thought its just like a dealer inspection)

would the dealer refuse the written report from CAA? if they want to be dick, i guess the only option is to use small claim court. right?

[ES_Revenge]

I think the main theme or idea here is that you're getting a prospective used car inspected independently, which is a MUST, IMO.

Whether it's by this "Lemonproof" service or otherwise, get the car inspected by a qualified mechanic before purchase. Unless the car you're buying is less than a few thousand or otherwise "cheap" to you, inspection is really a good idea.

It may cost you $100 or so to get the inspection done but given you might be purchasing a used car for $25k or more, $100 is nothing. Get the car inspected by a competent mechanic before buying, period.

If you don't, you may end up with thousands in required repairs that you didn't plan on.

If the seller refuses an independent 3rd party inspection? Walk away, simple as that.

[Pete_Coach]

CAA does have this service but it is good but make sure that whomever they send you to has access to the vehicle manufacturers database or at a minimum, to AllData. That way they can check any recalls and service bulletins relating to your specific car. CAA has many repair facilities on their list but, not all are as modern or have access to the historical or latest info.
I have been a member for 30+ years and have a lot of respect and use for CAA so this is not a criticism of the CAA.

[hightech]

Thanks for sharing. I've been a CAA member for a while but never used these services ( i thought its just like a dealer inspection)

would the dealer refuse the written report from CAA? if they want to be dick, i guess the only option is to use small claim court. right?

That is where the CAA advocacy services kick in. The dealer can deny the work, but with factory warranty, you can go to ANY dealer. Most likely they won't deny the work because they can still claim the costs from the manufacture as a warranty claim. They will keep the old parts and send it to the manufacture along with the invoice of work performed.

[hightech]

CAA does have this service but it is good but make sure that whomever they send you to has access to the vehicle manufacturers database or at a minimum, to AllData. That way they can check any recalls and service bulletins relating to your specific car. CAA has many repair facilities on their list but, not all are as modern or have access to the historical or latest info.
I have been a member for 30+ years and have a lot of respect and use for CAA so this is not a criticism of the CAA.

Good point. I forgot to mention that the Master Mechanic in Markham also checked for TSB's and recalls as well and was very thorough.

[jetway1212]

That is where the CAA advocacy services kick in. The dealer can deny the work, but with factory warranty, you can go to ANY dealer. Most likely they won't deny the work because they can still claim the costs from the manufacture as a warranty claim. They will keep the old parts and send it to the manufacture along with the invoice of work performed.

However, the dealership wont get labour covered by the manufacture or atleast full labour fee. I know for sure that dealership dont have full reimbursement from the manufacture (got a friend works as service manager at Erin Mills Acura)

[ES_Revenge]

However, the dealership wont get labour covered by the manufacture or atleast full labour fee. I know for sure that dealership dont have full reimbursement from the manufacture (got a friend works as service manager at Erin Mills Acura)

That's because the dealer rate for labour is often a rip-off. The manufacturer knows this but has no qualms with individual dealers charging customers whatever they want, but when it comes time for them to pay, there's no way in heck they are going to let the dealer rip them off. It's a bit stupid that the manufacturer couldn't care less what happens to you and I, but when it comes to them shelling out $$$ they are definitely not fine with paying overpriced labour :rolleyes:

[CanadianMoFo]

However, the dealership wont get labour covered by the manufacture or atleast full labour fee. I know for sure that dealership dont have full reimbursement from the manufacture (got a friend works as service manager at Erin Mills Acura)

Ford dealerships get paid a couple dollars more per hour for warranty work than they do for retail rates. It's the markup on parts where they lose out compared to retail. So for a repair that needs a low cost part and uses a truckload of labour to install it they make out pretty well on warranty repairs.

CM

[ROLLAMOLLA]

If you still have questions about the service call the A.P.A.. 416 204-1444


They must be credible since they are listed on their site as a recommemded mobile inspection service. They'll probably have more information on cridentials too.

Haven't heard of it before but I think it is a great idea!

Ric

[enginear]

I've actually used this company when I was searching for my first car. They were very professional and went through the entire car top to bottom indicating everywhere they saw any evidence of something being off.

In my opinion, they were really good.