Define the inspection conditions
Tell the inspector whether the candidate is original CS55 or PLUS and which features are mandatory for the order. Request confirmation of the facilities and test conditions available: a rested start where practical, underbody access, diagnostics and a lawful road assessment. If an item is unavailable, record it before you interpret the report as complete.
Ask for dated evidence tied to the VIN and a written summary separating observations, diagnosis and recommended follow-up. For several cars, require individual records. A batch overview can help organise the work, but it should not imply that a sample inspection proves the condition of every visually similar candidate.
Establish identity and visible repair history
Match the VIN, labels and paperwork to the vehicle presented. Review body alignment, visible structural areas, paint findings, corrosion and accessible signs of previous repair. Ask the inspector to distinguish cosmetic work from concerns affecting the structure or operation. A broad description such as minor damage should identify the actual area and supporting evidence.
Do not infer an accident-free history from polished paint or a short exterior video. If a relevant area cannot be accessed, preserve that limitation. A suspected problem may require a more specialised assessment before you can estimate its importance. The history guide explains how records complement the physical examination without replacing it.
Assess the engine under known conditions
Record whether the engine was already warm and observe the start, instrument warnings, visible leaks and abnormal sounds within the agreed scope. Request available maintenance records and evidence for major repairs. A clean engine bay is not a service history, and an odometer photograph is not independent proof of usage.
Where a symptom appears, ask the inspector to describe the conditions and recommended diagnosis. Avoid guessing a repair cost from a brief clip. Cooling, intake, electrical and other systems can affect the observed behaviour. Keep a concerning candidate pending when the missing assessment is material to the purchase rather than converting uncertainty into an arbitrary discount.
Check gearbox, chassis and road behaviour
Use an inspection appropriate to the installed transmission, not a universal routine inferred from the model name. Include engagement and low-speed operation, then broader driving conditions where practical. The 6AT and DCT guide covers the identity and support questions that should accompany those observations.
Have braking, steering, suspension and tyres assessed as part of the same vehicle review. A noise or vibration may involve several possible causes. Record diagnostic findings before clearing and connect them to the physical report. If the inspector cannot reproduce a previously reported symptom, retain both records and the limits of the follow-up.
Test the family-use features
Check supplied keys, locks, windows, seat functions, lights, wipers, ventilation and cooling. Demonstrate parking equipment and the display functions required by your buyers. Inspect luggage-area condition and any roof equipment, and note dampness or unusual odours for appropriate investigation. A button or sensor visible on the car is not proof of the complete function.
Use the daily-use guide to distinguish a practical customer requirement from a cosmetic preference. Missing keys, damaged trim or non-working cabin features should enter the preparation scope individually. This prevents small but commercially relevant items from disappearing behind a general statement that the car drives well.
Give the report a decision summary
Request a short opening summary stating the vehicle identity, inspection limitations and findings that affect acceptance. The detailed photographs remain important, but a purchasing manager should not have to infer the release decision from dozens of disconnected images. Link each unresolved issue to the relevant evidence and proposed next action. Once further work is completed, record which finding has been closed and which still remains pending. This keeps the report useful throughout preparation rather than only on the inspection date.
Approve a defined outcome
Classify findings as acceptable, repair required, further evidence required or outside the brief. For accepted repair work, state parts, labour, timing and the evidence needed after completion. A reinspection should address the original concern rather than merely confirm that a new invoice exists.
Close the file with current identity, condition photographs, odometer, keys and accessories before handover. Request clarification for changes since the accepted inspection. Send your required scope through the dealer enquiry form so suitable candidates can be screened early. An approval should name the vehicle, evidence and outstanding conditions clearly enough for your receiving team to check them later.
