Confidence before you buy
Every car has a story. Here is ours.
It all started with a little Hot Wheels car...this one...still have it but it's a little rough around the edges now.
My story
I've been a car guy for as long as I can remember. It started with a handful of Hot Wheels cars spread across the living room floor. Truth be told, I still can't walk past the Hot Wheels aisle without slowing down.
Some things never change.
Cars have been part of nearly every chapter of my life. I worked in a body shop during college, detailed cars, sold them on the showroom floor, moved into finance, and eventually spent the last 30+ years helping dealerships and customers through the automotive lending world.
Along the way, I've bought and sold somewhere around 100 vehicles—everything from everyday commuters to collector cars. Every one of them taught me something.
How CAI came to be
In 2015, I founded Certified Auto Inspections after driving across the state to look at what was supposed to be a great car...only to discover it was a complete turd.
That wasted day taught me something.
The biggest risk isn't always what's wrong with the car.
It's what you don't know before you leave the driveway.
CAI originally focused on inspections for classic and collector vehicles, and I still love that side of the hobby. But over the years, something became impossible to ignore.
In my day job, I've watched thousands of people buy vehicles.
Some made great decisions.
Others made expensive ones that could have been avoided with a little more information and an honest second opinion.
That's when the mission changed.
How we can help you today
Today, CAI exists to help everyday buyers slow down, ask better questions, uncover hidden risks, and make confident decisions before spending their hard-earned money.
We don't sell cars.
We don't pressure people into buying them.
In fact, sometimes the best advice I can give is...
"Keep shopping."
Because if spending a few minutes with us saves you a six-hour drive, a bad loan, or a $5,000 surprise after you get the car home...
I'd call that a pretty good day's work.
Confidence Before You Buy.
We start where most buyers stop.
David Bell
Founder, Chief Reality Advisor
FAQ's
Do I need to provide a vehicle history report?
No, history reports like CARFAX and AutoCheck by Experian are essential to our research process. We will provide the report along with a complete interpretation and analysis of the information in the report. You'll get a report, AND a breakdown of the info it provides.
How much does a Reality Check™ cost? How long does it take to get my report?
Reports $64.95 each (free history report included) or 3 for $174.95. Reports are usually delivered within 24 hours. Buying a car can be a "right now" business, we get that.
Do you physically inspect cars?
Sometimes- our service is designed to help determine if the car is worth pursuing before you spend time or money. We do partner with national inspection companies and can help you arrange a physical inspection by a qualified technician.
