A pre-purchase inspection, or PPI, is the check a buyer has done on a used Porsche before paying for it. On a car where one hidden engine problem can cost five figures, almost every serious buyer asks for one.
This guide covers what a PPI costs, what a good one looks at, and what to do when a buyer asks to inspect the Porsche you're selling.
Key numbers
- Typical cost
- $250 to $800 for most models and $800 to $1,500 for GT cars, going by prices two Porsche shops publish.
- Time
- Two to four hours at a specialist, according to Repasi Motorwerks.
- Who pays
- Normally the buyer, who also chooses the shop.
- Key checks
- Factory diagnostic scan, over-rev report, borescope, paint depth, underbody and a road test.
What is a Porsche PPI?
A PPI is an independent inspection of a car before the sale is final. A shop that knows the model puts the car on a lift, scans its computers, checks the engine and body, drives it, and writes up what it finds.
The custom is that the buyer chooses the shop and pays for it. A Porsche Club of America tech answer explains why: if the seller arranges the inspection, some buyers won't trust the result.
A PPI is an inspection, not a teardown. It finds the problems that can be seen, measured or read from the car's computers. It can't promise that nothing will ever go wrong.
What a Porsche PPI costs
| Who | Price | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Lemon Squad | $285.99 | A mobile inspector's exotic-car inspection, done wherever the car is |
| Gulf Euro Clinic, Florida | $250 to $500 | Its figure for most Porsche-specific PPIs |
| Repasi Motorwerks, Connecticut | From about $500 to $800 | Standard models: 911, Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne, Macan |
| Repasi Motorwerks, Connecticut | Typically $800 to $1,500 | GT cars: GT3, GT4, GT2, Carrera GT, 918 |
Each price is from that company's own website, checked October 2026. Prices vary by region, shop and how deep the inspection goes.
The price follows the depth. Repasi says a PPI takes two to four hours and quotes compression and leak-down testing separately. Gulf Euro Clinic says the cost depends on how much testing is done and whether fluid samples go to an outside lab.
So ask what's included before you compare quotes. A $300 inspection with no lift and no borescope and a $900 one with both are not the same product.
What a good Porsche PPI checks
These are the items the two specialists above list for their own inspections:
- A factory-level diagnostic scan of every control module, including stored and past fault codes
- A borescope look inside the cylinders, on the engines where it applies
- Compression and leak-down testing
- Paint depth on every panel, to find repaints and repairs
- The underbody on a lift: mounts, suspension, floor and exhaust
- Fluid condition and leaks
- Brake rotors, pads and calipers, including ceramic rotors
- An extended road test, up to full temperature and highway speed
- A written report with photos
On a manual or GT car, buyers also want the DME over-rev report, which shows whether the engine has been revved past its limit and when.
Checks that depend on the model
| Car | What the inspection focuses on |
|---|---|
| 996, and Boxster and Cayman with M96 or M97 engines | The IMS bearing, the rear main seal and coolant pipes |
| 997 | The rear main seal and coolant leaks at the heat exchanger |
| 991.1 | Repasi flags bore scoring on higher-mileage cars and calls a borescope essential |
| GT3 and GT3 RS | Signs of track use: overheated brakes, wheel bearing wear and transmission damage |
| Carrera GT | Oil consumption, the ceramic clutch, suspension wear and damage to the carbon tub |
As described by Repasi Motorwerks in February 2026, checked October 2026.
Our explainers go deeper on the two best-known engine issues: the IMS bearing and bore scoring.
Dealer, independent specialist or mobile inspector?
- Independent Porsche specialist. Usually the deepest inspection, with a lift, the factory diagnostic tool and a borescope. Repasi, itself an independent, argues that a dealer inspection is often a short check of fluids and fault codes.
- Porsche dealer. Convenient, and well equipped for late-model cars. The PCA tech answer notes that some dealers decline to do PPIs at all.
- Mobile inspector. The practical choice when the car is in another state. There's no lift, so it's a lighter inspection.
To find a shop, the PCA tech answer suggests asking club members in your region. Our list of independent repair shops by state shows which ones work on Porsche.
If you're the seller
A buyer asking for a PPI is a good sign. It means they're serious. Saying no usually ends the sale, so say yes and set sensible terms.
- Agree the shop. The buyer chooses it. You can ask that it be a known Porsche shop within a reasonable distance.
- Agree who pays and who delivers the car. The buyer pays. Take the car there yourself, or stay with it, and don't hand over the title.
- Agree the scope. A borescope or a compression test means removing spark plugs. That's normal, but both sides should approve it first.
- Ask for a copy of the report. If the sale falls through, you'll want to know what was found.
Better still, don't be surprised by it. Have your own pre-sale inspection done first, and have the paperwork ready: service records, the over-rev report, any borescope results, and the car's Porsche Production Specification.
If the PPI finds a problem, ask for the shop's written estimate and negotiate on that number. A named repair with a price is something you can deal with. A vague worry is not.
Ready to sell? Our Porsche seller's guide compares the ways to do it.
Common questions
How much does a Porsche PPI cost?
Going by published prices, $250 to $800 for most models and $800 to $1,500 for GT cars. Gulf Euro Clinic puts most Porsche PPIs at $250 to $500, and Repasi Motorwerks quotes from about $500 to $800 for standard models.
How long does a Porsche pre-purchase inspection take?
Two to four hours at a specialist, according to Repasi Motorwerks. GT cars can take longer.
Who pays for a pre-purchase inspection?
Normally the buyer, who also chooses the shop. A Porsche Club of America tech answer notes that if the seller arranges it, some buyers won't trust the result.
What does a Porsche 911 PPI include?
A factory-level diagnostic scan, a check of the engine and underbody on a lift, paint depth readings, brakes and fluids, a road test and a written report. Depending on the generation, it should also cover the IMS bearing, bore scoring and the over-rev report.
Should a dealer or an independent shop do the PPI?
Either can. An independent Porsche specialist usually goes deeper, and a dealer is well equipped for late-model cars. Ask exactly what the inspection includes before you book.
Can a seller refuse a PPI?
Yes, but most serious buyers will walk away. It's better to agree, with sensible terms about which shop is used and who handles the car.
Sources
- Repasi Motorwerks: Porsche PPI
- Repasi Motorwerks: What to expect from a Porsche pre-purchase inspection (February 27, 2026)
- Gulf Euro Clinic: What a Porsche pre-purchase inspection covers (October 5, 2026)
- Lemon Squad: Exotic car inspection
- Porsche Club of America: Tech Q&A, what is a PPI (December 6, 2011)
Figures were checked against these sources in October 2026. Prices change, so confirm before relying on them.