Pre-purchase inspections for car dealerships

Used car lots need a transmission expert to inspect their inventory BEFORE they put it on the market — and BEFORE a customer drives off and brings it back angry.

Mike's the transmission expert in this region. Three tiers, predictable schedule, monthly invoice. Real recurring revenue from existing relationships.

🎯 Three inspection tiers

🥈 Silver — Quick Check

$95

30-minute visual + scan tool check. Used for lower-priced trades where dealer wants a fast "is it OK to retail?" verdict.

Visual under-car inspection (leaks, mounts, exhaust)
Full OBD-II scan + clear of pending codes
Fluid level + color check (engine, trans, brake, coolant)
Tire tread + DOT date
Brake pad measurement (visual)
One-page PDF report signed by Mike or Irwin

🥇 Gold — Full Inspection

$185

90-minute thorough check. Used for mid-priced inventory ($10-30k). Dealer can ADD this report as a selling feature ("Mike Cole inspected" badge).

Everything in Silver
Test drive (10 min) — shift quality, drivetrain, brakes, alignment
Transmission fluid sample + smell/magnet check
Differential noise check (rear / front / transfer)
Engine compression test (random cylinder + lowest)
Battery + alternator + starter test
3-page report with photos + recommendations
"Mike Cole Inspected" sticker for dealer's windshield

💎 Diamond — Transmission Deep-Dive

$295

For high-end inventory ($30k+) or specialty platforms (10R80, ZF 8HP, Aisin, Allison). The full transmission audit only Mike can do at this depth.

Everything in Gold
Scope trace on every shift
Hot fluid analysis (GTECH flusher sample, sub-micron filter)
Valve body actuation test via bidirectional scan tool
TCM adaptive learn history review
5-page detailed report
Mike personally signs (not delegated)
30-day "Mike Cole guarantees no surprise" warranty for the BUYER (limited)

📞 Target dealers in pipeline

🚗 Dalton dealer (Papa's existing contact)

Papa already built him a website · warm lead · 40-60 cars/mo on lot

~$5,500/mo

Pitch

🚗 Blue Ridge Auto Outlet

5 mi from shop · ~25 cars/mo · no current trans inspection partner

~$2,800/mo

Pitch

🚗 Ridge Country Motors (used lot)

Mineral Bluff · ~15 cars/mo · they call Mike already on warranty work

~$1,800/mo

Pitch

🚗 4 other dealers within 30 mi

Cold outreach needed · letter campaign

~$8,000/mo potential

Outreach

💵 The annualized math

Scenario	Monthly	Annual
Just Dalton dealer signs	$5,500	$66,000
Dalton + Blue Ridge Outlet	$8,300	$99,600
Top 3 local dealers	$10,100	$121,200
Full pipeline (7 dealers)	$18,100	$217,200

One quality dealer relationship pays for half a tech's salary. Mike does ~3 inspections per day at full capacity — 60-90 min each, predictable pace, no surprise scope creep.

📋 Pitch script to dealer (Mike to read)

"Hey [Dealer name], Mike Cole at MDC in Mineral Bluff. I run the transmission shop in Fannin County. I'm hearing from buyers around here — and from some of MY customers — that used cars off your lot have had transmission issues that nobody caught at intake.

I'd like to be your pre-sale inspector. Three tiers: $95 for a quick check, $185 for a full inspection, $295 for a deep transmission audit on your high-end inventory. Same-day turnaround if you can drop the car off by 9 AM. Signed PDF report you can show buyers — turns into a selling tool, not just a check.

I'm asking for a 30-day pilot — 10 cars at Silver tier, $950 total. See if it cuts your warranty comebacks. If it does, we set up a monthly. If not, we shake hands and you're out $950. Sound fair?"

📌 Papa & Deb: Mike's already getting calls from dealers when one of their cars comes back with a trans issue. Right now those are reactive calls. Pre-purchase inspection makes him proactive — and predictable monthly revenue. Plus: every dealer relationship is a referral pipeline to retail customers. Net positive on every dimension.