What you get
A written report with the faults, the measurements, and an estimate of what it would cost to put right — so you can walk away, or negotiate with a number in your hand.
What we look at
On a lift: structure, leaks, suspension, brakes, tires and exhaust. On the scan tool: stored and pending codes, readiness monitors, and whether anything has recently been cleared. On the road: how it drives, shifts and stops.
Time requiredAbout 90 minutes
ReportWritten, with costs
AppointmentRecommended
Pre-purchase inspection
Time requiredAbout 90 minutes
ReportWritten, with costs
AppointmentRecommended
What we will not do
We do not tell you whether to buy it. We tell you what it needs. The decision is yours and we have no interest in the sale either way.
Before you buy, not after
A pre-purchase inspection is the cheapest hour anyone spends on a used car. You get what passes, what fails, and what it would take to put right — in writing, so you can decide with numbers instead of a feeling. We have no interest in whether you buy the car.
Thao Auto Repair is on El Cajon Blvd in North Park, San Diego, and has been family run for over forty years — started by Le’s father and run by Le ever since. Most of the cars that come through are from the neighborhoods around the shop: North Park, University Heights, Normal Heights, South Park, Hillcrest and City Heights. All makes, domestic, Asian and European. Repair, auto body and a full machine shop are on the one site, which is why a job needing two of the three never leaves the building.
Book a slot
Tell us the symptom. We will tell you the next opening.
The chat narrows the symptom down with you so the call is short and the desk knows what to pull before you arrive. It will not diagnose your car in a chat window, and it does not book for you — the last step is a phone call, to a person.
Where we are
3400 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104
Mon–Fri · 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
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