Risks associated with Friends and relatives inspections:

Having a friend or relative inspect today's complex automobiles can be disastrous. Not only can you end up with a lemon costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs, there's a good chance it will damage your relationship.

Many years ago, cars were very straight forward. A person with the basic knowledge of auto mechanics and a timing light could help you when purchasing a used vehicle. However, those types of inspections became obsolete in the early 70's. Today's technically advanced automotive systems need a ASE Certified Master Technician to properly inspect each mechanical and electrical systems and a ASE Frame Specialist to determine previous and existing structural damage.