Sample Report
What you receive from Motor Diligence
This is a representative example of a Motor Diligence Buyer-Side Due Diligence summary. Names, VINs, and specific details are illustrative.
For completed reviews, buyers receive the original third-party inspection materials when available — including the full shop report, notes, and photos — along with Motor Diligence's buyer-side interpretation, risk summary, negotiation points, and recommendation.
2021 Porsche Cayenne S — Sample Report
VIN: WP1AB2AY4M******* · Listed in Dallas, TX · Asking: $74,500
Report Date
April 28, 2025
Vehicle Snapshot
Year / Make / Model
2021 Porsche Cayenne S
Mileage
38,400 miles
Seller Type
Independent dealer
Carfax Accidents
1 minor (rear)
Title
Clean — Texas
Service History
Partial (2 records)
Inspector
Independent shop, Dallas area
Inspection Type
Full pre-purchase inspection
Overall Recommendation
Negotiate
This vehicle has identifiable issues that warrant a price reduction before proceeding. Do not pay asking price. Specific negotiation points are listed below.
Risk Summary
1
Significant Issues
2
Moderate Issues
2
Minor Items
2
Items Passed
Key Findings
Transfer case fluid contaminated with metal particles
Inspector noted metallic debris visible in transfer case fluid sample. Indicative of internal wear. Requires immediate further diagnosis.
Est. Cost
$800–$3,200 (fluid service + potential rebuild)
Rear brake rotors at minimum thickness
Both rear rotors measured at or near discard spec. Replacement recommended before next brake service.
Est. Cost
$380–$580 (rotors + pads, independent shop)
Front tires mismatched — one non-OEM brand
Front left tire is a budget-tier non-OEM brand. Not matching the OEM spec. Indicates possible recent damage or undisclosed incident.
Est. Cost
$250–$400 (matched set, OEM spec)
Coolant due for service (age/color)
Coolant appears aged based on color. Not urgent but should be serviced within next 12 months.
Est. Cost
$80–$150 (coolant flush)
Minor wear on driver seat bolster
Expected for mileage. Cosmetic only.
Est. Cost
Cosmetic — not actionable
Engine runs clean — no smoke, no oil leaks
No visible oil leaks at gaskets or seals. Engine startup normal.
Suspension components within spec
All four corners inspected. No play in bushings or ball joints. Alignment within tolerance.
Lift Inspection Evidence
Undercarriage AccessThe following findings were only visible after the vehicle was raised on a lift. Ground-level inspection would not have surfaced these items.
Surface rust — age-consistent
Weeping seal — minor
No cracks, mounting intact
Underbody coating intact
No corrosion, secured
Dry, no water intrusion
All photo references correspond to inspector-numbered attachments included with the full report package.
Transfer case output seal — weeping
Light oil film visible on lower transfer case housing near rear output seal. Not an active drip at inspection time but consistent with early seal failure. This finding directly supports the transfer case fluid contamination noted in Key Findings.
Engine oil pan gasket — dry
No seepage at oil pan perimeter or drain plug. Consistent with recent oil service.
Transmission pan — dry
ZF 8HP transmission pan dry. No indication of fluid loss. Pan bolts appear factory-torqued.
Front lower control arm bushings
No cracking or deformation
Front upper ball joints
No play detected under load
Rear trailing arm bushings
Minor surface cracking — age normal
Anti-roll bar end links (front)
Tight — no rattle
Rear sway bar links
No play or noise
Air suspension lines (front)
No abrasion, routing secure
Ball joint and bushing play assessment requires lifted access — cannot be replicated ground-level without a helper.
| Location | Rotor thickness | Pad remaining | Tire tread depth | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Left | 28.2 mm | 6 mm | 7/32" | OK |
| Front Right | 28.0 mm | 6 mm | 5/32" ⚠ | Review |
| Rear Left | 18.1 mm ⚠ | 3 mm ⚠ | 7/32" | Review |
| Rear Right | 18.3 mm ⚠ | 3 mm ⚠ | 7/32" | Review |
Rotor discard spec for this model: front 26.0 mm / rear 16.0 mm. Exact measurements require wheel removal — lift access essential.
Front subframe
Light oxidation on lower frame rails. Age-consistent for a 4-year-old Texas vehicle. No pitting or scale.
Rear subframe
Uniform light surface rust across rear cradle. Underbody coating intact in primary load areas.
Rocker panels (inner)
Inner rocker pinch welds clean and dry. No mud packing or moisture trapping.
Floor pan
Full floor pan accessible and dry. No perforation, no evidence of repair welding.
Wheel arches
Minor paint scuffing at arch lips. No corrosion at seam or liner attachment points.
Transfer case output seal
ATF / transfer fluidThin oil film on housing exterior. Not dripping at inspection. Correlates with metal-particle contamination finding. Monitor closely.
Engine oil pan
Engine oilNo residue. Drain plug dry and properly torqued.
Power steering (hydraulic)
N/AThis model uses electric power steering. No hydraulic lines present.
Coolant hoses (lower)
CoolantLower radiator hose, heater return lines — all dry at clamps.
Fuel lines
FuelFull undercarriage fuel line run inspected. No residue, no odor detected.
Differential (rear)
Gear oilVery minor weeping at rear diff cover edge. Within acceptable limits; note for future monitoring.
Why this matters: Of the three significant and moderate findings in this report, two — the transfer case seal weep and the rear brake rotor measurements — were only confirmed after the vehicle was raised. A drive-only or ground-level walk-around would not have surfaced them. Lift inspection is standard practice in Motor Diligence's Buyer-Side Due Diligence service.
Negotiation Points
High severity — requires diagnosis and possible rebuild. Risk passes to buyer.
Rotors at minimum spec require replacement soon after purchase.
Indicates possible undisclosed incident. Replacement to OEM spec expected.
Questions to Ask Before Purchase
- Has the transfer case been serviced or diagnosed? Can you provide documentation?
- What caused the front tire replacement? Was there any suspension impact?
- Do you have the full service history beyond what was provided?
- Can you disclose more details on the rear minor incident noted in Carfax?
- Are you willing to provide a discount based on inspection findings?
Recommended Next Steps
- 01Request a $2,500–$4,000 price reduction citing specific findings above.
- 02Ask seller to clarify or document the transfer case condition before proceeding.
- 03If seller accepts, confirm title transfer process and payment method.
- 04If proceeding, contact Motor Diligence for shipping coordination options.
- 05Do not wire funds until title transfer documentation is reviewed.
Report Disclaimer
This report is based on an independent third-party physical inspection performed at buyer's direction. Motor Diligence reviews and interprets inspection findings but does not perform inspections, guarantee vehicle condition, or warrant against future mechanical issues. No inspection can identify every current or latent issue. This report is advisory in nature. Buyer assumes all purchase risk.
Ready to get a real report on your vehicle?
Inspect This Car