Looking to buy an s2000 in Summerville, SC. I’m an out of state buyer looking for recommendations on a shop in the Charleston area that can perform a PPI for me. Thanks in advance!

 

You could look into Honda Medics. I've never been there but they often have S2ks on their IG.

 

I'm curious how a PPI for a privately owned car would really work. (I'm familiar with surveys of used boats and aircraft.)

To be valid the potential buyer has to commission the inspection otherwise we're just taking the seller's word for it. I doubt a seller will permit me to take the car to a dealer or specialist which means the specialist has to go to the car is which may allow simple things like a visual inspection and maybe checking tires, proper oil filter, and compression but little else. A $500,000+ classic car, of course. Inspecting a $20,000 Honda for several hours at a labor rate of $200/hour?

Just curious how others have handled this. I bought my used then 8-year old S2000 from a Honda dealer "as-is" but it had been thru their shop for periodic maintenance. My widow will be selling my car, not me.

-- Chuck

 

I have done it for a few people and how deep you go is up to the customer. Much is visual but SO MUCH can be learned from knowing what you are looking for/at. Have things been replace, are they worn/broken and nobody knows. If I could take it out for a drive even better as you can hear & feel how it drives and that alone tells me worlds.

If I was allowed to take out the coil packs, plugs, & valve cover I could inspect the inside for signs of overheating, wear no the cams, cracked retainers, Compression and leak down testing would be good as well. Pulling wheels lets you inspect bushings and boots, Axel Nut and digging way down in the engine bay you can check out the motor mount if it's done, same for the differential mount in the back, even the drive shaft can get inspected to see if it's slung gunk out should the grease seal have gone on it.