No Pre-Purchase Inspections Include a Compression Test?

Started by cowboy · August 31, 2026 at 4:20 PM ET
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cowboy
OP
August 31, 2026 at 4:20 PM ET (edited Aug 31 ET)
#1

I've been interested in buying a used gas 2007-2014 Silverado 2500HD or 3500HD and not seeing very many fsbo trucks at all but there are several 125k+ mile rigs that fit my bill on used lots in my area. Thinking that through, I'm noticing that NONE of the national pre-purchase inspection franchises offer a compression test scenario & wondering if there is any chance whatsoever that any used car dealers would allow their trucks to go out to a 3rd party garage for any such off-site inspections.

Am I wasting my time looking for trucks on used car lots if I'm wanting a pre-purchase compression test?

With a top-end rebuild on a 6.0L purportedly costing ~$10k & a engine-comes-out rebuild purportedly costing ~$15k, how did we get to a place where there isn't enough demand for pre-purchase compression tests for Lemon Squad, et al to even offer one?

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TheCarGuy
TheCarGuy
August 31, 2026 at 5:40 PM ET
#2

I would think that a dealer should allow you to do an independent pre-inspection with a mechanic. If they don't, I'd just move on to the next dealership. Many times dealers might say they won't let someone do something...but when you tell them you are moving on to the next vehicle/dealer, they change their tune.

I would then pick the mechanic/shop you want to test, call them ahead of time and ensure they'd do the proper testing for you. I'd ask them to do a coolant pressure test + compression test, and a head gasket leak test (with fluid that reacts to C02). If they don't do the head gasket test you can do that on your own with a cheap test kit.

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Started by cowboy · August 31, 2026 at 4:20 PM ET