It will never be repeated often enough: This is the single most important element in the purchase of a used car, and this, regardless of where the vehicle comes from.
10, 100 or 100,000 points?
On the topic of dealer inspections, it matters not what it is they do. Shops that advertise inspections "in an X amount of points" are doing nothing more than serving up an advertising ploy. Essentially, it only serves the interests of the manufacturer in the case of a certified car.
Where, who, what?
The most common form of inspection is taking the vehicle to a garage. This is all good however mechanicals are only part of the story. If the body is severely damaged, good brakes matter very little.
There are no rules that stipulate how far you may or may not go with the car for the inspection. Ideally, you should try and keep it in the neighborhood or within a reasonable distance from the seller.
The best option here is to get a professional inspector to make his or her way to the seller and verify the vehicle on the spot. Having to lift the car off the ground in order to perform a complete verification is not necessary.
In both of these cases, the inspection should begin with a thorough once-over of the car's body. If this step uncovers important issues, the inspection can end as the car should not be purchased.
Scenario
The Johnsons' salesperson arranges to get the Q7 aligned before it goes through the independent inspection arranged with the buyers' person of choice.
The Johnsons were able to find and make an appointment with an APA recommended mobile inspector based out of a neighboring town. He comes fully equipped with a paint depth gauge, telescoping mirrors, multi-meter, and a number of other tools and plenty of experience.
After 45 minutes of going around the car, the inspector provides the Johnsons with a completed report that touches on everything from the condition of the oil, the brakes and the temperature of air being blown by the air conditioner.
The inspector determines that the driver-side quarter panel has been repainted but was not involved in an accident or repaired and that the tires are near their wear bar.
The Johnsons discuss the condition of the tires with the salesperson and the price is reduced by $250 to cover a portion of the cost of new tires. As the Q7 is a few years old, no further reduction in price was negotiated for the repainted body panel.