Plugging in a standard OBD reader at a dealer tells you almost nothing. Here is what we find that you would otherwise miss.
A common tactic before selling a car: plug in a cheap reader, clear all fault codes, and list it as "no warning lights." Our professional equipment detects codes that have been recently cleared — including how many times and how recently. This alone can save you hundreds or thousands of pounds on a bad purchase.
Misfires, fuel trim issues, VVT faults, injector problems — these rarely trigger a persistent light but show up clearly on a professional scan. A car can drive fine on a short test drive while carrying an expensive fault.
Automatic gearbox codes, clutch wear sensors, diff faults and transfer case errors. Costly repairs that are easily hidden until the car changes hands.
ABS, airbag (SRS), stability control, brake assist — faults here can mean the safety systems will not work when you need them. Always worth checking, particularly on family cars.
DPF (diesel particulate filter) and AdBlue/SCR faults are some of the most costly repairs on modern diesel vehicles. We check these as standard — a DPF replacement can cost £1,000–£3,000.
We do not just check the engine. Our equipment reads every electronic control module in the vehicle.
Full fault code read including pending, stored and cleared codes. Emissions systems, fuel trims, MAF, O2 sensors.
Automatic and manual gearbox modules, clutch wear indicators, CVT faults, transfer case errors.
Anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability/ESC, hill-hold. Wheel speed sensor faults that can disable all of these.
Airbag control module, seat belt pretensioners, crash sensors. A fault here means airbags may not deploy.
Battery health, alternator output, stop-start system faults. Battery replacement can be expensive on modern vehicles.
Diesel particulate filter status, AdBlue/SCR faults, EGR issues. The most expensive repairs on modern diesels.
Electric power steering module faults — can affect steering feel or cause the system to fail entirely.
Air conditioning compressor, blend motors, temperature sensor faults. AC repair can cost hundreds.
Every fault listed in plain English with severity and estimated repair cost range. Use it to negotiate or walk away.
Pick a time that works for you — evenings and weekends available. Tell us the make, model and location of the car.
We meet you at the seller's home, a car dealer forecourt, or wherever the car is within the RCT area. No recovery needed.
We connect our professional equipment and scan every system — including checking for recently cleared codes. Takes up to 60 minutes.
We explain every finding on the spot in plain English. A written report is emailed to you — use it to negotiate, request repairs, or walk away.
No hidden extras, no call-out fee within 10 miles of Pontypridd. If we cannot identify any fault, you do not pay.
Travel surcharge may apply beyond 10 miles of Pontypridd — contact us to confirm.
"Used PAD before buying a second-hand Kia. Found two fault codes the seller had recently cleared. Negotiated £500 off the price. Worth every penny of the £35."
"Was about to hand over £4,500 for a Ford Focus. PAD found a DPF fault that had been cleared and a gearbox code. Walked away. Saved me a fortune."
PAD's pre-purchase check scans every electronic system — engine, gearbox, ABS, airbag, DPF, steering, climate control and more. We also detect recently cleared fault codes. A written report listing all faults with plain-English explanations and estimated repair costs is emailed to you.
Yes — PAD is a fully mobile service. We travel to the seller's home, a car dealer, or wherever the vehicle is located within Pontypridd and the wider RCT area. No recovery truck needed.
Yes. Our professional equipment can identify codes that have been recently erased — including how many times and how recently the memory was cleared. A cheap consumer OBD reader will not show this. This is one of the most valuable parts of our pre-purchase service.
Up to 60 minutes depending on the vehicle and the number of systems or faults found. We will not rush — you are making a significant financial decision and deserve a thorough check.
We explain every fault clearly on the spot, including rough repair cost estimates. You can use the written report to negotiate a lower price, ask the seller to fix issues before purchase, or walk away entirely — fully informed. Either way, £35 is far cheaper than discovering problems after you have bought the car.
Yes. We check vehicles at private addresses, forecourts, auction viewings and anywhere else within our area. The seller just needs to be present or provide access to the vehicle — it does not need to be running for part of the check.
Book a pre-purchase check today. Evenings and weekends available across Pontypridd and RCT.
Book Now — £35