What am I looking for in a Pre-Purchase Inspection Report
What should I be looking for in a pre-purchase inspection report?
When you read an RV inspection report, focus on the high‑risk systems, clear evidence, and the inspector’s actionable summary — not just the number of items flagged. Key things to look for:
Water intrusion / roof & slide seals: look for moisture readings, notes or photos showing delamination, soft spots, sealant failures or patched areas — water damage is the single biggest deal‑breaker. (recnationstorage.com)
Tires, suspension, frame and undercarriage: check DOT tire date codes, axle/brake condition, rust or frame damage and any notes about needing scale/weight checks (GVWR vs. actual). These affect safety and legal load limits. (rvgeo.com)
Electrical, propane, appliances and HVAC: confirm tests of 12V/120V systems, generator start/run, furnace/AC operation, and a propane leak/pressure test or certification. Failures here are common and can be costly or dangerous. (rvgeo.com)
Documentation, VIN/recalls and compliance labels: the report should note VIN checks, title/brand issues, Federal Certification Label (GVWR/CCA), and any open recalls or collision history. Documentation problems affect registration and resale. (magazine.frva.com)
Inspector summary, severity codes, photos and cost-to-fix guidance: a good report groups items by severity (safety/urgent vs. cosmetic), includes photos, explicit recommendations, and estimates or referrals for specialists so you can negotiate or walk away. Review the inspector’s scope/limitations and certification too. (inspectrv.com)
Quick use tips: verify the inspector’s certification (NRVIA/RVIA or equivalent), confirm the inspection scope (what was and wasn’t included), keep the report and photos as negotiation leverage, and when in doubt get follow‑up specialist checks (roof, chassis, or gas systems). (nrvia.org) — FinestRVInspectors.com
Does your RV need Fluid Analysis?
Do you need to add Fluid Analysis to your RV inspection? We think you should, and here’s why:
Fluid analysis from Finest RV Inspectors, a NRVIA certified inspector, protects you from buying someone else’s headaches. Have you ever considered the cost of having to repair, or worse yet, replace an RV engine or transmission? These are incredibly expensive components that you depend on, day in and day out, to safely and efficiently move your RV down the road. Either of these components would require thousands of dollars to repair or replace plus you’d have to deal with weeks of “out of service” time due to manufacturer, dealer and/or service center delays. Perhaps not quite as expensive; but, generator problems could also become a major issue. Thankfully, the inspectors at Finest RV Inspectors are NRVIA certified inspectors; who are trained to pull fluid samples for lab processing as part of their “pre-purchase” inspections. Adding fluid analysis to your RV inspection helps ensure that you don’t end up inheriting someone else’s engine, transmission or generator problems. Potential problems, like internal part wear or excessive contamination, cannot be detected by non-certified inspectors who simply pull dipsticks and check fluid levels. Fluid analysis reports, from Finest RV Inspectors, shows you the true condition inside the components (engine, transmission, generator and cooling system) on the RV you may be considering for purchase. ISO certified laboratory testing shows if the RV fluids are still good or if they are either worn out or contaminated. Just as in home inspections, if maintenance or repairs are required, those costs can be negotiated as part of the deal. So, why take chances on these complex and ultraexpensive components when fluid analysis can reveal so much information about what’s going on inside? Fluid analysis is the only way to “look inside” RV engines, transmissions and generators and if your test reports show abnormal or critical results, it may be time to “keep looking”. — FinestRVInspectors.com