Legal

Terms of Service

Last updated: August 11, 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of houstonppi.com and the inspection services provided by Houston PPI ("Houston PPI," "we," "us," or "our"), a mobile pre-purchase vehicle inspection company operating in the Houston, Texas area. By using our website, submitting a booking request, or purchasing our services, you agree to these Terms in full.

1. Services

Houston PPI provides independent mobile pre-purchase vehicle inspection services at franchised dealerships and independent used car lots in the Greater Houston, Texas area. Current service packages and pricing:

Prices are subject to change. The price displayed at checkout at the time of booking governs your transaction. Houston PPI reserves the right to modify, discontinue, add, or rename service packages.

2. Booking and Payment

All bookings are made through houstonppi.com or other authorized booking channels and require full payment at the time of booking. Payment is processed securely through Stripe. A booking is confirmed only upon successful payment.

By completing a booking, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Terms, including the refund, cancellation, and inspection-scope provisions.

3. Cancellation, Refund, and Transfer Policy

24-Hour Cancellation Policy. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the appointment and no-shows are non-refundable.

Vehicle unavailability: If the vehicle becomes unavailable, notify Houston PPI at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment for a full refund or a free transfer of your booking to another vehicle. Notification received within 24 hours of the appointment is treated as a late cancellation — no refund, but the 24-hour transfer window applies.

Same-day bookings: A same-day booking may be canceled for a full refund only if the cancellation request is received and confirmed before the inspector has been dispatched. Once the inspector is en route or on-site, the fee is non-refundable.

Inspection outcome: Houston PPI's fee covers inspector time, travel, preparation, and expertise — not a specific outcome. If a vehicle is found to have significant issues, fails to meet expectations, or the customer decides not to purchase, no refund is issued. The completed inspection report is the service deliverable.

4. Customer Responsibilities

By booking an inspection, you confirm that:

5. On-Site Access and Vehicle Availability

Houston PPI does not control vehicle availability, dealership inventory, seller actions, or dealership personnel. If upon arrival the inspector is unable to locate the vehicle, the vehicle is unavailable, access is refused, or the vehicle has been sold, the cancellation and refund policy applies based on the timing of that notice relative to the scheduled appointment.

Houston PPI's confirmation of an appointment does not reserve the vehicle at the dealership. Customers are responsible for confirming vehicle availability with the dealership before the scheduled inspection.

6. Independence from Dealerships

Houston PPI is an independent inspection company. We are not affiliated with, employed by, controlled by, or acting as an agent of any dealership or vehicle seller unless expressly disclosed otherwise. Houston PPI does not represent the dealership and does not sell vehicles.

Houston PPI cannot control or guarantee: whether a dealership sells the vehicle before or after the inspection; whether the vehicle has been cleaned, repaired, modified, or altered before the inspection; whether dealership personnel cooperate fully with the inspection; whether keys are available or the vehicle can be accessed; whether the dealership permits a road test; or any statements made by dealership or seller personnel. Any representations made by the dealership or seller are the responsibility of those parties, not Houston PPI.

7. Scope of Inspection

7.1 — Nature of a Pre-Purchase Inspection

A pre-purchase inspection is a professional opinion based on the visible and accessible condition of the vehicle at the time and under the circumstances in which it is presented. An inspection is a snapshot — not a guarantee of the vehicle's future condition, reliability, or fitness for any purpose. Houston PPI provides information to assist you in making a more informed purchasing decision. The decision to purchase or not purchase a vehicle remains yours.

7.2 — General Limitations

A pre-purchase inspection cannot guarantee detection of:

7.3 — Road Testing

A road test may be included when conditions permit and in the inspector's professional judgment. A road test may not occur because the dealership or seller does not permit it, the vehicle cannot be safely moved, weather or traffic conditions, the vehicle has active warning lights or safety concerns, insufficient fuel or charge, or other circumstances beyond Houston PPI's control. The absence of a road test for these reasons does not mean the inspection was not performed.

7.4 — Diagnostic Scanning

OBD-II and other diagnostic tools provide useful information but have limitations. Coverage, depth, and available data parameters vary by vehicle year, make, model, and configuration. Codes may have been cleared before the inspection. Diagnostic results should be considered alongside the physical inspection and do not represent a comprehensive mechanical diagnosis.

7.5 — Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

For EV and hybrid vehicles, Houston PPI may review battery-related information accessible through the vehicle's onboard systems or diagnostic tools. The availability and accuracy of such information varies by vehicle. Unless specifically disclosed as part of a separate service, our inspection does not constitute a manufacturer-certified battery capacity test, laboratory battery degradation test, or independent battery certification.

7.6 — High-Mileage and Older Vehicles

Vehicles with significant mileage or age may exhibit wear, fluid leaks, noises, cosmetic deterioration, maintenance needs, or components approaching end of life. Houston PPI documents observed conditions and provides professional observations but cannot predict future reliability or guarantee how long an older vehicle will continue to operate.

7.7 — Vehicle History Information

Houston PPI may review vehicle history information when available. Vehicle history reports are produced by third-party services and depend on information reported by outside entities. "No accident reported" does not mean the vehicle has never been damaged — only that no accident was reported to that reporting service. Houston PPI is not responsible for the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of third-party vehicle history data.

7.8 — Dealer Restrictions

Houston PPI may be unable to perform certain aspects of an inspection if the dealership or seller imposes restrictions on access, road testing, diagnostic procedures, or specific inspection activities. Houston PPI will document restrictions encountered. Dealer-imposed limitations do not entitle the customer to a refund.

7.9 — Inspector Discretion

Houston PPI reserves the right to decline to perform or to terminate an inspection when in the inspector's professional judgment continuation would present an unreasonable safety risk, the vehicle presents conditions that prevent a meaningful inspection, access or cooperation is refused, or other circumstances make performance unreasonable.

7.10 — Customer-Requested Items

Customers may request that specific areas of concern be examined. Houston PPI will make reasonable efforts to address requests within the scope of the purchased package. A customer request does not expand scope to include laboratory tests, disassembly, alignment measurements, manufacturer certifications, or services not included in the purchased package.

7.11 — Aftermarket Modifications

Vehicles with aftermarket modifications may have altered components or behaviors that affect inspection scope, accuracy, or results. Houston PPI will note visible modifications but cannot certify the quality, safety, or compliance of aftermarket work.

8. Vehicle Eligibility

Services are currently available for passenger cars, light trucks (1500-series and below), SUVs, and crossovers. We do not currently inspect:

Houston PPI reserves the right to decline any inspection request based on vehicle type, location, safety considerations, access limitations, or other operational factors.

9. Vehicle Listing Information

Customers may submit vehicle listing links during the booking process. Houston PPI may use listing information to identify the vehicle, determine the inspection package, and prepare for the inspection. Vehicle listings are produced by third parties. Houston PPI does not control and does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or currency of third-party listing content.

If listing information is inaccurate — such as incorrect vehicle identification, trim, mileage, or location — Houston PPI is not responsible for errors arising from that inaccuracy and reserves the right to adjust pricing based on the vehicle's actual configuration if it differs materially from the listing.

10. Automated and Assisted Communications

Houston PPI uses automated, semi-automated, AI-assisted, rules-based, and human-assisted systems to communicate with customers. A message from Houston PPI may have been generated or delivered by an automated system rather than personally composed by a staff member. Houston PPI personnel may review communications and intervene when human attention is appropriate.

No automated communication can independently modify these Terms, waive fees, guarantee vehicle availability, change the cancellation policy, promise a refund, or otherwise create binding obligations beyond those established in these Terms and your booking confirmation. Automated systems may occasionally experience delays, technical errors, or delivery failures. Customers should rely on their confirmed booking information and contact Houston PPI directly if they believe a communication contains an error.

11. Inspection Reports

11.1 — Report Delivery

Reports are delivered electronically to the email address you provide. Delivery may be affected by spam filtering, incorrect email addresses, or email provider delays. Contact us if you have not received your report within the expected timeframe.

11.2 — Purpose

The inspection report documents the inspector's findings at the time of inspection. It is prepared for the use of the customer who commissioned it. The report reflects professional opinions based on information available at the time and is not a warranty, guarantee, or certification of the vehicle's condition.

11.3 — Third-Party Reliance

The inspection report is prepared for the commissioning customer. Houston PPI does not authorize third parties — including dealerships, lenders, insurers, or subsequent vehicle buyers — to rely on the report as a guarantee or certification of the vehicle's condition. Houston PPI is not responsible for how third parties use or interpret the report.

11.4 — Post-Inspection Support

Houston PPI may provide reasonable clarification of report findings. Purchasing an inspection does not guarantee unlimited phone consultation or immediate access to an inspector following report delivery. Customers are encouraged to review the report thoroughly and submit specific written questions.

12. Warranties and Service Contracts

Houston PPI inspects vehicles. We do not sell, administer, or guarantee any dealership warranty, extended warranty, or vehicle service contract. Our inspection is independent of and does not evaluate the terms, coverage, exclusions, or enforceability of any warranty or service contract offered by the dealership or a third party.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Houston PPI's total liability for any claim arising from or related to its services shall not exceed the amount paid by the customer for the specific inspection giving rise to the claim.

In no event shall Houston PPI, its owner, officers, employees, inspectors, independent contractors, representatives, or agents be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including vehicle purchase costs, repair costs discovered after the inspection, loss of vehicle value, lost profits, or other economic losses arising from or related to the inspection, the inspection report, vehicle availability, or the customer's purchasing decision.

14. Customer Accuracy

You are responsible for the accuracy of the information you provide. Providing false or materially inaccurate information — including regarding vehicle identity, location, or dealership — may result in forfeiture of the booking fee and termination of services.

15. Electronic Communications and Consent

By booking with Houston PPI, you consent to receive electronic communications — including email and text messages — regarding your inspection service. These communications may be generated, assisted, or delivered by automated systems as described in Section 10.

If you provide your telephone number and check the SMS consent box during checkout, you expressly consent to receive text messages from Houston PPI regarding your inspection. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP. Opting out of operational inspection-related messages may affect our ability to deliver your service.

16. Service Area

Our mobile inspection service covers the Greater Houston, Texas metropolitan area, including but not limited to: Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Pearland, Pasadena, Humble, Cypress, Spring, Friendswood, League City, Baytown, Conroe, Missouri City, Stafford, and Richmond. Service availability outside these areas is at our discretion.

17. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

These Terms and any dispute arising from or related to Houston PPI's services shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. You agree to attempt to resolve disputes informally by contacting Houston PPI first. If informal resolution is not possible, disputes shall be resolved in courts of competent jurisdiction in Harris County, Texas.

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

19. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with your booking confirmation and the Privacy Notice, constitute the entire agreement between you and Houston PPI regarding your inspection service. They supersede any prior communications, representations, or agreements, including any inconsistent statements made through automated communications.

20. Changes to These Terms

Houston PPI reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be posted with an updated effective date. Your continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

21. Contact Us

For questions about these Terms, please contact us: