Pre-Purchase Corvette Inspections
Congratulations, you are interested in purchasing a vintage, classic or show corvette. You undoubtedly have some questions and we are here to help guide you. Below are some common questions we get when someone decides they need a Corvette Inspection done but not sure quite how to get started.

- How much should I pay?
- What year or body style should I get?
- What kind of resale value do Vintage Corvette's have?
- Should I buy from a dealer or a private party?
- Is buying a Classic Corvette at an auction a good idea?
- How do I know I am getting an authentic and or original Corvette?
- Who can I trust?
- Is the seller representing that the car is matching numbers, and/or all original but you would like confirmation?
- Are you unclear what "matching numbers" means?
- Not sure about obfuscating terms and phrases such as tribute, factory built, clone, re-body, ready for judging (our personal favorite), real deal, born with, body-off, restomod, all original, restored to NCRS specs, restoration motor, matching numbers, period correct, NOM, body-on, restamp, recreation, or CE block?
- Can you confidently recognize an original stamping?
- If you see these terms, we highly recommend calling us BEFORE you contact the seller.
You want a car that is reliable, will not have mechanical issues after the purchase and will retain (or perhaps increase) its value over time. But you also want to HAVE FUN driving it. And most importantly, you do NOT want to buy a fake or a lemon.
Let the experts at VetteWork
help you with a Pre-Purchase Corvette Inspection.
How Our Pre-Purchase Inspections Differ
Inspecting a Classic, Vintage, Show or any Corvette for that matter requires a particular skillset and LOT'S experience. Here is a brief summary of the difference between what we do and what others inspectors have done to investors.
How we inspect a Corvette
Our Corvette inspections are always done on-site by a Master Level Corvette Judge with over 25 years of experience. We have a well defined and strict process of evaluation so much so, we are often called as an Expert Corvette Witness in Corvette fraud cases. When we inspect a Corvette, it is a hands-on process. We know what to look for, what determines appraisal value and the fakes from the real deal. We know Corvettes like no other!
How others inspect a Corvette
Our competition either contracts out the inspection with other third party vendors located throughout the country, "who know very little about corvettes" or inspect Corvettes from pictures while sitting in a remote office. Our competition sends an “inspector” to do a cursory review. Unfortunately this “expert” has rarely, if ever, inspected a corvette and has no clue what they are looking at. The result is either an incomplete or inaccurate inspection.
INSPECTION AGREEMENT
After you contact Vettework, a Pre-Purchase Inspection Agreement is forwarded to you.
CUSTOMER CONTACT
You contact the owner and receive permission to have the vehicle(s) inspected.
INSPECTION DETAILS
You return the executed agreement, the details of the location of the vehicle(s), contact information of the owner.
MECHANICAL INSPECTION
We do a full and comprehensive inspection on the chassis, interior, exterior and all mechancials looking for damage, authenticity and possible fraud.
ROAD TEST
We road test the vehicle when possible and complete a thorough operations check to confirm all switches and controls function as they were originally designed, intended and expected.
INSPECTION DATE
We then do our best to arrange a date as soon as possible for the Corvette inspection that is convenient for us and them.
VEHICLE HISTORY
ALL Modifications, replacement parts, collision repairs, defects, fluid leaks, rust or corrosion, if detected, will be noted and photographed.
INSPECTION REPORTS
After we have finished the Pre-Purchase Inspection, we provide a comprehensive written report with all the data we collected as well as highly detailed photographs outlining what we found.
2412
Inspections Done
25+
Years Experience
1267
Appraisals Completed
20+
Awards Won
Don’t risk discovering AFTER you have bought the Corvette that you overpaid for the wrong car. Before you look up the online price guides that are so generic they are useless, before you call your brother-in-law who “knows a guy”, before you log on to the online forums to consult the ”internet judges” and before you call a dealer, I suggest we talk first. Once you have an independent evaluation, you will be armed with the knowledge, information and protection you need to move forward.
WHY YOU SHOULD CALL US
Here is a brief summary as to why getting a classic, vintage or show Corvette inspected by an actual judge/expert is so important so that the following things do not happen to you.
FRAUD
There is an ever increasing amount of collector car fraud in the market place today. This is represented by the following:
- Reproduction paperwork including Tank Stickers, Window stickers and Dealer Invoices.
These “documents” are being advertised as a “novelty” item by online sellers. What happens to that “novelty” item after the car is sold multiple times? We can tell you. It suddenly crosses the line and becomes “original” and then the price of the car doubles. And the next buyer becomes the latest fraud victim. Don’t let that person be you!
FAKE TRIM TAGS, VIN TAGS AND PROTECTO PLATES
RE-STAMPED ENGINES
CORVETTES BEING “RE-CREATED”
LACK OF KNOWLEDGE/SKILL
HIDDEN/UNKNOWN/UNDISCLOSED DAMAGE OR REPAIRS
DEALER DISCLAIMERS
What We Do Benefits You
Everything we do in regards to the Corvette Pre-Purchase Inspection Process is designed around arming you with ALL the information you need to make an informed decision.
Better Negotian Position90%
Saves Expenses98%
Better Leverage94%
Informed Decision100%
Armed with the knowledge contained in the Pre-Purchase Inspection, this benefits you in the negotiation process to purchase the vehicle by providing leverage with the seller. This also saves you the time and expense of traveling to the vehicle. Reports are confidential and not shared with the seller.
Give us a call today and you will be driving your dream corvette in a matter of days! Let the experts at VetteWork help with a Pre-Purchase Corvette Inspection. VetteWork serves the United States and Canada.
Commonly Asked Pre-Purchase Inspection Questions
How long does the inspection take?
The process typically takes 2-3 hours depending on the quality of the car. We examine all areas of the vehicle including chassis, mechanical, exterior (body/paint/fit/finish) and interior. Additionally, we perform a system check and take the vehicle for a test drive.
What geography do you cover? Are you (or someone that works for you) in my area, or the area where the car is located?
Are you trained to inspect Classic Corvettes?
Do you contract out your services to third parties?
Do I need a lift?
If I decide to move forward with an offer, but I am unsure what the market price is, can you provide advice?
Do you offer refunds?