The Pre-Purchase Inspection: What Actually Costs You Money

The pre-purchase inspection is the single largest source of friction in an aircraft transaction. Almost all of that friction is avoidable.

Agree the scope before the aircraft moves

Scope should be written into the purchase agreement: which inspection level, which facility, who pays for what, and how discrepancies are classified.

• Airworthiness items are typically the seller's account.
• Cosmetic and desirability items are typically the buyer's.
• The grey zone in between is where negotiations stall.

Facility choice matters more than people expect

A facility familiar with the type finds real issues faster and writes cleaner squawk lists. An unfamiliar shop generates noise, and noise costs downtime.

Budget for the unknown

Corrosion findings, ageing wiring, and out-of-limit structural items are the three categories that most often turn a predictable inspection into an expensive one. Hold a contingency and the deal survives them.