| name | PPI Scheduler |
| description | Use to book a pre-purchase mechanical inspection (PPI) before finalizing a used-car purchase, especially when juggling 2-4 final candidates. Triggers include "book PPI", "mobile inspector NJ", "pre-purchase inspection", "Lemon Protector", "YourMechanic", "Pep Boys mobile inspection", "提车前检车", and Spanish phrase "agendar inspeccion pre-compra antes de comprar el auto usado". |
PPI Scheduler
Caveat: this skill is one author's playbook + 5-scenario stress test. Verify state fees / CPO terms / EV credits / dealer practices against current sources before quoting numbers to a dealer or making financial decisions. Not tax, legal, or financial advice.
last_verified: 2026-05-18 (Phase 3C sub-skill split from orchestrator)
Narrow helper: book a mobile PPI on one or more final candidates before
signing. Defers the full inspector directory + form-field gotchas to
../orchestrator/references/ppi_booking.md.
When To Use
- Buyer has 1-4 used-car final candidates and wants mechanical sign-off
- Buyer asks for a mobile inspector recommendation by region
- Need PARALLEL booking strategy across 2-4 dealers same day
- Need brand-specific PPI scope (Subaru CVT, Toyota hybrid, etc.)
- Post-PPI walk vs proceed decision
When NOT To Use
- New car off the truck under factory bumper-to-bumper - PPI is rarely
cost-justified; skip
- CARFAX history review only (no mechanical) - delegate to
carfax-pdf-review
- General CPO benefits eligibility - delegate to
cpo-eligibility
Mobile PPI Services by Region
| Region | Service | Price | Notes |
|---|
| NY / NJ / CT | Lemon Protector | $139+ | lemonprotector.com, dispatched tri-state |
| CA / Bay Area | YourMechanic | $150-200 | App-based, ASE-certified |
| CA / SoCal | Lemon Squad | $175 | Mobile, fast scheduling |
| Multi-state | Pep Boys Mobile | $150 | Variable quality by region |
| Multi-state | Carchex Mobile Inspection | $190 | Insurance-grade reports |
| Local fallback | Yelp top-rated ASE shop | $100-200 | Best for brand specialists |
For Subaru / Toyota / Honda hybrid powertrains: prefer brand-specialist shop
over generic mobile when one is within 15 miles. Specialists catch CVT
seepage, head gasket weep, inverter coolant level that generic miss.
Parallel Booking Strategy (2-4 Candidates Same Day)
Per orchestrator gotcha P1: when there are 2-4 final candidates and the buyer
plans to commit within 24-48 hours, stagger PPIs on a SINGLE day to compress
the decision window.
| Slot | Time | Note in booking form |
|---|
| 1 | 9:00 AM | "BOOKING 1 of N - tentative, finalizing by 11 AM" |
| 2 | 10:30 AM | "BOOKING 2 of N - tentative, finalizing by 11 AM" |
| 3 | 12:00 PM | "BOOKING 3 of N - tentative, finalizing by 11 AM" |
| 4 | 1:30 PM | "BOOKING 4 of N - tentative, finalizing by 11 AM" |
Cancel the unused slots no later than 24 h before the scheduled time to avoid
the service's no-show fee (typically half the inspection cost).
Inspector dispatch needs (collect BEFORE filling the form):
- Dealer phone number (NOT cell - dealers route mobile inspectors via the
service desk)
- VIN (17 chars)
- Dealer street address + ZIP
- Service-bay confirmation (call dealer day before: "your service bay is
expecting a Lemon Protector inspector at for VIN <last 6>")
Online Booking Form Quirks
Per orchestrator gotcha P2: every mobile-PPI booking form has the same 5
gotchas. Snapshot the page before each step.
| Quirk | Symptom | Fix |
|---|
| Year dropdown caps at current/-1 year | 2026 vehicle on a form that maxes at 2025 | Pick 2025, put true year in NOTES |
| Date input ISO format | "12/30/2026" rejected | Use YYYY-MM-DD: "2026-12-30" |
| State default = service HQ state | Form pre-fills NJ when buyer is in NY | Manually pick buyer's state |
| Phone TYPE default "Cell" | Dealer phone routed wrong | Change to "Work" for dealer number |
| Multi-page form stale state | Form resets fields between pages | Re-snapshot after each fill_form, before Submit |
Standard PPI Scope (50-pt mechanical)
The default checklist every mobile PPI runs:
- Cold start + idle vibration (engine NOT warmed up - critical for head
gasket / lifter detection)
- Test drive: 55-65 mph highway + city stop-and-go + parking-lot tight turns
- Brake feel + ABS function under firm stop
- Suspension under load (uneven road, speed bumps at low speed)
- Transmission shift quality (CVT smoothness for Subaru, 10-speed downshift
for Ford, DCT clutch for VW/Audi)
- Exhaust leak check (visual + sound)
- Underbody inspection: frame condition, rust if Northeast / Rust Belt
- Battery health + alternator output
- Air conditioning function (cold + heat + defrost)
- All electronics: infotainment, ADAS calibration, power features
Brand-Specific PPI Additions
| Brand | Extra check |
|---|
| Subaru | CVT fluid color (should be red), head gasket weep, AWD coupling engagement |
| Toyota Hybrid | Inverter coolant level, hybrid battery scan via Techstream |
| Honda 1.5T | Oil dilution check (smell + level), valve adjustment due? |
| Ford EcoBoost | Turbo wastegate function, 5.0L manifold/exhaust |
| Mazda SkyActiv | Carbon buildup symptom check on intake valves |
| Pickup (HD) | Tow hitch wear, transmission cooler clean, 5th wheel rail wear |
| Pickup (light) | Bed wear, hitch wiring integrity, 4WD engagement |
For pickup-specific scope see ../orchestrator/references/vertical_playbooks.md#part-1--pickup-truck-specifics § 4.
Post-PPI Walk-Decision Matrix
| PPI finding | Action |
|---|
| Clean PPI + dealer-revealed CARFAX matches | PROCEED |
| < $500 inherited cost (e.g. minor scuff, light bulb) | PROCEED; ask dealer to address pre-close |
| $500-$2,000 inherited cost (e.g. brake pads + rotors, tires) | COUNTER: ask $1-2k OTD reduction |
| > $2,000 OR structural (frame rust, head gasket weep, transmission slip) | WALK |
| PPI report disagrees with CARFAX (undisclosed accident damage found) | WALK + report to state AG if egregious |
Get the report in writing (PDF) - some dealers ask to see it and offer to
"fix" issues for free. Politely decline unless they put the fix on the
buyer's order in writing.
Cross-References
../orchestrator/references/ppi_booking.md - full inspector directory,
state-by-state pricing, booking form screenshots../orchestrator/references/vertical_playbooks.md#part-1--pickup-truck-specifics § 4 - pickup
PPI scope additions../orchestrator/SKILL.md gotcha V1 - CARFAX vs PPI evidence priority../orchestrator/SKILL.md gotcha V2 - dealer "we already inspected" trick../orchestrator/SKILL.md gotcha P1 - parallel booking strategy../orchestrator/SKILL.md gotcha P2 - form field gotchas
Output Contract
After every PPI scheduling pass, return to the operator:
PPI scheduling pass - <timestamp>
Candidates: N
Bookings made:
1. <service> at <time> for <year make model> @ <dealer>, $<fee>
2. <service> at <time> for ...
Booking IDs (for cancel): [list]
Cancel deadline (T-24h): <date time>
Dealer service desk calls due: <date>
Brand-specific scope added: <yes/no, which brand>
After PPI completes, return:
PPI result pass - <timestamp>
Vehicle: <year make model VIN>
Verdict bucket: PROCEED / COUNTER $<n> / WALK
Inherited cost estimate: $<n>
Report PDF on disk: <path>
