How to hire a vehicle inspector

How to hire a vehicle inspector, step by step

Here's a step-by-step vehicle inspector hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a vehicle inspector job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new vehicle inspector
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a vehicle inspector do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your vehicle inspector job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a vehicle inspector for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A vehicle inspector's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, vehicle inspectors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of vehicle inspector salaries for various roles:

   Type of Vehicle Inspector	Description	Hourly rate
   Vehicle Inspector		$13-36
   Transportation Inspector	Depending on the means of transportation they work with, the job of a Transportation Inspector may vary. Part of your job is to ensure that all modes of transportation like, rails and subways are up and running... Show more	$13-36
   Equipment Inspector	The primary responsibility of an equipment inspector is to check equipment for any damage and perform troubleshooting. If the damage is beyond their capability, they transport the damaged equipment to reliable repair shops and report it to persons concerned... Show more	$13-42

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Inspect Vehicles
   • Mechanical Problems
   • Cleanliness
   • Condition Reports
   • Inspection Reports
   • Structural Damage
   • Arbitration
   • Data Entry
   • SGS
   • Drive Vehicles
   • Repair Costs
   • Customer Vehicles
   • Motor Vehicle
   • Safety Inspections

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Specialize in HVAC system on subway cars.
   • Work in several Honda plants in Ohio and warehousing.
   • Represent SGS and build relationships with auto dealerships and customers.
   • Inspect car components for compliance with FRA and AAR standards.
   • Submit completed inspection billing statements to SGS finance department for payments.
   • Perform inspections for Honda financial, ally financial, Chrysler financial.

   More vehicle inspector duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your vehicle inspector job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A vehicle inspector salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, vehicle inspectors' average salary in montana is 54% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level vehicle inspectors earn 63% less than senior-level vehicle inspectors.
   • Certifications. A vehicle inspector with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a vehicle inspector's salary.

   Average vehicle inspector salary

   $47,110yearly

   $22.65 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level vehicle inspector salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average vehicle inspector salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$65,685	$32
   2	Florida	$54,111	$26
   3	California	$52,377	$25
   4	New York	$51,504	$25
   5	Illinois	$51,497	$25
   6	Texas	$50,213	$24
   7	Tennessee	$48,029	$23
   8	Michigan	$47,917	$23
   9	Iowa	$46,423	$22
   10	North Carolina	$46,183	$22
   11	Georgia	$45,906	$22
   12	Louisiana	$44,820	$22
   13	Oregon	$44,069	$21
   14	Arizona	$42,698	$21
   15	Kentucky	$42,480	$20
   16	Massachusetts	$42,057	$20
   17	Missouri	$41,342	$20
   18	Minnesota	$40,855	$20
   19	Colorado	$40,667	$20
   20	Ohio	$39,144	$19

   Average vehicle inspector salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Parsons	$59,182	$28.45	59
   2	Komatsu America Corp.	$48,117	$23.13
   3	KAR Auction Services	$47,954	$23.05
   4	SGS	$47,848	$23.00	66
   5	Wrench	$47,115	$22.65	32
   6	ACV Auctions	$47,113	$22.65	60
   7	Floorplan Xpress	$46,710	$22.46	2
   8	Greensboro Auto Auction	$45,699	$21.97	1
   9	Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers	$44,813	$21.54	16
   10	Cox Enterprises	$41,449	$19.93	21
   11	North States Ind	$39,418	$18.95
   12	Cox Auto	$39,200	$18.85
   13	Metro Auto Auction	$38,771	$18.64
   14	Dominion Enterprises	$38,096	$18.32	14
   15	Glamour Shots	$37,881	$18.21
   16	Boch Automotive	$37,855	$18.20
   17	Cox Automotive	$34,468	$16.57
   18	ManpowerGroup	$33,938	$16.32	31
   19	Kelly Services	$33,926	$16.31	26
   20	Enterprise Holdings	$25,784	$12.40

4. Writing a vehicle inspector job description

   A vehicle inspector job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a vehicle inspector job description:

   Vehicle inspector job description example

   Who we are:We are Lemon Squad, a Wrench Inc, Company!
   
   Lemon Squad is the premier US based automotive inspection company with the largest network inspectors covering the entire USA including Hawaii and Alaska.
   
   What's the job?
   
   We have immediate openings for Mobile Pre-Purchase Inspectors in most US cities. Come and join a dynamic, ground-breaking team that is changing the way consumers make automotive purchase decisions. Lemon Squad offers pre-purchase inspections on all makes and models of pickup trucks, SUVs and sedans, foreign and domestic, and boasts the best customer service in the game.
   
   * A check sheet will be provided for the inspection and must be submitted with pictures as specified
   * Our Pre-Purchase Inspections pay $70-$100 per inspection with most inspections taking less than an hour (time and pay increases for exotics, classics, RV's, Boats, etc. inspections). Assignments pay a flat rate for locations within a 40 mile radius (outside the radius is a negotiated rate).
   * Warranty inspections range from $50-$80 per inspection
   * Front license plate installations pay $60 per installation + parts reimbursement
   
   Lemon Squad inspecting is a great way to make extra income and is considered a side job.
   
   Requirements
   
   JOB REQUIREMENTS
   
   This is a CONTRACT/1099 position. You would be an independent contractor and paid a flat rate by our company for your services.
   
   Are you a good fit?
   
   You must be detailed-oriented
   
   * You need to be able to use a cell-phone and computer
   * Provide good customer service
   * Have the ability to work independently and have a self-starter attitude
   * You must be dependable with reliable transportation
   * You may have to walk, bend, stoop, or stand to complete the required tasks.
   
   To be considered for this role, you will need:
   
   * To be available during regular business hours although some weekends may be required
   * A minimum of 2 years of automotive maintenance experience
   * The ability to drive to the vehicle location, using your own vehicle.
   * To complete assignments within a 48 hour window
   * The following tools are required prior to your first assignment
   * Tire tread gauge
   * Scan tool
   * A valid state driver's license for the state you are working in along with current vehicle insurance and registration
   * Cell-phone or camera that takes photos
   * Access to a computer with printer
   
   If this position sounds like it is a good fit, we want to hear from you.
   
   Lemon Squad, A Wrench, Inc company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions at Wrench, Inc. are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. You would be an independent contractor in this role with guarantee specified hours or number of assignments.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right vehicle inspector for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with vehicle inspectors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit vehicle inspectors who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your vehicle inspector job on Zippia to find and recruit vehicle inspector candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit vehicle inspectors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new vehicle inspector

   Once you've selected the best vehicle inspector candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a vehicle inspector?