Remote inspection is a filter, not a replacement for every on-site check
A well-run live video can confirm that the exact machine exists, establish current condition, expose obvious defects and decide whether travel or third-party inspection is justified. It cannot measure every pressure, internal wear point or structural detail. Use it to reduce uncertainty in stages rather than asking it to prove more than the camera can show.
The session must be stock-specific. Agree the stock ID, machine model, location, date, participants and required sequence before the call. Send the checklist in advance but reserve the right to ask for unplanned close-ups and repeated functions.
Begin with time, place and identity
Ask the operator to show a live date or agreed code, the surrounding yard, the full machine and the stock reference before moving to the serial plate. Continue to the engine and major-component plates without switching to prerecorded clips. If signal loss forces a restart, record where the sequence broke.
Read plates slowly and capture still images. Compare model, serial, engine and component identities with the quotation. A year stated by the seller remains a claim unless supported by documents or a reliable plate convention.
Require a real cold start
Before the engine starts, show the engine area, ground below the machine, coolant and oil condition where safely accessible, battery area and the dashboard. Touch or use an infrared reading on relevant engine surfaces if appropriate to demonstrate that the machine has not been pre-warmed. Then film cranking time, exhaust, idle stability, warnings and leaks.
