Screan gives car buyers the confidence that their car passed the scrutiny of real experts, and has a complete service history.

Many scammers want to part you from your money, but Screan will help you avoid getting taken for a ride when buying a used vehicle.

Buying a pre-owned vehicle usually carries a measure of risk, due to the wide array of variables which apply to the previous lives of all used vehicles. In the past, buyers had no real way of knowing what lies in a vehicle’s past before signing an offer to purchase, such as its maintenance and repair history, and neither was its real condition apparent beyond the pretty pictures in an advertisement.

These concerns can now be consigned to history with a thorough screening, thanks to the innovative and useful service offered by Screan.

Visit the Screan website to explore the company’s services in greater detail.

Perhaps the service is named Srean because prior purchasing experiences made its founder scream and wish he'd been able to screen those cars beforehand!

What is Screan?

Screan is a one-stop service which offers car buyers some peace of mind. This service sends an inspector on behalf of the buyer, to take a detailed look at the used vehicle in which buyer is interested. If the vehicle checks out, the Screaning team will give it the thumbs-up, but if there are questions, the Screaners will raise the appropriate red flags.

With hundreds of inspectors (also known as Screaners) across the country, a prospective car buyer can request an independent expert report regarding a vehicle’s service history, verify that the vehicle’s mileage is indeed as advertised, and get feedback regarding the vehicle’s condition. Even if they’re far from the vehicle, an honest Screan report will act as the buyer’s own eyes during an inspection.

Screan will also include a high-res 360-degree walkaround video of the vehicle in question, to give a clear picture of its cosmetic aspects. Finally, getting Screan to look at a potential purchase removes the safety risk of meeting a potentially dodgy seller in a shady part of town, which will be a huge advantage when considering purchasing a vehicle in a remote location.

What’s the difference between a Screaning and a normal test centre examination?

The key factor which sets Screan apart from the myriad of roadworthy- and test facilities around the country is the fact that Screaners are impartial and not beholden to the vehicle seller or to test centre protocol. This is in stark contrast to most other inspection centres, which often have an informal agreement with their customers (usually vehicle sellers), leading to their test reports glossing over (or even ignoring) glaring discrepancies and faults present in the inspected vehicles.

But, because the customer commissions a Screaning of a prospective purchase at own expense, the Screaners work in service of the buyer instead of the dealership. This ensures that all defects and imperfections will be noticed and reported, giving the buyer a complete picture about the vehicle they intend to buy.

Get more info about everything which sets Screan apart from regular testing centres here.

Armed with a 60-point checklist and a nose for irregularities, a Screaner will notice anything abnormal with a car.

Why is it necessary to Screan a used car before buying?

In the words of Screan founder Mike Schlebach himself, this service was initiated because he often wanted to buy a used car in a faraway location, but was regularly disappointed by such cars not being what he expected upon an actual viewing.

Sometimes the vehicle’s odo was rewound, and sometimes the vehicle would not in fact have the complete service history with which it was advertised. In many cases, blemishes and hidden damage to the vehicle were simply not mentioned or honestly unnoticed by the seller, with such issues likely to become major problems down the road. 

These repeated disappointments prompted Mike to create a service which addresses his own frustrations, and which has now become available to all buyers in the used-vehicle arena.

Screaners can be private experts or well-regarded workshops.

Who are the Screaners?

Screan relies on a team of motor industry professionals, with experience ranging from vehicle retail experts to qualified motor mechanics. Some privately-owned workshops also provide Screaning services, but only those with solid ratings from industry authorities - once again avoiding any conflict of interest through collusion with dealerships and sellers.

In fact, Screan welcomes applications from prospective Screaners who would like to join the team - but those applicants will only be accepted into the fold if they have demonstrable expert-level skills, years of experience in the automotive technical field, and know the industry inside and out.

If you’re a real motoring expert and have the experience to show for it, you could apply to become a Screaner here.

The condition of a car's body will be investigated by a Screaner, and recorded in a 360-degree video.

How much does a Screaning cost?

For an inspection of a regular used car, Screan will charge its private customer R 1 045, while classic car Screaning will set the customer back R 1 150. The service is also available to resellers for the same price as a classic car’s inspection - this is worth it for retailers, as presenting a car with a roadworthy certificate alongside a clean bill of health from Screan will certainly improve the vehicle’s appeal to buyers. Buyers can also request that Screan negotiate with the seller on their behalf, exploiting any wiggle room in the seller’s offering at a cost of R 635.

Caravans, non-commercial trailers, and leisure boats can also be Screaned, and, because they are much simpler and easier to inspect, these vehicles only cost R 950 to be inspected. Whichever vehicle you’re considering as your next purchase, about a thousand bucks will buy you priceless peace of mind - and these charges can even be paid off over four monthly instalments.

A 60-point checklist like this one forms part of a Screan report, but there's more to be known about every used car.

What is included in a Screan report?

The process starts with a Screaner contacting the seller on behalf of the buyer, to set up an appointment for a viewing and a test drive. Afterwards, Screan will compile a comprehensive report based on a 60-point physical vehicle check, and include the 360-degree walkaround imagery obtained during the inspection.

The checklist covers pertinent questions regarding the vehicle’s registration- and ownership status, whether it is still financed, a comparison between the vehicle’s NATiS documentation and the actual vehicle data, how many previous owners the vehicle has had, known accident and repair histories, and whether the service schedule is up to date.

A thorough underbody inspection will pinpoint strange damage, oil leaks, and cast a verdict about the vehicle's other suspension components.

Moving to the physical inspection, the car’s body will be checked for signs of repairs and rust, and whether hidden damage is concealed by a shiny coat of paint. The tyre sizes, brands and wear status will be examined, and the suspension will be checked for strut leaks and worn mounting rubbers. The vehicle’s underside will also be closely inspected for unusual marks and loose parts, which may indicate shoddy prior repairs.

The drivetrain will also be checked for integrity, with smooth engine operation, fluid leaks, engine smoke, clutch problems, driveshaft condition, and transmission operation coming under scrutiny alongside a performance evaluation. Finally, the vehicle’s electrical system will be tested to ensure that all systems are operational, and the AWD system will be checked for mechanical defects.

If the buyer has any further queries, the Screaner will be available for consultation via the channels on the Screan website. The best defence against being ripped off is getting informed, and Screan will give you all the information you need to protect yourself in your car-buying journey.

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