SGS Automotive Services Offering Vehicle Inspections on eBay

150-Item Checklist Covers Comprehensive Review, Eliminates Worries of Misrepresentation

FAIRFIELD, N.J., April 1 -- SGS Automotive Services, the nation's largest vehicle inspection company, is offering its comprehensive vehicle inspection services on eBay, providing the convenience of professional inspections completed at homes or offices and alleviating buyers fears of misrepresentation.

"We offer confidence and convenience," said Kurt Biggar, vice president of sales and marketing for SGS. "Confidence comes with having your inspection completed by the oldest and largest vehicle inspection company in North America. Convenience comes from the fact that we go to wherever the vehicle is located, and we do inspections seven days a week."

SGS vehicle inspection reports can now be ordered directly from the eBay Motors website by clicking on the vehicle inspection icon. After placing a vehicle inspection order, an SGS customer service representative calls or e- mails the vehicle owner to schedule the inspection at a convenient time and place.

"For sellers, the inclusion of SGS inspection report can help improve the marketability of a vehicle for sale over eBay, and for buyers the report can offer greater peace of mind," said Rob Chesney, director of eBay Motors. "We are pleased to make the services of an industry leader such as SGS available to our community of users."

The Internet has transformed the $376 billion used car-market. Studies by CNW Marketing Research show nearly 30% of the 42.6 million used cars sold during 2002 were facilitated by the use of the Internet in some fashion, such as eBay. And last year, 47% of used-vehicle buyers turned to the Internet during the shopping process, according to J.D. Power.

The SGS inspection report helps eliminate worries about misrepresentation, helping to assure online shoppers of confidence that the car they purchase will be exactly what they expected. SGS's highly trained inspectors check for 150 items, giving consumers the same services that are available to financial institutions and major car companies.

The SGS inspection for most vehicles is $99.50, which includes a review of the vehicle interior and exterior, underbody and under hood, along with a test drive at no additional cost. For high-end luxury, classic and exotic vehicles, the inspection is $139. After the inspection is completed, the inspection report, along with digital photographs, are posted online for access by the buyer or seller, depending on who ordered the report.

SGS employs more than 1,400 employees nationwide who complete more than 15 million inspections each year, including new cars in transit, vehicles at the end of leases, rental cars exiting fleets and at auction yards. SGS's clients include major car manufacturing companies, financial institutions and rental car companies.

SGS Automotive Services is a subsidiary of SGS S.A., of Geneva, Switzerland, the world leader in verification, testing and certification for a broad range of industries. SGS Automotive Services, based in Fairfield, N.J., has more than 1,400 employees nationwide providing vehicle condition reports for new and used vehicles. SGS is the nation's leading facilitator of vehicles sales through the Internet.