The most common mistake buyers make with an inspection report is treating it as a guarantee. It is not. It is a dated record of observed condition, and its value lies in being specific rather than reassuring.
Start with what was tested under power. A mixer that ran at inspection tells you more than a page of photographs. If the report says a machine was not energised, that is not a red flag on its own — but it is a gap you should price.
Read the wear items next. Liners, bearings, seals and hydraulic hoses are consumables; their condition tells you what you will spend in the first year, not whether the machine is sound.
Finally, check the date. A report from six months ago describes a machine that has been sitting for six months. Ask whether it has been turned over since.