“I’ve always had a deep respect for automobiles—the design, craftsmanship, engineering and raw performance,” says ASE expert Steven S. Paul. “From the curve of a fender to the sound of an engine under load, I’ve been hooked since I could turn a wrench.”
He comes from a long line of “car guys.” His grandfather had a garage where he spent countless hours half-playing, half-learning. His foundation in the industry, however, came from working in the family-owned autobody shop.
“We weren’t just fixing dents; we were racing friends from the local dirt track, then bringing the cars back to the shop to straighten them out. You learn quickly that if you cut corners, the track will expose you.”
That early hands-on experience instilled a no-nonsense approach that he has carried into every inspection, report and courtroom appearance. “I know what real-world damage looks like, what proper repairs require, and how to explain that in plain language. That’s the difference between someone who learned cars from a book and someone who’s lived under the hood—and it’s exactly why my opinions hold up under cross-examination.”
Paul went on to serve as a heavy track repairer in the U.S. Army where he was trained to fix anything with an engine—tanks, trucks, boats, generators. “Every repair decision could mean life or death. You learn to diagnose fast, make the right call under pressure, source parts in impossible places, and deliver a fix that holds up in combat. I know the difference between a half-done fix and one that stands up under fire.”
After serving his country and being honorably discharged, Paul worked for several shops and auction houses as an inspector before founding Test Drive Technologies where he provides pre-purchase inspections and analyses post-collision damage.
“I grew tired of working for companies that put profits ahead of people. Time and again, I saw people deceived by the used car industry—buying vehicles riddled with hidden damage, substandard repairs or structural issues. I wanted to give buyers a fair chance. That mission remains the bedrock of my work today.”
In 2009, Paul was approached by an attorney about a seemingly simple radio problem his client was experiencing in a new vehicle. This would be Paul’s first foray into expert witness work.
Despite multiple warranty repairs, the client’s car still had terrible radio reception—and each attempt to fix it involved tearing apart the headliner, sunroof, wiring harnesses, and interior trim. “By the time I got involved, the vehicle’s resale value had taken a serious hit. I conducted side-by-side tests on four different vehicles of the same make and model to prove the issue was specific to that car. Eventually, I traced the cause to a simple oversight: a retaining clip had pinched the antenna wire.”
The case settled before trial. That attorney has remained a valued client ever since. To date, Paul has performed more than 5,000 inspections for various cases including lemon law and dealer fraud.
“It all started with a ‘simple’ radio issue—proof that even small mechanical details can make or break a case,” he says.
Paul takes a hands-on approach to his investigations—almost ending up in a guardrail once when testing a Tesla’s self-driving mode. “What I do isn’t theory—it’s boots-on-the-ground in-
vestigation under real conditions, with real consequences. I verify. I test. I inspect every bolt and weld myself. When I put my name on a report or take the stand, it’s because I’ve seen it with my own eyes, confirmed it with my own hands, and can defend every word of it under oath. That’s the difference between textbook knowledge and courtroom-ready credibility.”
For more information, visit www.testdrivetech.com.
