Brisbane, Logan & Ipswich · we come to the car
Pre Purchase Car Inspection in Brisbane
Buying a used car can look straightforward until you start wondering what the seller has not told you. Our pre-purchase car inspection Brisbane service will provide an unbiased opinion of the car prior to making a purchase. A competent inspector will come to the car, inspect it from top to bottom and provide you with a complete photographic record of the car you are buying so you know what you’re dealing with.
Independent of every dealer
Mobile, we travel to it
Same-day report
200+
checkpoints on the vehicle
90 min – 3 hrs
on site, depending on package
Same day
report, then a call
No call-out fee
anywhere we cover
Who books one
Private sale, dealer yard or auction
Whether you are buying from a private seller, dealership or auction, a proper vehicle pre-purchase inspection can uncover problems that are easy to miss during a quick viewing. We deal directly with the seller and inspect the car where it is, so you can make a decision with actual information in front of you.
Buying privately
- We contact the seller and arrange a suitable inspection time
- You do not need to travel across Brisbane or meet the seller twice
- A private sale gives you little protection once the money changes hands, so the report matters
Buying from a dealer
- A dealer’s inspection is not the same as an independent assessment
- We inspect the vehicle without working for the dealership
- Our findings can give you useful evidence when negotiating the asking price
Auction or interstate
- Have the vehicle inspected before you place your bid
- Get photographs and findings even when you cannot see the car yourself
- Speak with the inspector before you make the final decision
The checklist
What a Pre-Purchase Vehicle Inspection Brisbane Covers
A proper inspection should look beyond the engine starting and the paint looking clean. Our vehicle inspection Brisbane service covers more than 200 checkpoints across the mechanical, electrical, structural and cosmetic areas of the vehicle. You receive the findings in a clear report rather than being left to work everything out yourself.
Engine & drivetrain
- Cold start, idle quality and unusual engine noises
- Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and transmission fluid condition
- Visible leaks around the engine, gearbox and differential
- Belts, hoses, mounts and cooling system condition
- Battery condition, voltage and charging performance
- Clutch, gearbox or torque converter operation
- Diagnostic scan for stored and current fault codes where supported
Body, paint & glass
- Panel gaps, alignment and signs of uneven repairs
- Paint depth readings to identify filler or resprayed panels
- Rust, bubbling and evidence of previous accident repairs
- Dents, scratches, stone chips and general body condition
- Windscreen cracks, chips and wiper condition
- Headlights, tail lights, indicators and exterior lights
Interior & electrics
- Air conditioning performance and heater operation
- Dashboard warning lights and instrument cluster function
- Electric windows, mirrors, central locking and sunroof
- Seatbelts, airbag warnings and child restraint anchor points
- Infotainment, cameras, speakers and parking sensors
- Wear to seats, pedals, trim and steering wheel
Tyres, brakes & suspension
- Tread depth across all four tyres and the spare
- Uneven tyre wear that may indicate alignment or suspension issues
- Brake pad and disc condition at the front and rear
- Handbrake travel and effectiveness
- Shocks, bushes, ball joints, steering and suspension play
- Jack, wheel brace and supplied tools where applicable
Underbody & structure
- Chassis rails, subframes and important mounting points
- Signs of previous impact, welding or structural straightening
- Flood damage indicators, moisture and silt in hidden areas
- Exhaust system, heat shields and catalytic converter
- Towbar installation and wiring where fitted
- Underbody corrosion, especially on vehicles exposed to coastal conditions
History & paperwork
- PPSR check for outstanding finance against the vehicle
- Written-off and stolen vehicle status
- VIN, engine number and compliance plate checks
- Odometer reading compared with vehicle wear and available history
- Registration status and expiry date
- Service history, logbook and records supplied by the seller
Packages
One price, all of Brisbane, no call-out fee
Every package includes travel to the vehicle, the inspection report and a call afterwards to discuss what we found. Whether you need a straightforward pre-purchase inspection in Brisbane assessment or a more detailed inspection for an older or specialised vehicle, you can choose the package that fits the car.
Essential
$190
For a newer vehicle with good service history when you want an experienced second opinion before buying.
- 120-point mechanical and body check
- Engine, fluids, tyres and brakes
- VIN, registration and odometer check
- Short road test, 1–3 km
- Digital report with 25+ photos
Most booked
Standard
$250
The option most buyers choose when they want more than a basic check and want the areas that can make a real difference to the car’s value are examined properly.
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- 200+ points including underbody inspection
- Diagnostic scan were supported
- PPSR certificate and battery test
- Extended road test
- Detailed report with 60+ photographs
Premium
$395
For 4x4s, utes, European vehicles and cars with a complicated history or condition that needs closer attention.
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Full paint depth readings, panel by panel
- Drivetrain, transfer case and differential checks
- Live-data diagnostic scan
- Market valuation range
- Report with 70+ photographs and video
Add-ons · Hybrid or EV system check $60 · 4×4, ute or van $49 · Paint depth $50 · Video walkthrough $50
Timing
Fast enough to save the deal
Good used cars do not usually stay available for long. That is why our mobile pre-purchase car inspection service is designed around getting to the vehicle quickly rather than making you wait for an appointment at a workshop. Most inspections are completed within 24 to 48 hours of booking.
Booked in about two minutes
Book online at any time. Give us the vehicle details, its suburb and the seller’s contact information, and we handle the rest. Our pre-purchase inspection online booking process is simple, with no account needed before you can arrange the inspection.
90 minutes to three hours on the car
Essential usually takes around 90 minutes, Standard takes about two hours, and Premium can take up to three hours because of the additional paint readings and extended road test.
Report the same day, then a call
You will normally receive the report within a few hours after the inspection. The inspector who looked at the vehicle can then talk you through the important findings, so you are not left trying to understand a long report on your own.
Need it sooner?
- Same day pre purchase car inspection in Brisbane appointments are often available on weekdays when booked before 10am
- Saturday inspections can be arranged where availability allows
- Tell us if another buyer is waiting or the seller is holding the car
- If we cannot meet your deadline, we will tell you before taking the booking
One real inspection 3
- Front brake pads at 20% Replace within 5,000 km · approx. $320
- Rear tyres worn unevenly Alignment plus two tyres · approx. $480
- Minor oil weep, rocker cover Gasket and labour · approx. $260
Sample findings — illustrative figures
Is it worth it
An independent pre-purchase car inspection can pay for itself quickly
A car can look clean, drive reasonably well and still have several repairs waiting underneath. In one ordinary inspection, brake pads, uneven tyres and an oil leak added up to around $1,060 in likely repairs. That was roughly four times the inspection cost.
You negotiate with evidence
It is easier to discuss a lower price when you can show the seller photographs and actual inspection findings. Instead of saying you think something is wrong, you have a written report showing what needs attention and what those repairs may involve.
Or you walk away early
Sometimes the best result is finding a problem before you buy the car. Around one inspection in six ends with our advice not to purchase the vehicle. Finding that out before handing over thousands of dollars can save far more than the inspection fee.
And you know what you bought
Even if everything is fine, the inspection provides a better understanding of the car and what repair it might require in the future. This data can be useful to plan servicing and repairs within the first few years of ownership.
FAQs
Everything people ask before booking
Buying a used car comes with plenty of questions especially when you are dealing with a private seller or a vehicle you cannot inspect yourself. Here are the questions we hear most often.
How much does a pre-purchase car inspection cost in Brisbane?
Our inspections range from $190 for Essential to $395 for Premium, including GST and travel within our service area. There is no separate call-out charge. The right package depends on the vehicle. A newer car with complete service records may need less time than an older 4WD with a complicated history.
What does a pre-purchase car inspection include?
Our inspection covers more than 200 checkpoints across the engine and drivetrain, body and paint, interior and electrics, tyres, brakes, suspension, underbody and vehicle paperwork. Where it is safe and legal, the inspection also includes a road test. The what does a pre-purchase car inspection include question is best answered by looking at the full checklist above.
Is pre-purchase car inspection worth it?
Yes, particularly when you are spending thousands on a used vehicle. A clean report gives you confidence, while a serious finding gives you the chance to negotiate or walk away before the purchase. That is why pre-purchase car inspection is really about what you could lose by buying without checking.
How long does a pre-purchase car inspection take?
The inspection takes between 90 minutes and three hours on the vehicle, depending on the package. Essential takes around 90 minutes, Standard around two hours and Premium up to three hours. Report preparation and the follow-up call are additional to the time spent inspecting the car.
Can I get a same day pre-purchase car inspection in Brisbane?
Often, yes. When you book before around 10am on a weekday, we can usually arrange a same day pre-purchase car inspection in Brisbane appointment, depending on the vehicle’s location and seller availability. Most bookings are completed within 24 to 48 hours. If your timing is tight, tell us when booking.
Do you inspect cars for a private sale?
Yes. A pre-purchase inspection for private sale is one of the most common services we provide. We contact the seller, arrange access and confirm the inspection time with you. You do not need to attend. Since private sales generally do not come with the same protections as buying from a dealer, having an independent report before paying is especially useful.
Can you inspect a car at a dealership?
Yes. We inspect dealer vehicles regularly. A dealer may have its own inspection or safety certificate, but that is not the same as an independent assessment. A pre-purchase inspection for a dealer car gives you a separate opinion about the actual condition of the vehicle before you agree to the purchase.
Do you do pre purchase inspections near me?
We service the greater Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich region from Redcliffe, North Lakes, through to Loganholme and as far as Ipswich and Springfield. Even if you don’t know if the vehicle is within our service area, call us to check it out for pre pre-purchase inspection near me.
How do I book a car inspection?
The Brisbane Car Inspections process takes approximately 2 minutes and is available online. Please provide vehicle information location and the seller’s contact information so we can reach out to the seller for access. And if you prefer to speak to somebody first you can give us a call and talk about whether or not an inspection is suitable for the vehicle.
Seeing a car this week?
Do not wait until after you have paid a deposit. Arrange your pre-purchase inspection in Brisbane while you still have the chance to negotiate or walk away. Most inspections happen within 48 hours, and the report is normally provided the same day.