pre-purchase car inspection

RACV vehicle inspections

A pre-purchase vehicle inspection is carried out for a vehicle being sold either by private sale or through a motor car trader.

Inspectors carry out a detailed visual inspection, an engine test and a road test, and then provide a detailed report giving you the information you need to make an informed decision.

Vehicle inspections can be done at one of our vehicle inspection centres or onsite at a private address. If the inspection is at a private address, there must be off-street parking available on a solid, flat surface (for OH&S reasons, a solid, flat surface must be available).

There are some vehicles that we cannot inspect, or can only conduct a comprehensive inspection on. This might be because of limited access, the level of complexity or specialised tools and equipment required. We will always advise you where this might occur before conducting an inspection and will explain why.

• Click here for more information on comprehensive vehicle inspections

To arrange a pre-purchase vehicle inspection:

• Click here to enquire online or
• call us on 13 RACV (13 72 28)

When you request a pre-purchase vehicle inspection you will need to have the following details:

• the address where the vehicle to be inspected will be located
• the make, model and year of manufacture of the vehicle
• the name and contact number of the seller of the vehicle
• any modifications that have been made to the vehicle

The vehicle inspection is based on a visual external examination of components only. Components are not dismantled to examine internal parts. Some vehicle faults can be diagnosed only by dismantling the engine or are intermittent in operation and not evident from an external examination at the time of inspection.