RACV vehicle inspections

Thinking of buying a car, or near a warranty expiry? RACV can help you decide with a qualified vehicle check.

Book an inspection

  • Types of RACV vehicle inspections

    1. Pre-purchase inspections
    Buy a car with peace of mind. This inspection is based on a visual external examination of components. It will help you make an informed decision before purchasing a vehicle.

    2. Comprehensive inspection
    Get your vehicle checked before your warranty expires. This inspection is based on a visual external examination of components and includes a more detailed inspection of brake components. 

  1. Book an inspection

    Choose from more than 50 RACV accredited auto care centres across Victoria. 

  2. Qualified mechanics check your vehicle 

    Our experts check the overall condition of your vehicle based on a visual examination

     

  3. You get a report with clear advice

    Our handy ‘traffic light guide’ helps you decide what to do. The ultimate decision is yours.

  • What we look for

    Through the visual examination of external components, our experts flag each area as:

    • Immediate - an area that needs to be fixed immediately
    • Early - an area that will need attention early
    • Observation - an observation only, no immediate or early attention required.

  • Understanding the report

    Your easy to understand report includes a ‘traffic light guide’ to help you decide whether to buy the vehicle.

    • Stop - the vehicle needs repairs that could make buying it costly.
    • Caution - after getting these repairs the vehicle should perform well, but you should weigh up the cost of the repairs first.
    • Go - Any reported items should be covered by routine service, adjustment or replacements, but you should still consider these in your decision.

*Exclusive to RACV Members

RACV Members receive a 30-day mechanical guarantee on all vehicle inspections. If a mechanical fault is found within 30 days that was not identified on the inspection report, you will receive a reimbursement towards the cost of the repair. This guarantee does not apply to our Complimentary Car Maintenance Check which is an external examination of the vehicle.

Important information about the mechanical guarantee

The guarantee is subject to the following conditions:

  • This guarantee is only available to current RACV members.
  • The member must contact the RACV Accredited Auto Care Centre where the inspection was completed (the “Inspecting AACC”) prior to having any repair work carried out.
  • Repairs must be authorised by the Inspecting AACC, or RACV, prior to work being undertaken.
  • All repairs are to be conducted at an approved RACV Accredited Auto Care Centre (the “Repairer”). The Repairer may be the Inspecting AACC (at the member’s discretion)
  • The member must have the vehicle repaired within 30-days of approving the repairs.
  • The member must pay the Repairer for the full cost of repairs and submit the statement of work and paid invoice to the Inspecting AACC. The Inspecting AACC, upon checking the statement of work and invoice, will reimburse the member for the cost of repair up to the value of $1000 for pre-purchase inspections and $2000 for comprehensive inspections.
  • The mechanical fault must occur within 30-days from the date of the inspection (“the guarantee period”).
  • All claims under the guarantee must be notified to the Inspecting AACC or the RACV Motoring Advisory Line within seven days of the expiry of the guarantee period. Claims notified more than seven days after the expiry date of the guarantee period will not be accepted.
  • The member can make claims under the guarantee up to the limit of the mechanical guarantee ($1000 for pre-purchase inspections and $2000 for comprehensive inspections).
  • The guarantee excludes any items repaired after the inspection; consumables (such as engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, tyres, lighting and batteries); pre-existing faults identified as Observation, Early, Immediate, or Warranty in the inspection report; any item covered under a valid dealer statutory warranty; and any non-mechanical items including body work.

For the avoidance of doubt, the 30-day mechanical guarantee on vehicle inspections does not apply to a Complimentary Car Maintenance Check.

Browse by region

These centres provide RACV Vehicle Inspections but they are not part of the RACV Accredited Auto Care Centre program.

Ballarat

  • Castlemaine: Central Automotive Repairs
    1 Fitzgerald Ct
    Phone: (03) 5472 4333
  • Kyneton: Skipdon Motors
    2 Mollison Place
    Phone: (03) 5422 2389

Gippsland

  • Bairnsdale: G P Motors
    519 Princes Hwy
    Phone: (03) 5152 4191
  • Mirboo North: Ken Graeme Motors
    42 Burchell Lane
    Phone: (03) 5668 1360
  • Morwell: J Smith Motors
    12-16 Elizabeth St
    Phone: (03) 5134 3333
  • Sale: Gippsland Gas & Automotive
    20 Bond St
    Phone: (03) 5144 3043

Great Ocean Road

  • Colac: Monteith Auto Service
    5 Murray St
    Phone: (03) 5231 4509
  • Hamilton: Mt Napier Rd Motors
    11 Mt Napier Rd
    Phone: (03) 5572 1487

Mornington Peninsula

  • Dromana: BRM Motors
    10 Brasser Ave
    Phone: (03) 5981 0500
  • Rye: Rye Motors
    52 Peninsula Ave
    Phone: (03) 5985 6667

Murray region

  • Swan Hill: Complete Services & Auto Repairs
    108 Beveridge St
    Phone: (03) 5033 1778

Phillip Island

  • Cowes: Total Car Care Centre
    140 Thompson Ave
    Phone: (03) 5952 2059