What's not checked in a pre-purchase inspection?

Excluded items for car inspections which relate to ‘Standard’ and ‘Ultimate’ inspections

• Brake function and lining material, brake drums, limited to what is immediately visible
• Brake pads and discs
• Evidence of brake fluid contamination/hydraulic fluid
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) mechanics
• Meters indicating oil and fuel consumption or the degree of oil and fuel consumption
• Reason for oil leaks
• Oil pump strainer to assess sludge build up
• Wheel cylinders
• Hybrid/electric car batteries (start-up/accessory battery is checked if accessible)
• Vehicle electrics and electronics
• Transmission mechanics
• Engine cylinder compression
• Engine/motor mountings
• Water pump/fan
• Body water leaks or reason for leaks
• Odometer and camshaft belt, drive belt and timing belt
• Fuel/charging flap release
• Estimated expiry of exhaust system, clutch, dual mass flywheels
• Standard to which repairs or service history have been completed
• Functionality of audio-visual or entertainment system including CD, Cassette, TV, DVD, iPod connectivity, sensors, alarm/security devices, satellite navigation systems/GPS
• Degree of gas emissions
• Catalytic converters
• Additional accessories included as a result of owner’s modifications
• Mechanical switching of wipers and lights
• LPG systems
• Air conditioning efficiency
• Rear windscreen heater demister
• Status of habitation areas of motorhomes or caravans
• Age of tyres
• Vehicle's computer systems, such as trip meter computers, cruise control and any other computer systems
• Technical systems
• Driver assistance technologies (e.g. lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance systems)

 Excluded items for car inspections which relate to 'Standard' inspections only

1. • Priority 36 hr turnaround (however this is not always guaranteed for 'Ultimate' inspections as it relies on the availability of the vehicle owner)
   • Walkthrough videos
   • 5-10 km test drive (all 'Standard' inspections receive a 3-5 km test drive only)

Excluded items for car inspections which relate to 'Lite' inspections

• Brake function and lining material, brake drums, limited to what is observed during the test drive
• Brake pads and discs
• Evidence of brake fluid contamination/hydraulic fluid
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) mechanics
• Meters indicating oil and fuel consumption or the degree of oil and fuel consumption
• Reason for oil leaks
• Oil pump strainer to assess sludge build up
• Wheel cylinders
• Hybrid/electric car batteries (start-up battery charge test is conducted, not a general health test)
• Vehicle electrics and electronics
• Transmission mechanics and performance
• Engine cylinder compression
• Engine/motor mountings
• Hoses, pipes & associated mountings
• Water pump/fan
• Body water leaks or reason for leaks
• Odometer and camshaft belt, drive belt and timing belt
• Drive shafts
• Fuel/charging flap release
• Estimated expiry of exhaust system, clutch, dual mass flywheels
• Standard to which repairs or service history have been completed
• Functionality of audio-visual or entertainment system including CD, Cassette, TV, DVD, iPod connectivity, sensors, alarm/security devices, satellite navigation systems/GPS
• Degree of gas emissions
• Catalytic converters
• Additional accessories included as a result of owner’s modifications
• Mechanical switching of wipers and lights
• LPG systems
• Air conditioning and efficiency
• Vehicle’s computer systems, such as trip meter computers, cruise control and any other computer systems
• Speedometer functionality
• Technical systems
• Driver assistance technologies (e.g. lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance systems)
• Exterior condition of vehicle including glass and mirrors, body repairs, body and paint condition, sunroof, aerial, convertible roof and accident damage
• Doors, locks & hinges
• Differential and transmission
• Steering components
• Interior condition (interior trims, interior lights, radio/infotainment operation, air conditioning/ heating and cooling/front and rear windscreen heater demister)
• Radio operation
• Brake hoses, calipers, pipes
• Brake pads and discs
• Wheel bearing
• Ignition system
• Master cylinder/ABS/brake booster
• Fuel/charging system
• Water pump
• Exhaust and exhaust system
• 4wd/AWD operation
• Age of tyres
• Window and window operation
• Washers and Wipers
• carsales' Vehicle History Report (however this can be purchased as an additional option)
• Priority 36 hr turnaround (however this is not always guaranteed for ’Ultimate’ inspections as it relies on the availability of the vehicle owner)
• Walkthroughs videos
• Test drive for a distance greater than 3kms (all ‘Lite’ inspections receive a 2-3 km test drive only).
• Post inspection phone call with inspector