For many of us, myself included, there’s little chance of being considered a guru when it comes to anything automotive, least of all what to look for when going to purchase a car, or any other type of vehicle for that matter. That was until I ended up buying an absolute dud the first time I purchased a from a private seller, while I’d previously bought reliably from car dealers or family members.
Safe to say, the value of a pre-purchase inspection can’t be understated, and to be honest, that goes for whomever you might be buying your vehicle from. While they might present a bit of an additional cost upfront, in most cases you’ll find it’s money-well-spent no matter the outcome, as long as you’re seriously considering the buy.
So, what exactly is a pre-purchase inspection (PPI)?
Pre-purchase inspections give you a full overview and assurance about a vehicle’s condition.
It’s carried out by a qualified mechanic or inspector, who assesses the vehicle and takes note of any issues that may be present in the cars mechanical, electrical or cosmetic profile of the motor vehicle. It’s delivered to you in a summary report.
The pre-purchase inspection report is not a recommendation per se, but just a document which gives you an objective overview of the vehicle’s condition. It is, and will always be, your choice!
Why are pre-purchase inspections so important?
Car salespeople have, unfortunately, become synonymous with less than transparent warranties about the condition of a car. That aside, even if you’re lucky enough to be dealing with a stand up type, getting an expert to look at the vehicle is going to give you peace of mind.
Buying a car costs a fair whack, and you don’t want to be caught downstream with more service or repair costs because of faults or defects from the previous owners that you didn’t pick up on. Remember, there generally aren’t any extended warranties when you purchase a car privately. It also gives you the opportunity to work on negotiating the best price for the vehicle, knowing you have full knowledge and understanding of its profile.
How and where can I organise a pre-purchase inspection?
Many of the MyAutoShop mechanics and workshops offer mobile mechanics to help get your pre-purchase inspection sorted. You can get started here. In some cases, you may need to organise to get your car to the garage if there isn’t a mobile mechanic available to have the vehicle inspected.
What’s included in a pre-purchase inspection?
In most cases, you can expect a pretty thorough report on the vehicle you’re interested in buying. Details will, however, differ between the different service providers, so if there’s anything you’re particularly interested in knowing, ensure it’s included before you press play. You should also seriously consider asking for a test drive for any vehicle to get a sense of how it drives. Here’s a list of the things you can expect to get an idea about from a pre-purchase inspection:
- Air conditioning and heating
- Brake system
- Dashboard and instrument cluster
- Doors and locks
- Drive shafts
- Exhaust
- Fluids
- Glass and mirrors
- Ignition, fuel, and cooling system
- Lighting systems
- Road test
- Seats, seat belts and interior trim
- Steering components
- Subframe
- Suspension
- Transmission and engine
- Underbody
- Wheel bearings
- Wheels and tyres
- Windscreen wipers and washers
What’s excluded that I should also think about?
All pre-purchase inspections exclude items like car stereos, LPG systems, converters, satellite navigation systems and so forth. Check with your mechanic about these items if they’re important for you to be clear on. A pre-purchase inspect is also strictly mechanic, so we recommend also getting a PPSR motor vehicle report to give you an overview of the legal history of the car, including any money owing.