Where to book a vehicle Pre-purchase Inspection?
You’ve found an awesome new car on Trade Me Woohoo! But it’s in Auckland but you live in Hamilton. Doh! And you’re not really sure what condition it is in mechanically. Uh Oh! Now what?
Fortunately, a Pre-purchase Inspection is exactly what you’re looking for. To get peace of mind that the brakes & suspension work, the engine doesn’t have any oil leaks and there aren’t any hidden electrical faults among other things, before you buy the car.
Today we’re going to quickly compare a few different options of providers you can use to help with your purchase:
My Auto Shop Inspection
Pro’s:
- Quick online booking
- Cheapest base report
- Send an inspector straight to the car
- Customise your report by adding extras
Con’s:
- Only available in Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch
- Digital reports only
- Remote inspections only
Book a My Auto Shop Inspection here
AA Inspection
Pro’s:
- Long established brand
- On site inspections available
Cons:
- More expensive for base report $209 (non-members)
- Often longer wait time
- Fixed inspection report
VTNZ Inspection
Pro’s:
- Long established brand
- Independent inspection business and doesn’t complete repairs.
Cons:
- On site only.
- More expensive for report $199
- Long wait time and narrow time slot each day
- Fixed inspection report
Local Workshop Inspection
Pro’s:
- Your local mechanic that you trust
- Can pop the car on a hoist quickly
Con’s:
- Must take your vehicle to the shop
- Inconsistent report, often not written
- Varying cost by workshop
- Not all workshops will offer a PPI due to perceived liability
Dealership Selling the Car
Pro’s:
- Don’t need to organise any logistics
- Usually no charge
- Typically covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act.
Con’s:
- Bias. The dealer is incentivized to say the car is good
- Usually they won’t have experienced inspectors on site
Your Dad or Uncle
Pro’s:
- Hopefully free!
- You trust them closely.
Con’s:
- They’re generally not a qualified mechanic.
- They don’t look at many cars and don’t have a depth of experience.
- Might be tricky to pin down on the day you want.
Summary:
Most options will give you some further insight into the mechanical condition of the car, but if you’re looking for a fast, easier service, and are keen to keep some money in your pocket, or to customise what aspects of the vehicle you want investigated, then the My Auto Shop Pre-purchase Inspection is the best choice.