Service · Used Car Buyers
Pre-Purchase Car Inspections in Dandenong
A pre-purchase car inspection is an independent mechanic's check of a used car's condition before you pay for it. Bring the car you're looking at to our workshop at 5 Quinn Street, Dandenong, and we'll check the engine, gearbox, brakes, suspension, body and stored fault codes, then talk you through what we found.
Who It's For
A second opinion before you buy a used car.
A private sale doesn't come with the statutory warranty a licensed dealer may have to give, so an independent check matters most when you're buying privately in Dandenong, Noble Park, Springvale, Berwick, Cranbourne or nearby. It's just as useful for a dealer car. A freshly detailed car can still hide a tired gearbox or old accident damage. A car inspection before buying lets you find out while you can still walk away.
Looking at a car in the area and need a quick check? Call 03 8774 5785 and we'll do our best to fit you in.
What We Look At
What our used car inspection covers
We adjust our focus to the make, age and kilometres, but these are the areas we usually look at during a used car inspection in Dandenong.
Engine
We listen for unusual noises, check for smoke on start-up and look for oil leaks and worn belts, hoses and mounts.
Transmission
We check how the gearbox shifts and listen for clunks or whines. Our engine and transmission team handles repairs if needed.
Cooling system
We check coolant condition, the radiator and hoses, and look for signs of past overheating.
Brakes
We look at pads, rotors, brake lines and fluid, and check how evenly the car pulls up. Our brake and suspension team can quote any work.
Suspension and steering
We check for worn bushes, ball joints and shock absorbers, play in the steering and uneven ride height.
Tyres
We check tread depth, sidewall damage, tyre age and uneven wear that can point to alignment problems.
Body, accident repairs and rust
We look for uneven panel gaps, mismatched paint and overspray from past repairs, and check the sills, floor pans and wheel arches for rust. Our smash repairs team can quote any panel work.
Fluids
We check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and, where possible, transmission and power steering fluid.
Warning lights and fault codes
We check the dash for warning lights and scan the car's computer for stored fault codes, which can reveal problems that were cleared but never fixed.
Test drive
If the seller permits it, a road test shows how the car actually drives.
Our workshop has hydraulic hoists, so the underbody, brake lines, sills and floor pans can be checked properly. Afterwards we talk you through what we found and which items could be expensive, so you can negotiate on price, ask the seller to fix something first, or walk away.
How Booking Works
Booking a pre-purchase inspection
1. Book a time
Book online or call 03 8774 5785. Let us know it's a pre-purchase inspection and tell us the make and model.
2. Bring the car in
The car comes to our workshop at 5 Quinn Street, Dandenong VIC 3175. You or the seller can drive it in.
3. Talk through the results
We go over what we found with you. We're open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM by appointment.
“Great guy! I was inspecting a car in the area and he accommodated a last minute check up.”
— Google review
European Cars
Buying a used BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi or Volkswagen?
European cars reward a close look at the service records and the electronics. Bring whatever history the seller has, and we'll scan for stored fault codes, check for oil leaks and see how the transmission shifts. If you buy, our BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen pages explain how we service each make.
Inspection vs Roadworthy
How it differs from a roadworthy certificate
A roadworthy certificate is a minimum safety standard needed to transfer registration in Victoria. RWCs are issued by licensed vehicle testers and cover items such as steering, brakes, tyres, lights and structure. An RWC won't tell you how healthy the engine is, how the transmission is wearing or whether the car has had accident repairs.
A pre-purchase inspection looks at the car's overall condition, so it's worth booking even when the seller supplies an RWC. Read more about our roadworthy (RWC) service. Selling instead? Our roadworthy checklist before listing explains what to sort out first.
Before You Inspect
Tips for your car inspection before buying
Ask for the service history
Logbook stamps and receipts show how the car was looked after. If you buy, keep it on schedule with a logbook service.
Run a PPSR check yourself
Search the car's VIN on the PPSR website to see if there's money owing on it or if it's been recorded as written off or stolen.
See it start cold
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first. A cold start can reveal noises and smoke that fade once the engine warms.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pre purchase car inspection?
An independent check of a used car's mechanical and physical condition before you buy, carried out by a mechanic with no stake in the sale.
Is a pre-purchase inspection the same as a roadworthy certificate?
No. A roadworthy certificate (RWC) is a minimum safety standard for transferring registration in Victoria, issued by a licensed vehicle tester. A pre-purchase inspection looks at the wider condition of the car, including the engine, transmission and signs of accident repairs.
How much does a pre-purchase inspection cost?
Call us on 03 8774 5785 with the make and model of the car you're looking at and we can talk it through with you.
Can you inspect the car at the seller's house?
We carry out inspections at our workshop at 5 Quinn Street, Dandenong. Ask the seller to bring the car in, or arrange to drive it over together.
Should I still run a PPSR check?
Yes. The inspection covers the car's condition, while a PPSR search shows money owing and written-off or stolen records. You can run it yourself at ppsr.gov.au using the VIN.
What does a pre-purchase inspection include?
We look at the engine, transmission, cooling system, brakes, suspension and steering, tyres, body and rust, fluids and stored fault codes, plus a road test if the seller allows it.
What happens if the inspection finds problems?
We tell you which items need attention now and which could be expensive later, so you can negotiate on price, ask the seller to fix them before you buy, or walk away. If you buy the car, we can quote the repairs, and we confirm the price before any work starts.
The seller doesn't have a roadworthy certificate. Does that matter?
For a registered car in Victoria the seller normally supplies the RWC. If a car is sold unregistered, you'll need an RWC before you can register it, so an inspection helps you see what it may need first. We can arrange the RWC with a licensed vehicle tester.
Is this the same as a RedBook Inspect report?
No. RedBook Inspect is a separate national company that sends mobile inspectors to the car. We're an independent workshop in Dandenong, so the car comes to us at 5 Quinn Street. Both are pre-purchase inspections, so choose whichever suits where the car is.
Found a car you like?
Have it inspected before you buy.
5 Quinn Street, Dandenong VIC 3175. Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Saturday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM by appointment). Rated 4.6 from 87 Google reviews.
Book an Inspection Call 03 8774 5785