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Sydney's Most Trusted Service

Pre-Purchase Car
Inspection (PPI)

An independent mechanical assessment of any used car — before you hand over a single dollar. The smartest $280 you'll ever spend.

⭐ From $280 · Same-Day Report · Mobile Service Available
Book an Inspection → What Is a PPI?

Your Protection Before You Buy Any Used Car

A Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) is a comprehensive independent assessment of a used vehicle, carried out by a qualified mechanic on your behalf — before you commit to buying.

Unlike a Pink Slip (roadworthy certificate), which only checks if a car meets minimum legal requirements to drive on the road, a PPI is designed specifically to protect the buyer. It checks everything a seller would want to hide.

The mechanic travels to the seller's location (or you bring the car to them), spends 60–90 minutes inspecting all major systems, scans for electronic fault codes, test drives the vehicle, and delivers a full written report — usually on the same day.

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Pro Tip: A Pink Slip is NOT a pre-purchase inspection. A car can legally pass a roadworthy check while having a failing engine, transmission issues, or hidden flood damage. Always get a PPI separately.
Inspections from
$280
Price based on car type & location
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Mobile Service Same-Day Report Independent No Seller Influence

100+ Point Inspection Checklist

Every pre-purchase inspection covers these critical systems. Nothing is skipped, nothing is rushed.

Engine condition — oil leaks, smoke, compression

Transmission — auto/manual shift quality, slipping

Brakes — pad depth, rotor condition, fluid level

Suspension & steering — bushings, shocks, tie rods

OBD diagnostic scan — all stored fault codes

Tyres — tread depth, sidewall, uneven wear patterns

Electrical — lights, windows, A/C, battery, alternator

Cooling system — thermostat, hoses, radiator condition

Body & paint — panel gaps, paint mismatch, rust

Accident & flood damage assessment

VIN verification — matches all plates and documents

WOVR check — Written Off Vehicle Register

Finance & encumbrance — PPSR check

Test drive — performance, noise, pull, vibration

How a PPI Works, Step by Step

Simple to book. Thorough in execution. Fast in delivery.

1
Find a car you're interested in

Browse Facebook Marketplace, Carsales, Gumtree, or a dealership. Shortlist the car but do NOT pay yet. Ask the seller for the VIN to run a basic PPSR check first.

2
Book an independent mechanic

Contact one of our trusted providers (below). Give them the seller's address and a time that suits both parties. You don't need to be present — they handle everything.

3
Mechanic inspects the car

The mechanic travels to the seller, spends 60–90 minutes on a full inspection, scans fault codes, test drives, and takes photos of any issues found.

4
Receive your report & decide

You receive a full written report — usually same day. Use it to negotiate a lower price, request repairs, or walk away with confidence if the car fails.

Car Passes — Buy with Confidence

If the report shows no major issues, you can complete the purchase knowing exactly what you're getting. Peace of mind is priceless.

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Issues Found — Negotiate Down

Use the report to ask for a price reduction. Most buyers save $500–$3,000 off the asking price by presenting documented faults to the seller.

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Major Problems — Walk Away

If the report reveals serious structural, mechanical or safety issues, you've saved yourself from a potentially catastrophic financial mistake.

Trusted Sydney Inspection Providers

These are independent, professional pre-purchase inspection services operating across Sydney. Each is buyer-engaged — never connected to sellers.

PPI Frequently Asked Questions

No. The mechanic travels to the seller's location and conducts the inspection independently. You don't need to take time off work or travel. The full report with photos is emailed to you, usually on the same day.
A thorough pre-purchase inspection takes approximately 60–90 minutes on-site. Reports are typically delivered within a few hours of the inspection being completed. Many providers offer same-day reporting.
Absolutely — and this is one of the biggest benefits. If faults are identified, present the report to the seller and request a price reduction. Buyers commonly negotiate $500–$3,000 off the asking price using inspection reports. If the seller refuses to negotiate despite documented faults, that tells you something important too.
No. A Pink Slip (e-Safety Check in NSW) only confirms the car meets the minimum legal requirements to be driven on public roads. A PPI is far more comprehensive and designed to protect the buyer. A car can pass a roadworthy check while having serious mechanical faults not legally required to be disclosed.
Walk away. A genuine seller with a good car has nothing to fear from an independent mechanic. Any seller who refuses an independent inspection is almost certainly hiding something. This is one of the biggest red flags in used car buying — do not let urgency or a "good deal" override this instinct.
Yes. You book the inspection online, provide the seller's Sydney address and an agreed time, and the mechanic handles everything. The full report and photos are sent to you digitally. This service is commonly used by buyers in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and overseas. See our Interstate Inspection page for more detail.

Ready to Inspect Before You Buy?

Don't risk thousands on a car you haven't had properly checked. Book an independent mechanic today — reports delivered same day.

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