Used car pre-purchase inspections

A pre-purchase car inspection is an inspection done by a technician to determine the condition of a vehicle before purchase. It is advised to do a used car inspection to gather information on the car's current condition (damage, maintenance, safety) to determine whether a purchase is a good investment. The ClickMechanic pre-purchase inspection checklist focuses on physical inspections and does not include any vehicle history checks on the vehicle (i.e. whether the car has been recorded in an accident, reported stolen or has any outstanding balances on it), however you can easily purchase these elsewhere online.

We offer three different levels of used car inspections with our premium pre-purchase inspection being the most comprehensive and detailed service.

A premium pre-purchase inspection includes:

• 143-point mechanical and visual structural inspection (including inspection of the fuel system, exhaust system, vehicle underside condition, clutch and transmission checks, brake hydraulics, front and rear suspension checks, water pump operation)
• Road test
• Vehicle report emailed to you
• Full interior, bodywork and paint inspection
• Free phone consultation with the mechanic afterwards
• Vehicle raised to conduct more thorough inspections
• Plug-in diagnostic check
• Photos included in the report

A standard pre-purchase inspection includes:

• 105-point mechanical and visual structural inspection (including checks on fluid levels, front and rear brake disks/pads, electrical controls, tyres)
• Road test
• Bodywork inspection
• Vehicle report emailed to you
• Free phone consultation with the mechanic afterwards

A basic pre-purchase inspection includes:

• 72-point mechanical and visual structural inspection
• Basic checks on interior and electric controls, cleanliness of engine bay and tyres
• Road test
• Emailed inspection report

All our inspection checklists include a road test to examine the condition of important features such as the steering and braking, and give a clear idea as to whether a vehicle is roadworthy.

A Premium pre-purchase inspection typically takes between two and three hours, depending on the vehicle and its condition. The Standard and Basic used car inspections usually take between one and two hours.

You do not necessarily have to be present for the inspection, as your mechanic will send you a full report afterwards (including photos with the Premium inspection). If you opt for a Basic pre-purchase inspection, you may want to choose to be present for a visual check of the car, as photos are not included in the report.

You will receive the inspection report via email, once your mechanic has completed your used car check. The report is usually sent as soon as the inspection is complete. The report will be attached to your booking receipt, and is also available at any time by logging into your ClickMechanic account.

A pre purchase car inspection is often worth it because it can give you peace of mind when buying a used car, especially when you're not able to view or test it yourself. An inspection can reveal any major issues with the car that could potentially cause problems down the road.

Most vehicles can be inspected - just enter the registration number of the vehicle you are looking to purchase and the postcode where it is located to find out more details. We are unable to inspect vehicles written off by insurance, motor homes over 7.5t or imported vehicles.