How to Read a Pre Purchase Inspection Report

Your inspection report just landed in your inbox. It's 24 pages. You have 30 minutes to make a $35,000 decision. Here's how to read it like an inspector.

Start at the summary, not the photos

Every well-written report opens with a one-page summary. Read it twice before clicking any photo. You're looking for four things:

1.Overall recommendation (Buy / Negotiate / Walk Away)
2.Critical/Major defect count
3.Estimated 12-month repair budget
4.Inspector's free-text comments — the part the algorithm can't write

Severity codes — the colours that matter

Code	What it means	Typical action
🔴 Critical	Safety or roadworthy fail.	Walk or full pre-purchase repair.
🟠 Major	≥$500 fix needed within 12 months.	Get a quote, negotiate.
🟡 Minor	Cosmetic or low-cost maintenance.	Note for budget.
🔵 Advisory	Approaching service interval.	Plan 6-12 months ahead.

The four numbers to find in every report

Brake pad % or mm remaining (4 mm or less = replace soon)
Tyre tread mm per corner (3 mm or less = replace)
Battery state-of-health % (below 60 = on borrowed time)
DPF soot/ash load % for diesels (above 60% = forced regen overdue)

Common questions

How long until I get my report?

Most modern inspectors deliver within 4 hours. Instant on-site is standard for Comprehensive & Elite; same-day is standard for Essential. Next-day is unusual and worth questioning.

Can I get a verbal call before the report?

Yes — we phone every buyer within 15 minutes of completing the inspection with a verbal headline, then the written report follows. Most buyers find that's enough to decide.

Lock in your inspection

Book a mobile pre-purchase inspection at the seller's address. Same-day slots across Sydney from $199, with a written repair cover on Elite (30 days / up to $3,000).

Book an inspection 02 8320 1246

How to read a pre-purchase inspection report