Pre-purchase inspection cost in Sydney (2026 benchmark)
What you should expect to pay for a real PPI in 2026, what the cheap options leave out, and when paying $349 saves you $3,490.
Inspection pricing is one of the most opaque corners of the used-car market. Quotes range from $89 to $499 in Sydney — and the gap usually represents real differences in what gets done, not just brand markup. Here's what's normal in 2026.
Sydney market rate, 2026
| Service | Typical price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Standard PPI | $199-$249 | 150-point checklist, photo report, road test, written summary. |
| Mobile Premium PPI + diagnostics | $329-$399 | Above + full ECU scan, fuel trim, misfire counters, DPF data. |
| Mobile PPI + EV battery test | $449-$549 | Above + 30-min state-of-health test (AVILOO or equivalent). |
| Luxury / European PPI | $349-$449 | Above + air suspension, adaptive damper, hidden module checks. |
| Workshop PPI with hoist | $199-$279 | Above + on-hoist underbody; you take the car in. |
What the $99 'inspection' actually buys you
Roughly: someone visually walks around the car for 20-30 minutes, lifts the bonnet, takes 8-12 photos, and emails you a one-page checklist with pen ticks. No diagnostics scan. No road test (or a five-minute one). No undercarriage on a hoist. No paint depth gauge. No mm measurement of brakes. We've re-inspected dozens of these 'cleared' cars and found majors every time.
Why mobile costs slightly more than workshop
Mobile inspectors carry the same diagnostic and measurement gear into your driveway. Add the time to travel, set up, and pack down at every job and the daily throughput is lower — typically 3-4 jobs vs 6-7 in a fixed workshop. The premium is around $40-$70 and most buyers pay it gladly because they save a half-day juggling logistics with the seller.
Common questions
Are inspections tax-deductible?
If the vehicle will be used for business, generally yes — the inspection is a business expense. Check with your accountant; we provide a tax invoice with every job.
Do I pay if you find a deal-breaker in the first 10 minutes?
Yes — we did the work and saved you the bigger loss. But we always offer the option to stop the inspection there, with no charge for the remaining time, and you only pay our standard 'call-out' fee of $99 in that case.
Lock in your inspection
Book a mobile pre-purchase inspection at the seller's address. Same-day slots across Sydney from $249, with a money-back guarantee.
Mobile inspections near you