Important limits
What is not included in the report.
Pre-purchase inspections are visual, non-invasive assessments. The items below sit outside the scope of our Essential, Comprehensive and Elite reports.
Comprehensive & Elite inspections
- Brake function and lining material, brake drums, are limited to what is immediately visible
- Brake pads and discs
- Evidence of brake fluid contamination/hydraulic fluid
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) mechanics
- Meters indicating oil and fuel consumption or the degree of oil and fuel consumption
- Reason for oil leaks
- Oil pump strainer to assess sludge buildup
- Wheel cylinders
- Hybrid/electric car batteries (start-up/accessory battery is checked if accessible)
- Vehicle electrics and electronics
- Transmission mechanics
- Engine cylinder compression
- Spark Plugs
- Engine/motor mountings
- Water pump/fan
- Body water leaks or the reason for the leaks
- Odometer and camshaft belt, drive belt and timing belt
- Fuel/charging flap release
- Estimated expiry of exhaust system, clutch, dual mass flywheels
- Standard to which repairs or service history have been completed
- Functionality of audio-visual or entertainment system, including CD, Cassette, TV, DVD, iPod connectivity, sensors, alarm/security devices, satellite navigation systems/GPS
- Degree of gas emissions
- Catalytic converters
- Additional accessories included as a result of the owner's modifications
- Mechanical switching of wipers and lights
- Horn
- LPG systems
- Air conditioning efficiency
- Rear windscreen heater demister
- Age of tyres
- Vehicle's computer systems, such as trip meter computers, cruise control and any other computer systems
- Technical systems
- Driver assistance technologies (e.g. lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance systems)
Essential inspection
- Brake function and lining material, brake drums, are limited to what is observed during the test drive
- Brake pads and discs
- Evidence of brake fluid contamination/hydraulic fluid
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) mechanics
- Meters indicating oil and fuel consumption or the degree of oil and fuel consumption
- Reason for oil leaks
- Oil pump strainer to assess sludge buildup
- Wheel cylinders
- Hybrid/electric car batteries (start-up battery charge test is conducted, not a general health test)
- Vehicle electrics and electronics
- Transmission mechanics and performance
- Engine cylinder compression
- Engine/motor mountings
- Hoses, pipes & associated mountings
- Water pump/fan
- Body water leaks or reason for leaks
- Odometer and camshaft belt, drive belt and timing belt
- Drive shafts
- Fuel/charging flap release
- Estimated expiry of exhaust system, clutch, dual mass flywheels
- Standard to which repairs or service history have been completed
- Functionality of audio-visual or entertainment system including CD, Cassette, TV, DVD, iPod connectivity, sensors, alarm/security devices, satellite navigation systems/GPS
- Degree of gas emissions
- Catalytic converters
- Additional accessories included as a result of owner's modifications
- Mechanical switching of wipers and lights
- Horn
- LPG systems
- Air conditioning and efficiency
- Vehicle's computer systems, such as trip meter computers, cruise control and any other computer systems
- Speedometer functionality
- Technical systems
- Driver assistance technologies (e.g. lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance systems)
- Exterior condition of vehicle including glass and mirrors, body repairs, body and paint condition, sunroof, aerial, convertible roof and accident damage
- Doors, locks & hinges
- Differential and transmission
- Steering components
- Interior condition (interior trims, interior lights, radio/infotainment operation, air conditioning/ heating and cooling/front and rear windscreen heater demister)
- Radio operation
- Brake hoses, callipers, pipes
- Wheel bearing
- Ignition system
- Master cylinder/ABS/brake booster
- Fuel/charging system
- Exhaust and exhaust system
- 4wd/AWD operation
- Age of tyres
- Window and window operation
- Washers and Wipers
- carsales' Vehicle History Report (however, this can be purchased as an additional option)
- Walkthroughs videos
- Post-inspection phone call with the inspector