Question 1

How much does a pre-purchase inspection cost?

Accepted Answer

Standard Car PPI $220 (most cars under $30k). Premium Car PPI $349 (luxury, performance, modified, $30k+). Light Truck (≤4.5t GVM) PPI $329. NSW Pink Slip $99. Optional add-ons: EV / Hybrid Battery Test $149 (works on fully electric and hybrid vehicles) and PPSR $39. All prices include GST and the full photo report. No per-vehicle-age surcharges, no per-photo fees, no booking fees.

Question 2

How do I book?

Accepted Answer

Use the booking page, pick your service, suburb and time slot. Booking takes about 90 seconds. Payment is captured at booking via Stripe — that's how we hold the slot for you. You'll get an immediate confirmation by email and SMS.

Question 3

Can I book a same-day inspection?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. We hold same-day slots open across most of Sydney until 9am that morning. After 9am, availability depends on inspector location — call us on 02 8320 1246 and we'll usually find a way.

Question 4

How do I pay?

Accepted Answer

Card payment at booking, secured by Stripe (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay). We don't take cash and we don't invoice after the fact — the slot only confirms once payment is captured. A tax invoice is emailed automatically.

Question 5

Can I get a refund or reschedule?

Accepted Answer

Free reschedule any time up to 12 hours before your slot. Cancellations more than 24 hours out are refunded in full. Less than 24 hours: 50% refund. No-shows or cancellations after the inspector arrives are non-refundable — we've already paid the inspector for their time.

Question 6

Are there any hidden fees?

Accepted Answer

No. The price you see is the price you pay. We do not charge any surcharge at all. No hidden fees. There are no after-hours fees, no urgent-booking fees, and no per-photo charges.

Question 7

Do you offer discounts for multiple inspections?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Two vehicles same visit: 15% off the second. Fleet buyers (3+ vehicles): contact us for a tailored rate. We do not pay referral fees to dealers — that would compromise independence.

Question 8

How long does an inspection take?

Accepted Answer

Standard car PPI: 60–90 minutes onsite. Add the EV / Hybrid Battery Test ($149) and budget another 30–45 minutes for the battery + HV system checks. Light Truck PPI: 90–120 minutes (load-bearing chassis + GVM checks). Your photo report lands the same day as the inspection.

Question 9

What's included in the report?

Accepted Answer

150+ checkpoints across exterior, interior, mechanical, drivetrain, brakes, suspension, electrical, and a road test. Every defect gets a severity rating (Pass / Monitor / Minor / Major / Safety), a photo, a plain-English explanation, and a Sydney-trade repair cost estimate. You also get a negotiation brief with a suggested offer and walk-away price. A PPSR check is available as a $39 add-on.

Question 10

Do you road test the vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Yes — every PPI includes a 10–15 minute road test covering cold start, idle quality, gearbox shift behaviour, engine load response, braking under load, suspension behaviour over bumps and a steady highway segment where conditions allow.

Question 11

Do you scan for diagnostic fault codes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We run an OBD-II scan on every PPI and a manufacturer-level scan on EVs and modern Euro vehicles. Stored codes, pending codes, and freeze-frame data are included in the report — including codes that have been cleared but left readiness flags incomplete (a common dealer trick).

Question 12

Will you put it on a hoist?

Accepted Answer

We don't carry a hoist — we're mobile. We use a low-profile trolley jack and axle stands to inspect underbody, suspension, exhaust, fuel lines, brake lines and chassis rails. If a vehicle needs full hoist access (rare), we'll tell you upfront and book a workshop slot.

Question 13

Do you check for accident damage and previous repairs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Paint depth gauge on every panel (factory paint reads 80–150μm; repainted panels read 200–400+μm). Panel gap measurement, weld inspection, underbody chassis-rail straightness check, and seam-sealer pattern verification. We flag every panel that's been off the car.

Question 14

Do I get the photos as well as the report?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every defect photo plus general condition photos (every panel, interior, engine bay, underbody, dash, odometer) are embedded in the report and downloadable individually. You own the photos — useful evidence if you need to dispute later.

Question 15

Do you do EV battery State of Health (SoH) testing?

Accepted Answer

Yes — add the EV / Hybrid Battery Test ($149) to any car inspection tier (Essential, Comprehensive or Elite). We use AVILOO-compatible flash testing to measure current battery State of Health, then project remaining usable range and forecast 10-year degradation against our model-specific curves (Tesla, BYD, MG, Polestar, Kia, Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes, plus hybrid packs from Toyota, Honda, Lexus). This is the single biggest hidden-cost risk on a used EV or hybrid.

Question 16

How accurate is the SoH test?

Accepted Answer

Flash SoH testing is accurate to ±2% in 90 minutes versus ±0.5% over a multi-day full-discharge test. For a used-car buying decision, ±2% is more than enough to spot a degraded battery, a swapped pack, or a misrepresented vehicle.

Question 17

What if the battery has degraded beyond expected?

Accepted Answer

We document the exact SoH percentage, compare it to model-year norms, and quote a replacement-pack price (current Sydney dealer + independent figures). That's negotiation leverage worth thousands — often the difference between a fair buy and a money pit.

Question 18

Do you check the charging system?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Onboard charger function (AC charging at 7kW+), DC fast-charge handshake test, charge port condition, CHAdeMO/CCS contact integrity, and 12V auxiliary battery health (a surprising number of EV no-starts are 12V failures, not HV battery failures).

Question 19

Can you inspect a Tesla?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We inspect Models 3, Y, S and X regularly. We pull the service history via the in-car menu, check Autopilot/FSD entitlement, battery SoH, drive-unit serial numbers (against recall lists), MCU/HW revision, and the full body-and-chassis check. Tesla salvage and rebuilt-title vehicles are flagged immediately.

Question 20

What's a pink slip?

Accepted Answer

A pink slip (officially an 'eSafety inspection') is the NSW rego renewal safety check required for vehicles 5+ years old. It checks roadworthy condition — brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, lights, body, structural. It's not a full PPI; it's a pass/fail safety test.

Question 21

Are you AIS-authorised to issue pink slips?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We're an AIS-authorised mobile pink slip provider. We come to your address, complete the 20–30 minute safety check, and upload the result direct to Transport for NSW. You don't touch a piece of paper.

Question 22

What does a pink slip cost?

Accepted Answer

$65 flat including GST. Re-inspection after a repair: $45. Pink slip + PPI combo same visit: $289 (saves $25). All prices are uploaded straight to TfNSW.

Question 23

What if my vehicle fails the pink slip?

Accepted Answer

You get a written defect notice listing exactly what needs fixing, with a price estimate. You have 14 days to repair and re-present (re-inspection is $45). We'll happily re-inspect at the workshop that did the repairs — saves you a second visit.

Question 24

Do you do blue slips?

Accepted Answer

Not yet. Blue slips (unregistered vehicle inspections) require workshop-bay equipment we don't carry mobile. We can refer you to trusted AUVIS stations in Sydney.

Question 25

Can you do a pink slip on a vehicle I just bought interstate?

Accepted Answer

If it has current NSW rego, yes. If it's coming in from interstate and needs re-registration, you need a blue slip (AUVIS) first — we'll point you to the nearest one.

Question 26

Where do you inspect?

Accepted Answer

All of Greater Sydney — your driveway, your workplace, or the seller's address. CBD, Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, North Shore, Hills District, Parramatta, Blacktown, Liverpool, Sutherland, Macarthur and the Central Coast as far as Gosford. We do not charge any travel surcharge at all.

Question 27

Do you go to Wollongong / Newcastle / Blue Mountains?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For Wollongong, Newcastle and the upper Blue Mountains we batch bookings on specific weekdays — call to check the next available date. No travel surcharges apply.

Question 28

What if the seller's address is in an apartment block carpark?

Accepted Answer

Not ideal but workable. We need at least 1m clearance around the vehicle and somewhere to safely test brakes (a quiet street nearby works). If the carpark is too tight, we'll ask the seller to move the car to street level — they almost always will.

Question 29

Do you inspect overnight or weekends?

Accepted Answer

Weekends yes (Saturday and Sunday, 7am–6pm slots). Overnight no — we need daylight for a proper paint and panel check.

Question 30

Can you inspect at a dealership?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We inspect at dealerships every day. We notify the dealer of our arrival window, present our AIS authorisation, and complete the inspection without needing the keys to leave their forecourt. If a dealer refuses an independent inspection, walk away — that itself is a finding.

Question 31

What if the dealer says they already have their own inspection?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline it. A dealer's own inspection (or a 'mate's report') has zero independence. Insist on your own PPI — any dealer worth buying from will say yes. The ones who refuse are exactly the ones you need an independent inspection on.

Question 32

Will the dealer let you road test?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we carry a NSW dealer-plate-eligible licence and full commercial insurance. We confirm road test access at booking time. If a dealer refuses (rare), we'll do a static load-and-rev plus engine/transmission diagnostic test in place of road test.

Question 33

Can I be there during the inspection?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely encouraged. The inspector will walk you through findings live where possible, and is happy to explain anything in plain English. If you can't make it, we'll call you the moment we're done to talk through the report.

Question 34

What if I'm interstate and buying remotely?

Accepted Answer

Common. We deal directly with the seller, complete the inspection, deliver the full digital report by email, and do a phone call walkthrough at your convenience. About 12% of our inspections are for interstate buyers.

Question 35

When will I get the report?

Accepted Answer

The same day the inspector finishes onsite, delivered by email and SMS. If you need it faster (e.g. dealer is pressuring you to sign), say so at booking and we'll expedite — most reports go out within 60 minutes.

Question 36

What if the inspection finds nothing wrong?

Accepted Answer

You still get the full report, the PPSR check, and a verbal walk-through. A clean inspection is worth the fee — you've paid to know with certainty. About 18% of our inspections come back clean. The other 82% find something the buyer used to negotiate down by an average of $1,840 (FY24 data).

Question 37

Will you help me negotiate with the seller?

Accepted Answer

The report includes a negotiation brief: list of every defect with Sydney-trade repair cost, recommended offer, and a walk-away price. Many buyers email the report straight to the seller — it does the negotiation for you.

Question 38

Can I call the inspector after I get the report?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every inspector is named on your report and reachable by phone or email for 30 days after the inspection. No call centres, no ticket queues.

Question 39

Will you re-inspect after repairs are done?

Accepted Answer

Yes — $129 flat for a targeted re-inspection on the specific items flagged in your original report. Common after dealer agrees to fix defects before settlement.

Question 40

Can the report be used as evidence in a dispute?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our reports are accepted by NSW Fair Trading, NCAT, and most consumer dispute mediators. The inspector's qualifications, AIS authorisation number, and signed declaration are on every report.

Question 41

What's your money-back guarantee?

Accepted Answer

If a major mechanical, safety or structural fault present at the time of inspection is missed in our report and discovered within 7 days, we refund the inspection fee in full. We're backed by $20M public liability and $5M professional indemnity insurance, so larger claims have a clear path too.

Question 42

What exactly counts as a 'major fault' under the guarantee?

Accepted Answer

Anything classified Major or Safety in our severity scale: structural rust, chassis damage, engine internal failure (rod knock, blown head gasket), gearbox failure, brake system failure, airbag/SRS faults that should have shown on diagnostic scan, or undisclosed accident repair we should have detected.

Question 43

Are you insured?

Accepted Answer

$20M public liability and $5M professional indemnity through CGU. Certificates of currency available on request — we're happy to send them to any dealer who asks.

Question 44

What if the vehicle is damaged during the road test?

Accepted Answer

Our commercial vehicle insurance covers us for road test damage. In 8 years and 14,000+ inspections we've had two minor incidents — both repaired at our cost with zero impact on the buyer.

Question 45

Are you actually independent?

Accepted Answer

100% independent. We don't sell cars, broker cars, take referral fees from dealers, or run a workshop that would benefit from finding work. Our only product is the inspection. That independence is the whole point.

Question 46

Who actually does the inspection?

Accepted Answer

An AIS-authorised mechanic with full Transport for NSW Authorised Examiner credentials. Not a generalist, not a subcontractor we've never met. Every inspector is named on your report, signs the report, and is reachable directly if you have questions after delivery.

Question 47

How long have you been operating?

Accepted Answer

Founded 2017 in Sydney. 14,000+ inspections completed. Average inspector tenure with us: 6 years. Owner-operated — when you call 02 8320 1246 between 7am and 8pm, you'll speak to the owner.

Question 48

Do you do motorbikes, caravans or heavy vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Not yet. We're focused on cars, EVs and light commercials (≤4.5t GVM). For motorbike PPIs we recommend Sydney's specialist bike inspectors; for HV (>4.5t) you'll need a heavy-vehicle authorised station.

Question 49

Why are you cheaper than NRMA?

Accepted Answer

We're not always cheaper — but we are sharper. NRMA passes brand and call-centre overhead onto every inspection. We're owner-operated mobile specialists with fixed pricing, named inspectors, and a guarantee in writing. You can spend $50 less or $50 more elsewhere; what you're buying is the report, the negotiation leverage, and the protection.

Question 50

Can I speak to past customers?

Accepted Answer

We can share references on request — usually faster to read our Google reviews (4.9★ across 600+ reviews) and our case studies. Every review is from a verified booking; we don't pay for reviews and we don't filter negative ones.

Question 51

Do you have a privacy policy?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and we follow the Australian Privacy Principles. We don't sell your data, don't share your report with anyone but you, and we delete personal data on request. Full policy on our /privacy page.

50+ straight answers. No fine-print games.

Booking & Pricing

What's Inspected

EV & Battery

Pink Slip & Compliance

Coverage & Locations

Dealers & Private Sales

After the Inspection

Guarantees & Insurance

About Aussie Auto Care

Talk to a human in 30 seconds.