Inspection
PPI (Pre-Purchase Inspection)
An independent mechanical and safety check on a used vehicle before you buy it.
A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is a 60–120 minute structured check by a qualified inspector covering 150+ checkpoints across body, mechanical, electrical, drivetrain, brakes, suspension and a road test. The output is a written photo report with severity-rated defects, repair-cost estimates and a buy/walk recommendation. In Sydney, an Essential car PPI costs $199, Comprehensive $329, Elite $449 and a light truck $329.
See also
Related terms
Checkpoint severity rating
The Pass / Monitor / Minor / Major / Safety scale used to score each item on a PPI report.
Negotiation brief
A summary document with suggested offer, walk-away price and talking points based on PPI findings.
Road test
A structured 15–25 km drive covering city, highway, hills and stop-start traffic.
Light truck inspection
A PPI specifically for vehicles 3.5t–4.5t GVM — extra chassis, suspension and load-area checks.
Need a real inspection, not just a definition?
Aussie Auto Care does mobile pre-purchase inspections and EV battery health checks across Greater Sydney — 7 days.