Terms and Conditions

1. Services we provide

Aussie Auto Care provides mobile automotive services across Greater Sydney, including:

• Pre-purchase vehicle inspections (Essential, Comprehensive and Elite Buyers' Protection tiers);
• Light truck and commercial vehicle inspections up to 4.5 tonnes;
• Electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid battery State-of-Health (SoH) testing;
• NSW eSafety inspections ("pink slips") issued under our AIS authorisation from Transport for NSW;
• Auction and dealer inspections; and
• Combination bundles of the above ("Combo Bundles").

Each service is delivered subject to its published inclusions and these Terms. Service descriptions, marketing copy, case studies, average-saving figures, review summaries and other content on our website are general information only and are not warranties, representations or guarantees about the outcome of any particular inspection or booking. The actual scope of any inspection is limited to the items expressly listed in the report for the tier you purchased and these Terms.

2. Bookings, pricing and payment

2.1 Booking and confirmation

A booking is made when you submit a request and receive a written confirmation from us. Until a written confirmation issues, no booking exists, regardless of any time slot shown online or any verbal indication.

2.2 Pricing

Prices shown are starting prices in Australian dollars and include GST. The final price may vary based on vehicle type, add-ons (e.g. EV battery test), and any additional time reasonably required. We do not charge any travel, after-hours or weekend surcharges. Any variation will be communicated before the inspection commences.

2.3 Payment

Payment is required in full at the time of booking unless agreed otherwise in writing. We do not commence work until cleared payment is received. Chargebacks initiated without first exhausting our complaint process in clause 14 constitute a material breach of these Terms.

2.4 Service area

Our standard service area is Greater Sydney. Locations outside this area may be declined at our sole discretion. We do not charge travel surcharges.

3. Cancellations, reschedules and no-shows

3.1 By you

You may cancel or reschedule without charge if you notify us in writing at least 24 hours before the scheduled inspection. Cancellations or reschedules within 24 hours incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the service price.

3.2 No access at site

If our inspector attends the booked address and is unable to access the vehicle within 20 minutes of the scheduled start (including where the seller is absent, the vehicle is unavailable, keys are not provided, or the address is incorrect), the booking is treated as a no-show and the full fee is forfeited.

3.3 By us

We may reschedule due to weather, safety concerns, inspector illness, or events beyond our reasonable control. Where we reschedule, we will offer the next available slot or, at your election, a refund of fees paid for the affected service. This is your sole remedy for reschedules initiated by us.

4. Your responsibilities

You agree, and warrant, that before and during the inspection you will:

• Provide accurate and complete vehicle details, including make, model, year, VIN or registration, kilometres, and the seller's contact details;
• Ensure the inspector is granted reasonable access to the vehicle, keys, and a safe and lawful area in which to work;
• Obtain all necessary permissions from the seller or owner for us to inspect, test drive (where applicable), connect diagnostic tools and photograph the vehicle;
• Disclose every matter known to you about the vehicle, including prior accidents, modifications, repairs, finance, encumbrances, or seller statements;
• Be contactable by phone during the inspection window to receive the verbal report;
• Not engage us to inspect a vehicle that is stolen, encumbered without disclosure, or otherwise unlawfully offered for sale; and
• Not rely on any verbal statement, opinion or impression from an inspector that is not also recorded in the written report. Only the written report is binding on us.

Any failure to comply with this clause voids the guarantee in clause 8 to the extent that the non-compliance contributed to a missed or undetected matter.

5. Scope and limitations of inspections

5.1 Visual and non-invasive only

Inspections are visual, non-invasive, and (where safe and permitted) include a short road test and OBD-II scan. We do not disassemble, remove, dismantle, or partially dismantle any component, panel, trim, wheel, undertray, cover or fastening unless expressly agreed in writing. We do not perform destructive testing, dynamometer testing, fluid analysis, compression testing, leak-down testing, endoscopic inspection, or any procedure requiring the vehicle to be raised on a hoist.

5.2 Snapshot in time

An inspection reflects the condition of the vehicle, and the data available to us, only at the time and date of inspection. We do not warrant the future condition, reliability, safety, roadworthiness or compliance of the vehicle for any period after the inspection. Mechanical condition can change rapidly with use, time, weather and operator behaviour.

5.3 Express exclusions

Unless purchased as a specific add-on, inspections do NOT include and we accept no responsibility for:

• Intermittent, latent or hidden faults that do not present during the inspection window;
• Faults only detectable by disassembly, dynamometer, compression, leak-down, endoscopic, fluid-laboratory, hoist-based or specialist non-standard testing;
• Cosmetic items, including minor paint blemishes, stone chips, swirl marks, small dents, interior wear, odour, upholstery wear, trim defects, detailing and presentation;
• Wear-and-tear consistent with the age and kilometres of the vehicle, including brake pads, brake discs, tyres, wiper blades, drive belts, hoses, bushes, mounts, clutches, batteries (12V auxiliary), bulbs, fuses, and consumables;
• Software faults, infotainment functionality, connectivity, app pairing, navigation accuracy, voice control, factory recall status (beyond the recall lookup provided), and over-the-air update status;
• Air-conditioning gas charge, refrigerant levels, or compressor longevity beyond a basic operation check;
• Confirmation of odometer accuracy beyond what is visible via OBD-II, service history and PPSR data;
• Pest, mould, asbestos, hazardous materials, water-ingress history, or environmental testing;
• Verification of title, finance, encumbrances or stolen status beyond the PPSR check (where included in your tier);
• Compliance certification other than the NSW eSafety inspection where booked;
• Valuations, except the indicative market valuation provided in Comprehensive and Elite tiers, which is an estimate only and not a valuation for finance, insurance, taxation, legal or warranty purposes; and
• Any matter the seller, dealer, auction house or any third party concealed, misrepresented, or failed to disclose, and which was not reasonably detectable within the visual, non-invasive scope of the tier purchased.

5.4 EV and hybrid battery testing

EV and hybrid battery State-of-Health results are produced using third-party tools (including, without limitation, the AVILOO flash test) and the vehicle's onboard data. Results are estimates based on the methodology and tolerances of the testing tool at the time of the test, and may differ materially from results produced by the manufacturer's diagnostic equipment or independent laboratories. They are not a warranty assessment, do not predict future battery life, capacity, or range, and are not a representation about the remaining useful life of the high-voltage battery. We accept no liability for variation between our test result and any later test, manufacturer assessment, or actual battery performance.

5.5 NSW eSafety (pink slip) inspections

The pink slip service is conducted under our AIS authorisation and governed by the rules of that scheme. We must report findings honestly to Transport for NSW and cannot pass a vehicle that does not meet the minimum standards. Repairs required to pass are at your cost and are not included in the inspection fee. Re-inspection fees may apply. The guarantee in clause 8 does not apply to pink slip inspections, which are governed by Transport for NSW.

5.6 No advice

Our reports are technical findings, not financial, legal, insurance, taxation or investment advice. Any indicative recommendation (such as "Buy", "Think Twice", "Avoid", or a numeric rating) is the inspector's opinion based on the items inspected and is not a representation that the vehicle is fit for your particular purpose. The decision to purchase, negotiate, or walk away is yours alone.

5.7 Light Truck inspections

Light Truck inspections (vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes) cover utes, vans and light commercial vehicles and are conducted on a best-efforts basis given the operating context, modifications, payload history, off-road use and accelerated wear typical of working vehicles. The guarantee in clause 8 does not apply to Light Truck inspections. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law are not affected.

6. Reports and recommendations

We will provide a written report with photographs and, where included in your tier, a verbal summary by phone. Elite bookings receive a same-day on-site report.

Reports are confidential to you, prepared for your sole use in deciding whether to purchase the inspected vehicle. You must not on-sell, publish, distribute, reproduce, edit, misrepresent, or use any report for any purpose other than that purchase decision. Any unauthorised use voids all guarantees and remedies under these Terms and may constitute breach of our intellectual property rights.

Where there is any inconsistency between a verbal statement and the written report, the written report prevails.

7. Elite Buyers' Protection – negotiation service

Where you purchase Elite Buyers' Protection, a senior inspector will attempt to negotiate a price reduction with the seller on your behalf using the documented findings.

You acknowledge and agree that:

• Negotiation is an attempt only. We do not guarantee any reduction, any agreement, or any sale;
• You retain final authority over price, offer and terms. We will not commit you to any purchase or sign any document on your behalf;
• You must be available by phone during negotiation. Unavailability releases us from any obligation to negotiate;
• Average-saving and aggregate-saving figures published on our website are historical, are not a representation about your booking, and create no entitlement; and
• The Elite fee is not refundable on the basis that negotiations did not produce a particular outcome, provided we attempted negotiation in good faith.

8. Inspection Guarantee

We stand behind our work with the Inspection Guarantee set out in this clause. This clause is the entire and exclusive statement of the guarantee and is to be read together with clauses 4, 5, and 9. Any marketing summary on our website or other channels is qualified by and subject to this clause. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the guarantee in this clause is your sole and exclusive contractual remedy for any matter said to have been missed or under-reported in an inspection. Nothing in this clause limits any non-excludable right you may have under the Australian Consumer Law (see clause 9.1).

8.1 What the guarantee covers

Subject to this clause, if a Qualifying Fault is established in accordance with clauses 8.2 to 8.5, we will:

• (a) refund the fee paid for the inspection tier in which the fault was missed; and
• (b) contribute toward the documented cost of rectifying that Qualifying Fault, payable directly to a repairer approved by us in writing in advance, up to the Cover Cap for the tier you purchased as set out in the table below.

Guarantee periods and Cover Caps

The Cover Cap is a single aggregate cap per vehicle, per inspection, and across all claims arising from that inspection. It is not paid in cash to you, is not transferable, and is not a credit toward any other service. Where you purchased a Combo Bundle, the Cover Cap is that of the highest-tier pre-purchase inspection included in the bundle. The guarantee does not apply to Light Truck inspections, Onsite Pink Slip inspections, or EV / Hybrid Battery Test add-ons purchased on their own.

8.2 Definition of "Qualifying Fault"

A "Qualifying Fault" means a defect in the vehicle that meets ALL of the following requirements:

• (c) It is a major mechanical, structural, or safety defect affecting the engine block or head, transmission internals, differential or transfer case internals, structural chassis or unibody integrity, primary braking system, primary steering system, or high-voltage drive battery (for EVs and hybrids only);
• (d) The reasonable cost of rectification, evidenced by a written itemised quote from an independent licensed workshop unrelated to you, exceeds AUD $1,500 (inclusive of GST and parts) for that single defect, excluding any consequential, incidental, ancillary, or related work;
• (e) The defect was physically present in the vehicle at the time and date of inspection (not arising from later use, wear, accident, modification, environmental exposure, or third-party repair);
• (f) The defect was reasonably detectable within the visual, non-invasive scope of the specific inspection tier you purchased (Essential, Comprehensive or Elite) and the inclusions list for that tier published on the date of your booking. Light Truck and Pink Slip inspections are not eligible for the guarantee;
• (g) The defect was not disclosed, noted, flagged, photographed, or reasonably referenced in our written report, including any "Think Twice", "Avoid", advisory, or watch-item entry; and
• (h) The defect is not excluded under clause 5.3, clause 8.3, or any other provision of these Terms.

A defect that does not satisfy every element of this clause 8.2 is not a Qualifying Fault and the guarantee does not apply.

8.3 Exclusions from the guarantee

Without limiting clause 5.3, the guarantee does NOT apply to:

• Any item excluded from, or outside the published inclusions of, your inspection tier (an Essential buyer cannot claim for items only included in Comprehensive or Elite, and so on);
• Wear-and-tear items, consumables, and items with a finite service life consistent with the age and kilometres of the vehicle;
• Cosmetic, presentation, comfort, convenience or aesthetic items;
• Software, firmware, infotainment, connectivity, telematics, app, voice control, navigation, or over-the-air-update issues;
• Intermittent faults that did not present during the inspection window;
• Faults requiring disassembly, hoist access, dynamometer, fluid laboratory analysis, endoscopic inspection, compression or leak-down testing to detect;
• Faults arising or worsening after the date of inspection, including those caused by your or any third party's use, towing, modification, repair, off-road operation, racing, commercial use beyond the vehicle's rating, or accident;
• Faults caused or contributed to by the seller's misrepresentation, where that misrepresentation was not reasonably detectable on the day within the tier's scope;
• Faults referred to in any document made available to you before purchase, including service history, prior inspection reports, dealer disclosures, auction notices, listing photographs, or PPSR data;
• Faults the inspector noted or referenced, even briefly, in the report, photographs, or verbal call;
• EV battery condition where the SoH result was disclosed and the buyer proceeded with purchase;
• Light Truck inspections, Onsite Pink Slip inspections, and EV / Hybrid Battery Test add-ons purchased on their own;
• Vehicles used for commercial purposes (including ride-share, courier, delivery, hire, rental, driving school, taxi, or freight) after purchase;
• Vehicles modified, repaired, serviced, on-sold, exported, written off, or de-registered after the inspection and before the claim is made;
• Claims where you cannot produce the unmodified original written report, the rectification quote, the workshop diagnosis, and the supporting evidence required by clause 8.4; and
• Claims arising from a vehicle not purchased by you within 14 days of the inspection date.

8.4 Conditions precedent to a claim

The following are conditions precedent. Failure to satisfy every one of them releases us from all obligations under the guarantee:

• (i) You purchased the vehicle within 14 days of the inspection date and remain the registered owner at the date of claim;
• (j) You notify us of the suspected fault in writing to admin@aussieautocare.com.au within 7 days of the date you became aware, or reasonably should have become aware, of it, and in any event within the guarantee period applicable to your tier (60 days for Essential; 90 days for Comprehensive and Elite);
• (k) You provide, at your cost: (i) the booking reference; (ii) the original written report; (iii) a written diagnosis on the letterhead of an independent licensed workshop unrelated to you, signed by a licensed motor mechanic, identifying the fault and its cause; (iv) an itemised written quote for rectification from that workshop; (v) clear photographs of the fault; and (vi) the vehicle's service, repair and modification history since the inspection;
• (l) You make the vehicle available for re-inspection by us or our nominated agent, at a Sydney location of our reasonable choice, within 14 days of our request, before any rectification work is commenced;
• (m) You do NOT cause, permit, or authorise any rectification, repair, modification, disassembly, sale, transfer, or disposal of the vehicle or the relevant component until we have completed re-inspection and confirmed our determination in writing; and
• (n) You have paid in full for the inspection and have not initiated, threatened or maintained any chargeback, dispute, public complaint, social media post, or third-party review concerning the booking.

Time is of the essence in this clause. Any rectification, repair, sale, or disposal carried out before our re-inspection conclusively voids the claim. Any public statement about the matter before our determination is a material breach and voids the claim.

8.5 Determination and onus

The onus is on you to establish, on the balance of probabilities and by reference to objective evidence, every element of clause 8.2. Where any element is ambiguous, contested by us in writing, or supported only by your own statement, the claim fails.

Where the parties cannot agree on whether a Qualifying Fault exists, the question will be referred at the claimant's cost to an independent automotive engineer or mechanic jointly appointed by the parties (or, failing agreement within 14 days, appointed by the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers or its successor). The independent expert's written determination on whether each element of clause 8.2 is satisfied is final and binding on the parties, save for manifest error.

8.6 Subrogation

On payment of any contribution under this guarantee, you assign to us, to the extent of that contribution, your rights of recovery against the seller, dealer, auction house, prior owner, or any other third party in respect of the Qualifying Fault, and you will sign all documents and provide all reasonable assistance we require to enforce those rights.

8.7 Single claim

Only one claim may be made per inspection. Acceptance and payment by us of any contribution under this guarantee is in full and final settlement of all claims by you against us arising out of or in connection with the inspection, the report, and the vehicle, save for any non-excludable rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

9. Australian Consumer Law, liability and indemnity

9.1 Consumer guarantees

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any guarantee, right or remedy you may have under the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)) or any other law which cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified.

Our services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. For major failures with the service, you are entitled to cancel your service contract with us and receive a refund for the unused portion, or to compensation for its reduced value. You are also entitled to be compensated for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. If the failure does not amount to a major failure, you are entitled to have problems with the service rectified in a reasonable time and, if this is not done, to cancel the service and obtain a refund for the unused portion.

9.2 Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, and subject to clause 9.1:

• Our liability for breach of any non-excludable consumer guarantee in relation to the supply of services is, at our election, limited to: (i) the supplying of the services again; or (ii) the payment of the cost of having the services supplied again;
• Our total aggregate liability to you for any and all claims arising out of or in connection with these Terms, a booking, or a report, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), statute or otherwise, is capped at the higher of: (i) the fees actually paid by you for the relevant service; or (ii) the Cover Cap for the relevant tier set out in clause 8.1 where (and only where) the guarantee in clause 8 applies and is engaged in accordance with that clause;
• We are not liable for any indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or punitive loss, including loss of profit, loss of bargain, loss of opportunity, loss of use, loss of resale value, finance costs, registration costs, insurance costs, towing costs, accommodation costs, distress, inconvenience, or reputational harm; and
• We are not liable for any decision you make in reliance on a third-party report, advertisement, listing, dealer or seller statement, social media content, or any verbal statement of an inspector that is not also recorded in the written report.

9.3 Contributory conduct

Our liability is reduced to the extent that your acts, omissions, breach of these Terms, or reliance on information from a third party contributed to the loss.

9.4 Vehicle and property at site

We will take reasonable care of the vehicle and surrounding property. We are not liable for pre-existing damage, wear, latent defects, the consequences of a seller-permitted road test, or damage caused by reasonable inspection activities (including connection of OBD-II tools, use of paint depth gauges, and inspection of underbody components from ground level). Our public liability cover is $20,000,000.

9.5 Indemnity

You indemnify us, our officers, employees, contractors and agents against all losses, costs (including legal costs on a solicitor-and-own-client basis), claims, damages and liabilities arising from: (a) your breach of these Terms; (b) your unauthorised use, publication, or distribution of a report; (c) any inaccurate or incomplete information you provided; (d) any claim by a third party (including a seller) arising from your conduct in reliance on a report; and (e) any chargeback, dispute, or public statement made in breach of clause 8.4.

9.6 Time bar

Any claim by you against us must be commenced, by the issue of proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction, no later than 12 months after the inspection date, failing which the claim is forever barred to the maximum extent permitted by law.

10. Third-party data and subcontractors

We rely on third-party data sources (including PPSR, Transport for NSW, manufacturer service data, and diagnostic tools). We do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of third-party information and are not liable for errors, omissions, delays or unavailability of those sources beyond reasonable care in obtaining and reporting the data. Where we use subcontracted inspectors, the same standards under these Terms apply.

11. Privacy

We handle personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our Privacy Policy. By booking, you consent to us collecting and using your information to deliver the service, communicate with you, send your report, and comply with our legal obligations (including reporting to Transport for NSW for pink slip inspections).

12. Intellectual property

All copyright, trade marks and other intellectual property rights in our website, reports, photographs, methodology, branding and content remain our property or our licensors'. You receive a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use your inspection report solely for your personal purchase decision. You must not reproduce, edit, redact, misrepresent, on-sell, publish, or use our content for commercial purposes without our prior written consent. Breach of this clause is a material breach and voids all guarantees and remedies under these Terms.

13. Reviews, photographs and case studies

We may, in an anonymised and de-identified form, publish details, photographs and findings from inspections as case studies or marketing material. If you do not wish your inspection to be used in this way, notify us in writing at admin@aussieautocare.com.au at or before the inspection.

14. Complaints and disputes

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service, you must first contact us at admin@aussieautocare.com.au or 02 8320 1246 and provide reasonable particulars in writing. We will acknowledge within 3 business days and aim to resolve within 14 business days. You agree not to initiate any chargeback, public review, social media post, or court proceeding about a complaint until our internal process is complete. If we cannot resolve it, you may refer the matter to NSW Fair Trading or, for pink slip concerns, to Transport for NSW.

15. General

15.1 Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales and the Federal Court of Australia sitting in Sydney.

15.2 Force majeure

Neither party is liable for any failure or delay caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including severe weather, fire, flood, pandemic, industrial action, government action or telecommunications failure.

15.3 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or void, that provision is severed and the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect. Where a provision can be read down to make it enforceable, it is to be read down to the extent necessary.

15.4 Entire agreement

These Terms, the booking confirmation, and any service-specific terms agreed in writing form the entire agreement and supersede any prior discussions, representations or marketing.

15.5 No waiver

No failure or delay by us in exercising a right under these Terms operates as a waiver of that right.

15.6 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights under these Terms without our written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations on written notice to you.

15.7 Amendments

We may update these Terms from time to time. The version in force at the time of your booking is the version that applies. The current version is always available at aussieautocare.com.au.

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