The 5 best car inspection in Sydney that are thorough and reliable
Hearing something rattle around in your car chassis, or seeing the “check engine” light come on, is never a fun experience – especially when cruising down a freeway far from any repair shops.
If you’re going to buy a car, either new or secondhand, prevention is always better than cure. Your best bet to avoid problems is to catch them early on, before you start driving (or before you even buy the car).
Cars are complex machines, so it’s best to leave this work to the professionals. Keep yourself informed and safe with these reliable car inspection services in Sydney.
How much does car inspection cost in Sydney?
You’ll be paying around $250 to over $420 for a car inspection in Sydney. Prices can change depending on what specific checks you need done, or the inspection package you choose. Different vehicle models will also result in different prices.
1. Last Check Vehicle Inspection
Address: Rydalmere NSW
Phone: 0278053730
Business hours:
- Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The main thing that blew us away about Last Check Vehicle Inspection was the sheer variety of their services.
They offer inspections for a vast array of vehicles: standard cars, hybrid/electric vehicles, performance cars, and more. They also take a look at motorbikes, trucks, and buses.
You can choose from between several different inspection packages. If you opt for one of the premium packages, Last Check will provide you with two vehicle inspectors. This gives you an extra set of eyes checking your car for anything noteworthy.
Apart from physical inspections, the team also uses computer diagnostics to aid with the process. This helps ensure that no problems are missed, no matter how minor.
Customers receive a comprehensive written report from them within 24 hours of vehicle inspection. Last Check is also transparent about pricing for the inspections; this depends on the vehicle type/package you choose.
10 stars
“I couldn’t recommend Last Check Vehicle inspection enough, Andrew has helped me purchase 5 Vehicles now. Every Vehicle he has given the seal of approval on has been an excellent car, and has helped me avoid some lemons.”
– Caviar Carpentry, Google Review
Outstanding service
“Andrew went above and beyond in helping me with a vehicle inspection. He thoroughly explained all the issues, some of which weren’t as serious as I initially thought and pointed out smaller problems I would have easily missed. His honest advice and attention to detail have made me feel much more confident in the buying process.”
– Connor McGregor, Google Review
2. Sydney Vehicle Inspections
Phone: 0416661767
Business hours: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm every day
Sydney Vehicle Inspections’ standout feature is the depth of their investigation and reporting process. Within 24 hours of an inspection booking, they email customers a comprehensive report.
The report includes not only the results of the car inspection, but also the vehicle history and even the seller history. It allows users to verify that the vehicle was in fact registered, and gives an estimate of its market value.
When creating these reports, Sydney Vehicle Inspections has access to the NSW Government Vehicle Registry, allowing them to uncover any accidents associated with that particular vehicle. This is very useful to know if you’re buying a secondhand car, for example.
The report also covers vehicle accessories such as air conditioning, heated seats, and the audiovisual system. Inspectors check the vehicle exterior, including a paint assessment to reveal whether any previous repair work has been done.
Highly recommended!
“Baz was prompt with organising his inspection and was extremely thorough with his report. He picked up on a ton of little details I missed and was happy to have a post-inspection call with me to discuss the condition of the car. As someone who’s a little clueless about motor vehicles, the finesse of his report and our chat gave me the confidence I needed to go ahead with my purchase!”
– Zhixin Wang, Google Review
Super professional
“I had used several pre purchase car mechanics in the past, but Baz was extremely good one. He provided me deeper and detailed report, so that I could understand well – super professional. Plus when I had questions after, he was so present to answer all the questions and gave me very useful advice.”
– K, Google Review
3. Inspection Doctor
Phone: 0404235125
Business hours:
- Monday – Friday: 6:00 am – 11:50 pm
- Weekends: by appointment only
The Inspection Doctor performs a thorough investigation of your vehicle’s status, including the interior and exterior. When possible, this procedure also includes a road test to check the brakes, exhaust emissions, transmission performance, and more.
Part of the inspection is checking the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), which lets you view the security interests in personal property items. In this case, for example, you could check whether a secondhand car has a history of being stolen or not fully paid off.
Besides helping you estimate the vehicle’s reliability, this helps you avoid messy legal problems in the future. You can also request photo evidence and video recordings of the car’s current condition, to protect yourself in case of future problems.
The website does mention that some vehicle components will not be removed during inspection. This could potentially lead to certain faults or damage not being detected.
It’s best to talk with the inspector about which components will and won’t be examined or removed.
Very impressed
“Cannot rate Mitchell highly enough, absolutely blown away with his inspection, found things the dealer had no idea about and saved us a lot of money. Very impressed and will be using his services for Sydney vehicles from now on.”
– Chris Cunningham, Google Review
100% recommend
“100% recommend using Mitch’s service to look over whatever car you may be purchasing. He could save you a lot of money and tears. Excellent eye for detail, very knowledgeable, straight to the point, quick and thorough work, and honest.”
– Jonathan Wong, Google Review
4. Online Mechanic
Address: 21 Wharf Street, East Gosford
Phone: 0425210188
Business hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: closed
Online Mechanic’s pre-purchase vehicle inspection starts at $250, and includes a full written and verbal report plus photos for evidence. Same-day inspections are also available, though you’ll need to pay an additional travel fee.
When we called to inquire about the service, we were pleased to hear that the inspectors can travel to customers at their convenience. They even told us that customers don’t necessarily need to be present for the inspection that takes about an hour.
They perform a physical inspection, hands-on road test when possible, and computer diagnostics test. They also do a paint thickness test to check for any hidden damage or repair work on the car’s exterior.
Around a day after the vehicle inspection is completed, customers receive the report via email. Soon after, they’ll get a call from Online Mechanic, and they’ll walk you through the content of the report over the phone, which really shows a nice touch of personal assistance.
Overall, we were impressed by their inspection service offerings plus the support they show customers afterwards.
It’s a shame I can only give 5 stars
“Robin’s professionalism and expertise is an oasis in the desert. He spared enough time for me to understand each component until I understood. I cannot thank Robin enough for his patience, generosity, and work ethic.”
– Jay Lee, Google Review
I would definitely recommend using him for anybody buying a used car
“Robin’s response time, efficiency, communication and detailed verbal and written report exceeded all of my expectations, for somebody that knows nothing about cars. He gave me peace of mind that what we were purchasing was good value for money and had no hidden issues.”
– Michelle Martin, Google Review
5. AB Automotive Mechanics
Address: Mahroot St, Botany
Phone: 0478 006 374
Business hours:
- Monday – Friday: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm or by appointment
AB Automotive Mechanics can perform any of three different inspection packages for your vehicle, depending on the specific checks you need.
Among other things, the Basic Package checks your engine, brakes, and suspension system.
The Detailed Package checks ignition, the audiovisual system, and lights. The Comprehensive Package adds a test drive, paint depth check, and document check, such as the PPSR.
Expect to pay from around $250 to over $420 for your inspection, depending on the package, your vehicle model, and your location.
AB Automotive Mechanics can perform many other accessory services like oil changes and general cleaning. They also offer emergency roadside services, such as battery replacement, tyre puncture repair, and engine checkups.
I know I’ll have peace of mind
“Had him do an inspection on a car I was interested in buying. Gave him the owner’s info and he was able to set up an appointment quickly. Gave numerous pictures of the car and did a full inspection. Helped me avoid buying something that could be trouble in the future.”
– Kee Eck, Google Review
Extremely thorough and detail-oriented
“Anthony did an amazing job with a pre-purchase inspection on a second-hand car I was considering. He was extremely thorough and detail-oriented, providing clear feedback that helped me make an informed decision. I highly recommend his services!”
– Kirsten Joy, Google Review