Brisbane launch market
Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Brisbane
Book a pre-purchase car inspection near where the car is in Brisbane. AAPPI connects used-car buyers with licensed mechanics for a 200+ point inspection and photo-backed PDF report before you buy.
200+ point
inspection
24 hours
report turnaround
$199
fixed price
Mobile
inspections available
Why inspect before buying in Brisbane
Brisbane's used-car market runs across private sellers, dealerships, and the big online classifieds. Different sellers, same risk: you don't know what you're actually buying until a mechanic looks under the bonnet.
Private sellers and online listings
Most Brisbane buyers find their next car on Facebook Marketplace, Carsales, or Gumtree. Sellers describe the car the way they want to sell it — not the way it actually drives. A pre-purchase inspection cuts through the listing copy and tells you what's really there.
Dealerships and the Magic Mile
Brisbane's used-car density is concentrated along Moorooka's “Magic Mile” (Beaudesert Road) and around Newstead and Fortitude Valley. Even at established dealerships, an independent inspection gives you negotiation leverage and confirms whether the asking price is fair.
A QLD Safety Certificate is not a pre-purchase inspection
A Queensland Safety Certificate is required to transfer ownership of a used car, but it's a narrow legal check — basic lights, brakes, tyres, body. A pre-purchase inspection is a 200+ point mechanical assessment that covers what the Safety Certificate doesn't. They're complementary, not interchangeable.
What's included in a Brisbane inspection
Same 200+ point check across every AAPPI Brisbane workshop. Photos on every flagged item. Pass / fail / advisory verdict per section.
Engine + cooling
Cold/warm start, idle, leaks, belts, coolant, diagnostic scan.
Transmission + drivetrain
Auto + manual gear engagement, clutch wear, fluids, CV joints.
Brakes
Pad and rotor wear, brake lines, ABS function, pull or pulse.
Suspension + steering
Shocks, bushes, mounts, links, steering response, wheel bearings.
Electrical
Battery + alternator, all lights, accessories, OBD-II diagnostic scan.
Body + paint
Panel alignment, repaint indicators, rust + corrosion, glass + seals.
Interior
Air-conditioning, seats, belts, airbags, dashboard warning lights.
Road test
Acceleration, braking, drivetrain noise, steering centre, climate control.
Full breakdown of every checkpoint on the pre-purchase inspection service page.
In-workshop or mobile inspection?
Brisbane gives you both options. The right choice depends on whether the seller will release the car.
In-workshop inspection
Seller takes the car to a verified Brisbane workshop. Full hoist access, every checkpoint covered. Best when the seller will co-operate.
From
$199
See in-workshop serviceMobile inspection
A licensed AAPPI mechanic travels to the seller across the greater Brisbane area. Same 200+ point check — though some hoist/underbody checks are limited compared to in-workshop.
From
$199
See mobile serviceSuburbs we cover
AAPPI is launching with a curated network of Brisbane partner workshops, plus mobile inspector coverage across the greater Brisbane area. Pick your suburb for local pricing, coverage, and FAQs.
Coverage caveat: if a partner workshop isn't available in your specific Brisbane suburb yet, mobile inspection is usually the answer. Browse live Brisbane workshops to see exactly what's available right now.
Brisbane pricing
Standard pre-purchase inspection in Brisbane starts at $199. Mobile inspections start at $199. Final pricing varies by vehicle type (sedan vs SUV/4WD/ute) and the workshop you book — the actual price is shown on each workshop's AAPPI page before you commit.
See full pricingPhoto evidence on every flagged item
Every Brisbane inspection ends with a PDF report — same format every time. Section-by-section findings, photos on every flagged item, mechanic notes, and a clear pass / fail / advisory verdict per section. The report is yours to keep, share with the seller, or use to negotiate.
- Photo evidence
- Pass / advisory / fail
- Mechanic notes
How a Brisbane inspection works
Three steps, 1–3 business days from booking to report.
- 1
Find a Brisbane workshop
Search by suburb where the car is. Mobile inspection is also an option if the seller won’t release the car.
- 2
Book and pay online
Pick a time, enter the car details, and pay through AAPPI. The workshop confirms within hours.
- 3
Receive your PDF report
Licensed mechanic completes the inspection. Photo-backed PDF lands within 1–3 business days.
Brisbane FAQ
Brisbane-specific questions below. For broader AAPPI questions, see the full FAQ.
How much is a pre-purchase inspection in Brisbane?+
A standard pre-purchase car inspection in Brisbane starts at $199. SUVs, 4WDs and utes start higher. A mobile inspection (where the inspector travels to the seller) starts at $199. Final pricing depends on the workshop you book and the vehicle type.
Is AAPPI available across all Brisbane suburbs?+
AAPPI is launching in Brisbane in 2026 with a small group of partner workshops, plus mobile inspector coverage across the greater Brisbane area. Some suburbs may not have a verified workshop yet — in that case, a mobile inspection is the fastest path to a report.
Is a Queensland Safety Certificate the same as a pre-purchase inspection?+
No. A Queensland Safety Certificate is a narrow legal document confirming a used car meets minimum on-road safety items, and is required to transfer ownership. A pre-purchase inspection is a much broader 200+ point mechanical check covering engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, electrics, body, and a road test. They’re complementary, not interchangeable.
Can I inspect a car from Facebook Marketplace?+
Yes. Most AAPPI inspections in Brisbane are on private-sale cars from Facebook Marketplace, Carsales, Gumtree, and similar listings. Either ask the seller to take the car to a verified Brisbane workshop, or book a mobile inspection so the mechanic comes to where the car is.
Can I inspect a car at a dealership?+
Yes. Most dealerships across Brisbane allow third-party pre-purchase inspections — either by releasing the car to a workshop or by hosting an AAPPI mobile inspector on their lot. If the dealership refuses, that’s a meaningful red flag.
Should I choose mobile or in-workshop?+
In-workshop is the better default — full hoist access, every checkpoint covered. Mobile is the right call when the seller won’t release the car or when distance makes a workshop visit impractical. Mobile inspections cover the same 200+ points, but a few hoist-dependent checks are limited.
How long does the report take?+
The on-site inspection takes 60–90 minutes. The PDF report is finalised and emailed within 1–3 business days, often the same day for inspections completed before noon.
What happens if the car fails inspection?+
You have three options: walk away, use the failed items to negotiate the price down by the cost of the repairs, or ask the seller to fix the items before purchase. The report is yours and the choice is yours.
Who performs the inspection?+
A licensed Australian mechanic from a Brisbane partner workshop verified by AAPPI. Every workshop has been through trade-licence verification, public liability insurance check, and a sample-report quality review before going live on AAPPI.
Can Brisbane workshops join AAPPI?+
Yes — we’re actively onboarding Brisbane workshops as we launch. If you run a workshop and want to receive pre-paid inspection bookings, see /for-workshops/brisbane for the full pitch and an application form.
Run a Brisbane workshop?
AAPPI is onboarding founding Brisbane partner workshops — pre-paid bookings, digital checklist, no admin overhead.
Book a Brisbane pre-purchase inspection before you buy
Find a workshop near where the car is. Pay online. Receive your photo-backed PDF report.