Brisbane launch market
Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Brisbane
Book a pre-purchase car inspection in Brisbane. Auto Assure's own licensed mechanics run a 104-point inspection and deliver a photo-backed PDF report before you buy.
104-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 104-point mechanical assessment that covers what the Safety Certificate doesn't. They're complementary, not interchangeable.
What's included in a Brisbane inspection
Same 104-point check on every Auto Assure Brisbane inspection. 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.
Drop-off or mobile inspection?
Brisbane gives you both options. The right choice depends on whether the seller will release the car.
Drop-off inspection
You or the seller drops the car at our Hendra inspection centre. Full hoist access, every checkpoint covered. Best when the seller will co-operate.
Flat price
$199
See drop-off serviceMobile inspection
A licensed Auto Assure mechanic travels to the seller across the greater Brisbane area. Same 104-point check — though some hoist/underbody checks are limited compared to drop-off.
Flat price
$199
See mobile serviceSuburbs we cover
Auto Assure covers the greater Brisbane area with mobile inspectors, plus drop-off inspections at our Hendra inspection centre. Pick your suburb for local coverage and FAQs.
Coverage caveat: wherever the car is across the greater Brisbane area, a mobile inspection comes to it — or drop the car at our Hendra inspection centre. Book an inspection to see the next available times.
Brisbane pricing
Every Auto Assure pre-purchase inspection in Brisbane is a flat $199 — the same price for any vehicle, whether you drop the car at our Hendra inspection centre or an inspector travels to the seller. No vehicle-type surcharges, and the price is shown before you book.
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 — your report lands within 24 hours of the inspection.
- 1
Book your inspection
Choose a drop-off at our Hendra inspection centre or a mobile inspection where the car is, then pick a time that suits.
- 2
We assign your inspector
Enter the car and seller details. Auto Assure assigns a licensed mechanic and confirms your booking.
- 3
Receive your PDF report
Licensed mechanic completes the inspection. Photo-backed PDF lands within 24 hours.
Brisbane FAQ
Brisbane-specific questions below. For broader Auto Assure questions, see the full FAQ.
How much is a pre-purchase inspection in Brisbane?+
A pre-purchase car inspection in Brisbane is a flat $199 — the same price for cars, SUVs, 4WDs and utes, and the same whether the car comes to our Hendra inspection centre or an inspector travels to the seller. One price, set by Auto Assure, shown before you book.
Is Auto Assure available across all Brisbane suburbs?+
Auto Assure operates across the greater Brisbane area. Our licensed mechanics inspect at the seller’s location or at our Hendra inspection centre, whichever suits you. A mobile inspection comes to wherever the car is.
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 104-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 Auto Assure inspections in Brisbane are on private-sale cars from Facebook Marketplace, Carsales, Gumtree, and similar listings. Either drop the car at our Hendra inspection centre, or book a mobile inspection so an Auto Assure 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 for a drop-off at our Hendra inspection centre or by hosting an Auto Assure mobile inspector on their lot. If the dealership refuses, that’s a meaningful red flag.
Should I choose mobile or drop-off?+
Drop-off 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 104 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 24 hours, 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?+
An Auto Assure licensed mechanic. Every inspector is verified through trade-licence checks, a public liability insurance check, and a sample-report quality review before they inspect for Auto Assure.
Can I inspect cars for Auto Assure?+
Auto Assure employs and contracts its own licensed mechanics as inspectors — every inspection is done by an Auto Assure inspector. If you’re a qualified Brisbane mechanic and want to inspect cars for us, get in touch: we’re hiring.
Are you a licensed Brisbane mechanic?
Auto Assure hires and contracts licensed mechanics as inspectors — steady bookings, a digital checklist, and no admin overhead.
Book a Brisbane pre-purchase inspection before you buy
Book an Auto Assure inspection wherever the car is. Get your photo-backed PDF report within 24 hours.