Informational
Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Checklist
A 200+ point inspection covers far more than a buyer's walkaround. Here is exactly what a licensed mechanic checks — and what they can't check without a hoist and diagnostic equipment.
Why a professional inspection beats a walkaround
Hoist access
Underbody inspection requires lifting the car. Rust, structural damage, exhaust condition, and suspension wear are only properly visible from below.
OBD-II diagnostic scan
A diagnostic scanner reads stored fault codes the dashboard might not show — intermittent engine faults, ABS issues, transmission warnings that come and go.
Paint depth gauge
Repainted panels — evidence of prior accident damage — are invisible to the naked eye. A paint depth meter detects the extra layers of filler and paint that indicate bodywork.
The 200+ point checklist
Eight categories, checked in order on every AAPPI inspection. The digital checklist is the same across all approved workshops.
Engine and cooling system
- Cold start and warm idle quality
- Oil level, colour, and contamination
- Coolant level, condition, and leaks
- Belts and hoses — cracks, tension, wear
- Radiator condition and fan operation
- OBD-II diagnostic scan for stored fault codes
- Battery and alternator output
- Visible engine bay leaks
Transmission and drivetrain
- Automatic: smooth engagement in all gears, no slip or shudder
- Manual: clutch bite point, wear, gearshift quality
- Transmission fluid level, colour, and smell
- CV joint boots — intact, no grease throwing
- Driveshaft condition and prop shaft (RWD/4WD)
- 4WD engagement and transfer case function
- Differential oils and seal condition
Brakes
- Front and rear pad thickness
- Rotor surface condition — scoring, warping, minimum thickness
- Brake lines and hoses — corrosion, cracks, security
- Caliper condition and movement
- Handbrake operation and hold
- ABS function confirmed during road test
- Brake fluid level and colour
Suspension and steering
- Shock absorbers — leaks, bounce test, worn mounts
- Springs — sag, cracks, correct ride height
- Ball joints and tie rod ends — play, wear
- Control arm bushes — cracking, deterioration
- Wheel bearings — roughness, play
- Steering rack condition and play
- Wheel alignment — tyre wear pattern indicative check
- Sway bar links and bushes
Electrical systems
- All interior lights — cabin, dash, instrument cluster
- All exterior lights — headlights, indicators, brake lights, reverse
- Horn operation
- Power windows and central locking
- Air conditioning — cools to temperature
- Heating and demister
- Wipers and washers
- Dashboard warning lights — clear at running
Body and paint
- Panel alignment — gaps, flush fit
- Paint surface — repaint indicators, colour mismatch, blending lines
- Rust and corrosion — surface and structural
- Underbody structural check — chassis rails, floor pans
- Windscreen and glazing — chips, cracks, seal condition
- Door hinges, seals, and latches
- Boot and bonnet seals
- Accident history indicators — misaligned panels, fresh underseal, welding
Interior and safety
- Seat belts — webbing, retractors, buckles
- Seat condition and adjustment (driver and passenger)
- Airbag warning light — off at running
- Odometer plausibility (compared to service history and wear)
- Service history and logbook review
- Registration currency and PPSR recommendation
- Tyre depth across all four corners
- Spare tyre, jack, and tools
Road test
- Acceleration response — smooth, no hesitation or misfire
- Braking performance — straight, no pull or shudder
- Steering — tracks straight, no wander or pull
- Transmission — all gear changes clean
- Unusual noises — engine, drivetrain, brakes, suspension
- Air conditioning and climate control under load
- Cruise control function (where fitted)
What the inspection cannot check
A pre-purchase inspection is comprehensive, but it is not a teardown. Some things are outside the scope of a visual and functional assessment.
- Structural damage concealed behind panels or under factory underseal
- Intermittent electrical faults that aren't present at time of inspection
- Internal engine wear that would require disassembly to assess
- Manufacturer defects not yet visible at inspection mileage
- History events not recorded in PPSR or service logbook
A reputable inspector will note limitations in the report where they apply — for example, where rust or an oil leak prevents a full view of a component.
What the report captures
Every AAPPI inspection ends with a photo-backed PDF report. For every item in the checklist, the inspector records a pass, advisory, or fail verdict. Flagged items include photos and mechanic notes. The report closes with an overall verdict — Recommended, Conditional, or Not Recommended.
Inspection checklist FAQ
How many points does an AAPPI inspection check?+
Every AAPPI inspection uses a standardised 200+ point digital checklist, covering engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, electrical, body, interior, and road test. The checklist is the same across all AAPPI workshops — you get a consistent report regardless of which approved workshop performs the inspection.
Can I use this checklist to inspect the car myself?+
This checklist gives you a useful walkaround framework, but a professional inspection will find things a buyer cannot. A licensed mechanic uses a hoist for underbody access, a diagnostic scanner for stored fault codes, a paint depth gauge for repaint detection, and trained pattern recognition for worn components that look fine to an untrained eye. The checklist here is educational — for a decision worth tens of thousands of dollars, a professional inspection is always the safer call.
What happens if the inspector finds a major problem?+
The inspector documents the finding with photos and notes in the report — they do not advise you to walk away or buy. The report gives you objective evidence. You decide what to do with it: walk away, negotiate the price down by the cost of the repair, or ask the seller to fix it before purchase.
Does the inspection include a PPSR check?+
AAPPI inspections cover the mechanical and physical condition of the vehicle. A PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) check is a separate government record check that reveals whether a car has outstanding finance, has been written off, or is stolen. AAPPI recommends running a PPSR check in addition to, not instead of, a mechanical pre-purchase inspection.
Is the checklist the same for SUVs and 4WDs?+
The same 200+ point categories apply to all vehicle types. For SUVs and 4WDs, additional items are checked — 4WD engagement and transfer case, high/low range operation, diff lock function, and additional underbody coverage due to higher ride height. This additional scope is one reason why inspections for larger vehicles typically start at a higher price point.
How long does a full inspection take?+
A thorough pre-purchase inspection takes 60–90 minutes on-site. Inspectors who rush through the process in under 30 minutes are likely skipping checks. Every AAPPI inspection is performed against the full digital checklist — shortcuts are visible in the report.
Get these checks done on your car
Book an approved AAPPI workshop in Brisbane. Licensed mechanic, full 200+ point check, photo-backed PDF report.