What Can Go Wrong Without an Inspection
Private car sales in South Australia are largely caveat emptor — buyer beware. Once you've handed over the money and driven away, recovering it if serious problems emerge is extremely difficult. We've seen buyers discover cracked chassis, flood damage, prior accidents, engine sludge, and timing chain issues — all hidden under a fresh detail and a motivated seller's pitch.
What We Check
A thorough pre-purchase inspection covers the engine and transmission, brake system, suspension and steering, tyres and wheels, all electrical systems, cooling system, body and paint condition (looking for signs of prior accident repair), and an OBD diagnostic scan for stored fault codes. We provide a written report with photos.
We Come to the Car
You don't need to arrange a test drive to a workshop. We come to wherever the car is — whether that's a private seller's home, a car yard, or a dealer. We're happy to inspect any vehicle in the Adelaide metropolitan area and most surrounding suburbs.
Using the Report to Negotiate
Even if the car passes our inspection, identifying minor issues often gives you negotiating power. A worn battery, upcoming service due, or slightly low brake pads are all legitimate reasons to negotiate the price down — often by more than the cost of the inspection itself.