Vehicle inspection services

Save money and avoid worry when you book an RACQ vehicle inspection.

Image of vehicle inspector checking under the bonnet.

Looks can be deceiving when you're buying a new car.

A shiny coat of paint and polished wheels can hide some nasty, and costly, surprises. And if you're an average buyer, it's almost impossible for you to pick up the problems.

An RACQ vehicle inspection done before you buy the car may help you avoid expensive surprises.

RACQ vehicle inspections are convenient, reliable and affordable. Our vehicle inspectors provide an independent opinion, which means you can be sure you’re getting the facts about the car you want to buy.

Vehicle inspection benefits

With an RACQ vehicle inspection, you can:

know exactly what you’re buying before you hand over your money
avoid expensive ‘surprises’ such as hidden rust or badly done accident repairs
negotiate repairs of faults before you take the car instead of relying on any warranty cover afterwards
be in a stronger bargaining position if there are faults and you need to negotiate repairs
avoid wasting lots of money trying to offload a mechanically unsound or unsafe vehicle just after you’ve bought it

What you need to know before buying a used car

a Safety Certificate only covers the basics, a car with a Safety Certificate can still have big problems
paying for repairs after you’ve bought the car can be expensive, and what happens if you’ve got no money left to pay for them
if the car was in an accident, the repairs could have been done very badly and cost a lot more money to fix
a warranty is not a substitute for a pre-purchase check - some warranties may not cover all the problems the car has, leaving you even more out of pocket

Summary

Don’t spend your money buying someone else’s problem. Too many times we’ve seen car owners waste money on a car with expensive problems.

RACQ vehicle inspections:

are affordable compared to the amount of money you could pay fixing a defective vehicle
give you peace of mind
are carried out by skilled and experienced inspectors
are convenient – we can check most cars on-site
provide an independent written report
are backed up by technical advisors, who can give you additional buying advice

Next steps

request a vehicle inspection (an RACQ team member will call to confirm your booking and the price)
phone 13 1905 to book a vehicle inspection or get a firm price

It's best to book a couple of days in advance.

RACQ and interstate affiliate club members save $50 on standard vehicle inspection service prices. Not an RACQ member? Join RACQ now!

Vehicle inspection prices

For the full list of vehicle inspection services, phone 13 1905.

Master Check
Recommended for	Includes checks for	RACQ member price*	Standard price*
Pre-purchase Repairs Pre-warranty Used warranty	Air conditioner Body and interior condition Brakes with all wheels and drums removed (if possible) except dual wheels and fully floating axles Cooling system Electrical (includes remote/central locking but not audio, car alarms and cruise control) Engine and visible engine components Exhaust Road test (minimum 8km) Steering Suspension Tyres Under body	$199 - $305	$249 - $355
Mech Check
Repairs Pre-holiday Used warranty	All the above, except for body/interior condition and remote/central locking test	$175 - $275	$225 - $325
Site Check** (mobile inspectors)
Pre-purchase Repairs Pre-warranty Used warranty	Same as a Master Check but done on a vehicle jack, not a hoist, and wheels are not removed	$170 - $220	$220 - $270

*Vehicle inspection prices depend on the type of vehicle. The RACQ’s vehicle inspections staff can give you a firm price when you book.
**Site Check only available in Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Rockhampton and Cairns.

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