RACQ Motoring

Vehicle Inspections

RACQ Vehicle Inspection Don’t rely on just a Safety Certificate when you purchase your vehicle or caravan.

Unlike a general inspection, Safety Certificate inspections are basic checks that do not set out to identify potentially serious and costly faults in other vehicle components that may need repair. So a used car can have a valid Safety Certificate, but still require major repairs.

RACQ Vehicle Inspections can help:

  • Qualified people
  • Identification of any faults and areas that will need attention in the future
  • Written report
  • Approximate costs of necessary / recommended repairs
  • Competitively priced vehicle inspection service
  • Range of inspections available

RACQ vehicle inspections available

Book inspection or call 13 1905

Master Check (includes Car History Check)

Recommended for: Includes checks for:
  • Pre-purchase
    Before you purchase your next car.
  • Repairs
    You may need to know the condition of your car, what needs repair or need to make a decision to keep or upgrade.
  • Pre-warranty
    Before your new car warranty expires
  • Used warranty
    Before you’re used or Statutory warranty expires.
  • Body - Panels and Paint report on general condition and check for signs of repair.
  • Interior - Interior Trim including Seats, Restraints, Window and Door Mechanisms.
  • Glass – Condition of Windscreen and Operation of all Windows etc.
  • Door Locks including Central Locking Mechanisms.
  • Under body Inspection- Vehicle placed on a hoist to carry out inspection, Panels, Frames, Steering and Suspension, Exhaust and Driveline Components.
  • Brakes – with all Wheels and Brake Drums removed, Brakes are inspected with the exception of Dual Rear Wheel Vehicles.
  • Road Wheels condition and Tyre tread depth and condition.
  • Engine - Engine Analysis including Relative Compression Test, Cooling System Pressure Test and component check, Drive Belts, Engine oil level and condition, Computer fault Codes are checked where possible.
  • Oil Leaks – Report on all visible Engine, Driveline and Brake system oil leaks.
  • Electrical System – Battery, Alternator and Charging System check, Light operation and condition, Horn, Heater Demister and A/C operation.
  • Road Test - A Road Test of at least 8km will be carried to test steering, suspension, brake operation, engine & driveline operation.
RACQ member price: $211 - $345 Retail / non-member price: $285 - $395
  • All types of Master Check Inspections
  • Price is dependent on vehicle type & membership level
Book inspection

Mech Check

Recommended for: Includes checks for:
  • Repairs
    You may need to know the condition of your car, what repairs are needed or to make a decision to keep or upgrade.
  • Pre-holiday
    Before you head off on your next motoring holiday.
  • Used warranty
    Before your used or Statutory warranty expires.
  • All the above (Master Check) except for body/interior condition and remote/central locking test. This inspection is more suited to someone who is not concerned about the body condition, Pre-Holiday etc.
  • Road Test - A Road Test of at least 8km will be carried to test steering, suspension, brake operation, engine & driveline operation.
RACQ member price: $160 - $240 Retail / non-member price: $210 - $290
  • All types of Mech Check Inspections
  • Price is dependent on vehicle type & membership level
Book inspection

Mobile Inspections

Recommended for: Includes checks for:
  • Pre-purchase
    Before you purchase your next car.
  • Repair
    You may need to know the condition of your car, what repairs are needed or to make a decision to keep or upgrade.
  • Similar to a Master Check but done at your location or Dealership on a vehicle jack, not a hoist.
  • Wheels, Underbody panels and Oil Level plugs not removed during this inspection. Suitable for vehicles that are not able to be taken to an Inspection Centre.
  • Road Test - A Road Test of at least 8km will be carried to test steering, suspension, brake operation, engine & driveline operation.
RACQ member price: $171 - $240 Retail / non-member price: $240 - $290
  • All types of Mobile Inspections
  • Price is dependent on vehicle type & membership level
Book inspection

After Accident Inspection

Recommended for: Includes checks for:
  • Completion of Panel Repairs, repair quote required to verify the repairs which have been carried out.
  • Be sure that the Accident Repairs have been carried out correctly, we will require a copy of the repair quote and we will inspect and verify that the repairs have been carried out in a satisfactory manner.
  • Road Test - A Road Test of at least 8km will be carried to test steering, suspension, brake operation, engine & driveline operation.
RACQ member price: $198 - $220 Retail / non-member price: $270
  • Member price is dependent on membership level.
Book inspection

Spot Check

Recommended for: Includes checks for:
  • To Inspect Specific Faults
  • Designed to carry out an inspection on a particular item on a vehicle, this might be to confirm justification of a repair quote or a concern with brakes, steering or suspension etc. An hourly rate applies however there is a minimum charge as listed below.
RACQ member price: Minimum $50 Retail / non-member price: Minimum $70
Book inspection

Peace Of Mind Check

Recommended for: Includes checks for:
  • Pre-Purchase or Repair
  • This inspection is carried out to determine if the defects listed on any Vehicle Inspection Report have been repaired correctly.
RACQ member price: $45 Retail / non-member price: $45
Book inspection

Safety Certificate

Recommended for: Includes checks for:
  • Selling Vehicle or Transferring to Queensland Registration.
    Department of Transport and Main Roads (Queensland) requirement.
RACQ member price: $67.40 Retail / non-member price: $67.40
  • Price set by Department of Transport and Main Roads
Book inspection

Caravan / Trailer Inspection

Recommended for: Includes checks for:
  • Pre Holiday or Pre Purchase Inspection of a caravan, trailer, horse float etc.

Caravan inspections are also available, covering:

  • mechanical
  • under body
  • 12 volt external electrical
  • wheels and tyres


If you have a caravan you have not used for a long time or are purchasing a used caravan, an inspection can help identify any defects that might require attention before you hit the road for your caravanning adventure.
RACQ member price: $120 Retail / non-member price: $120
Book inspection

Some used caravan dealers have RACQ pre-inspected caravans, where an inspection report can be provided. the RACQ Technical Advisory Service can also provide assistance in vehicle suitability for towing a caravan and other vehicle related questions.

RACQ Driver Training can provide training to learn the skills to become competent and safely tow a caravan, trailer or many any other types of recreational purposes.

Some people try to sell vehicles they know are defective. A Safety Certificate will not provide a comprehensive report on the vehicle’s condition. RACQ Vehicle Inspections are a convenient and affordable way of minimising your risk.

Inspection Report Delivery

RACQ now carries out all Vehicle Inspection reports using PDA Technology (hand held computer). This allows the report to be delivered to you in a number of different mediums including:

  • Post
  • Email
  • Fax
  • Printed Hard Copy


With the new PDA technology we are also able to take photographs of the vehicle and specific items then attach them to your report so you can see exactly what the vehicle or item looks like. Often the vehicle will look different on the internet. We are finding this particularly useful for interstate members. As an additional service we can supply you with a Car History Report.

Terms & Conditions

  • Vehicle inspection prices depend on the type of vehicle. The RACQ's vehicle inspections staff can give you a firm price when you book.
  • Mobile Inspections only available in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns. Vehicles must be registered or at a dealer where a trade plate is available. Not suitable for all vehicles, such as high series prestige vehicles, it is recommended that an in station hoist inspection be carried out on these vehicles.
  • Mechanical and Body components are not removed during inspection with the exception of wheels and brake drums, while every care and precaution is taken to ensure the accuracy of the report, some faults may not be evident at the time of testing or can be spasmodic in nature.
  • The operations of in-car entertainment units, car alarms are not checked.
  • Checks of the air conditioning system are confined to its basic operation and external mechanical condition. Full performance tests (including temperature checks) of either normal or climate control systems are not carried out.
  • Some vehicles are fitted with airbag safety systems, all active components are generally enclosed and we are unable to report on the integrity or operational capability of the system.