What’s included in a pre-purchase vehicle inspection?

Buying a pre-loved car can be risky, but it also doesn’t need to be. Green Bean Auto’s pre-purchase car inspections could save you thousands of dollars in repair costs.

The oil looks freshly changed, but would you know if there’s an oil leak deep in the engine or gearbox?

Our pre-purchase vehicle inspections include the following checks:

Engine	Oiling system, cooling system, engine mounts and auxiliary items (such as belts, pulleys, and accessories) are visually checked for leaks and/or excessive wear.
Drivetrain	Gearbox, transfer case, selectable 4WD system, tail-shaft/s, and differential are visually checked for leaks and/or excessive
Brake system	Braking system is visually checked for leaks and/or excessive wear. *This does not include the pad/shoe or disk/drum wear as these are considered serviceable items.
Steering and suspension	Linkages, steering rack/box, bushings, springs, and shock absorbers are visually checked for leaks and/or excessive wear.
Battery and charging system	Battery and alternator health/performance are checked by specialised test equipment.
Exterior	Lights, mirrors, and wiper operation are checked. Mirrors, lights, and windscreen/s are checked for cracks or large stone chips
Accident damage	Rust/corrosion and unsafe repair jobs are visually checked for.
Undercarriage	The vehicle undercarriage is checked for heavy ground contact, corrosion, and water damage.
Air conditioning	Air conditioning system is checked for efficiency (function and temperature).
Interior and cargo area	Interior and cargo areas are checked for their general condition (wear and tear), electrical system function, dials and switches, and seat belt function.
Computerised diagnostic check	The vehicle’s diagnostic systems are checked for fault codes. *(pre 2000 vehicles may not have this function).
Road test	The vehicle is test driven to help locate any issues or faults. *Cars are not driven on freeways.
Tyre condition	Tyres (inc. spare) are visually checked for wear, damage, alignment, and tread.
Images of faults	We provide images of any faults that are immediately visible. *We are not able to capture images of some engine faults due to their nature and location.

The above will be put into an easy-to-read condition report which is emailed to you the same day as the inspection. If you booked a follow-up phone call in addition to your report, our fully qualified mechanic will call you soon after the inspection is completed. The mechanic will provide you with a verbal overview of what is included in the report and be available to answer any questions.

What is not included in a pre-purchase inspection

Brake function and lining material, brake drums (limited to what is immediately visible)
Brake wheel cylinders
Evidence of brake fluid contamination/hydraulic fluid
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) mechanics
Meters indicating oil and fuel consumption or the degree of oil and fuel consumption
Oil pump strainer to assess sludge build-up
Hybrid/Electric car Batteries (start-up battery is checked)
Vehicle electrics and electronics
Transmission mechanics (internal)
Engine cylinder compression
Engine/motor mountings
Water pump/fan
Body water leaks or reason for leaks
Camshaft belt/timing belt condition
Estimated expiry of the exhaust system, clutch, dual mass flywheels
Standard to which repairs or service history have been completed
The functionality of audio-visual or entertainment systems including CD, Cassette, TV, DVD, iPod connectivity, sensors, alarm/security devices, satellite navigation systems/GPS
Degree of gas emissions
Catalytic converters
Additional accessories included as a result of the owner’s modifications
LPG systems
Status of habitation areas of motorhomes or caravans
Vehicle’s computer systems, such as trip meter computers, cruise control and any other computer systems