23 February 2012

Pre-purchase vehicle inspection in Canberra?

| Boxhead
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Can anyone recommend a business that does pre-purchase vehicle inspections?

I’m looking at buying a second hand 4WD and would like to have it checked out by an expert.

I’ve previously used State Roads Vehicle Inspections in Sydney, who are excellent, but they’re booked out here in Canberra until end of next week.

Thanks!

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Dion Riccioni6:39 pm 09 Jun 21

If you ever need a Pre-purchase inspection in Melbourne try, http://www.ride-check.com.au.

Thanks all for your thoughtful suggestions. As recommended by a couple of people, I took it to my trusted local mechanic who has serviced my Subaru for years (Haig Park Service Centre in Mitchell). Why didn’t I think of that? It ended up being a lot cheaper than the specialist pre-purchase inspection folks who come to you, and I got some reliable, trusted advice. Thanks again.

niceplacetolive9:13 am 24 Feb 12

I recommend you don’t use Monaro Off Road. They used the incorrect oil in the gearbox of our auto patrol, and their support afterwards was terrible.

result = expensive

I would reccomend someone you can trust, i have recently purchased a second hand 4wd and had been through mechanic inspections and rego inspection. They did not pick up any of the issues the car had. A week after the car was inspected and passed, it had been deemed it had faulty radiator and other components. Try a specialist.

Monaro Off Road.

A few years back I was selling my Landcruiser and the buyer took it there for a pre purchase inspection. I did all my own servicing on that car and I had done everything except for the rear diff oil. Incredibly, the report they did mentioned that the diff oil was in need of a change. They also mentioned to the buyer that the car had a history of being on outback red dirt roads which was also correct but due to my meticulous obsessive cleaning regime (yes I used to get underneath that car to clean it) would not have been obvious to the vast majority of people.

I do know of other people that use them for their servicing and I’ve only heard good reports.

Any workshop should be able to do it, so I would take it to one who specialises in the type of vehicle you’re purchasing.So for a 4WD, somewhere like Nash Offroad (if they still exist – it’s just the first name I thought of).

MTA may be able to suggest/recommend point you in the right direction:
http://www.mtavehicleinspections.com.au/

NRMA no longer offer the service where they will go to the vehicle to inspect it, it has to be brought to them. This would be to the sellers great inconvenience.

State Roads were excellent when I bought a Sydney car. I didn’t even know they serviced Canberra.

As someone else mentioned, I am pretty sure NRMA offer that type of service. I know up in QLD that RACQ do it.

Who do you use for mehanical work/servicing now? If you area known customer they will probably look after you.

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