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Choose from 2 types of vehicle inspections
1. Pre-purchase inspections
Our expert mechanics check your car before you buy to help you make an informed decision. This inspection includes a visual external examination of components.
2. Comprehensive inspection
Get your vehicle checked before your warranty expires. This inspection includes a visual external examination of components and a detailed inspection of brakes. We recommend this for 4WDs, SUVs and bigger cars.
Inspection costs are set by our auto centre partners. Contact them for more details.
RACV Member-exclusive guarantee
Members get an exclusive 30-day mechanical guarantee on all vehicle inspections*. Terms and conditions apply.
What we look for
During the inspection our expert mechanics assess if anything needs fixing and how soon:
How it works
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Book an inspection at an auto centre
Contact your preferred centre directly to book. Choose from more than 50 RACV-Accredited Auto Care Centres across Victoria.
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Qualified mechanics check your vehicle
Bring your vehicle to the RACV-accredited auto centre. Qualified experts check the condition of your vehicle.
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You get a report with clear advice
Our handy ‘traffic light guide’ helps you decide what to do. The ultimate decision is yours.
Understanding the report
Your report includes a ‘traffic light guide’ to help you decide whether to buy the vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
You can get a pre-purchase or comprehensive vehicle inspection done at any auto and service centre who is part of the RACV-Accredited Auto Care Centre program.
To book in your inspection, contact the auto centre directly and bring in your vehicle at the agreed time.
There are more than 50 RACV-accredited locations across Victoria. Find your nearest auto centre.
The cost of the inspection is set by our RACV-Accredited Auto Care Centre partners. Contact them directly to enquire about the cost and to book your inspection.
At RACV we partner with auto service and repair centres to offer specific guarantees under our RACV-accredited Auto Care Centre program.
The centres we partner with and provide RACV accreditation to, commit to:
- delivering services efficiently and responsibly under the supervision of competent and qualified staff
- maintaining the highest standards of quality and professionalism
- providing a written estimate of repair costs for labour and materials on request
- seeking express authorisation if the cost of the repair work is likely to exceed the estimate by 10%
- performing duties with honesty and integrity
- continually striving to improve the quality of service
- guarantee the effectiveness of repairs under normal operating conditions for 12 months or 20,000kms (whichever occurs first).
Terms and conditions
Important information about the 30-day mechanical guarantee.
RACV Members receive a 30-day mechanical guarantee on all vehicle inspections, subject to the following conditions:
- This guarantee is only available to current RACV Members.
- The member must contact the RACV Accredited Auto Care Centre where the inspection was completed (the "Inspecting AACC") prior to having any repair work carried out.
- Repairs must be authorised by the Inspecting AACC, or RACV, prior to work being undertaken.
- All repairs are to be conducted at an approved RACV Accredited Auto Care Centre (the "Repairer”). The Repairer may be the Inspecting AACC (at the member’s discretion).
- The member must have the vehicle repaired within 30 days of approving the repairs.
- The member must pay the Repairer for the full cost of repairs and submit the statement of work and paid invoice to the Inspecting AACC. The Inspecting AACC, upon checking the statement of work and invoice, will reimburse the member for the cost of repair up to the value of $1000 for pre-purchase inspections and $2000 for comprehensive inspections.
- The mechanical fault must occur within 30 days from the date of the inspection (“the guarantee period”).
- All claims under the guarantee must be notified to the Inspecting AACC within seven days of the expiry of the guarantee period. Claims notified more than seven days after the expiry date of the guarantee period will not be accepted.
- The member can make claims under the guarantee up to the limit of the mechanical guarantee ($1000 for pre-purchase inspections and $2000 for comprehensive inspections).
- The guarantee excludes any items repaired after the inspection; consumables (such as engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, tyres, lighting and batteries); pre-existing faults identified as Observation, Early, Immediate, or Warranty in the inspection report; any item covered under a valid dealer statutory warranty; and any non-mechanical items including body work.
Check the RACV vehicle inspections terms and conditions for more information, or to check which type of inspection is right for your vehicle.
Preparing to purchase
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