What a Pre-Purchase Inspection Checks

By Ryan Schmidt, Porsche-trained Master Technician · 15 October 2026

A pre-purchase inspection is a thorough check by a qualified mechanic before you buy a used car. It covers the engine, transmission, brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, body, electronics and stored fault codes, plus a test drive and a review of the service history. You get a clear report on the car's condition and any repairs it's likely to need.

At Prestige Servicing, we do pre-purchase inspections at our Ashmore workshop, where we can put the car on a hoist and look at it properly. Here's what we check.

Engine and drivetrain

• Oil and coolant leaks, and the condition of the fluids
• Cold-start behaviour, idle quality, smoke and unusual noises
• Belts, hoses, mounts and the cooling system
• Gearbox and clutch operation, including DSG and PDK behaviour on European cars

Diagnostic scan

We plug in professional diagnostic equipment and read stored and pending fault codes in every module, not just the engine. A car can look perfect with no warning lights on and still have faults stored, or have had its codes cleared recently. On European cars this step often tells us the most.

Underneath on the hoist

• Suspension bushes, ball joints, shocks and steering components
• Exhaust condition
• Signs of accident repair, rust or flood damage, which is worth checking after storm seasons in South East Queensland
• CV joints, boots and driveshafts

Brakes and tyres

We measure pad and rotor thickness, check the brake fluid, and check tyre tread depth, age and wear patterns. Uneven tyre wear can point to suspension problems. Brakes and tyres are some of the most common costs a buyer misses. Learn more in signs your brakes need attention.

Body, interior and electrics

• Panel gaps and paint differences that suggest repairs
• Windows, locks, air conditioning, lights, infotainment and convertible roofs
• Water leaks and damp carpets

Road test

We drive the car to check how it steers, brakes and changes gears, and to listen for knocks, whines or vibrations.

Service history

We look through the logbook and invoices to make sure the car has been serviced on time. A gap in the history isn't always a deal-breaker, but it affects what you should plan to spend and how much you should offer. Read why it matters in our logbook servicing guide.

What you get

You get a plain-English rundown of what's good, what needs attention now, and what's coming up. You can use it to negotiate the price or walk away. If you buy the car, we can do any work it needs, backed by our 12-month or 20,000 km warranty on parts and repairs.

Buying a European car?

Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi repairs can be expensive, so an expert inspection pays for itself. Ryan is a Porsche-trained Master Technician and knows the common problems on these models. See our European car specialist page.

Ask the seller to bring the car to our workshop at Shop 13/511 Olsen Ave, Ashmore, across from the Hope service station and Aldi in Southport.