Doesn't the seller's safety certificate cover it?
Only partly. In Queensland the seller must give you a current safety certificate, and only an approved inspection station can issue one. It looks at basic safety items on the day: tyres, brakes, steering, suspension, body rust or damage, the windscreen and lights.
The department is plain that this isn't a full mechanical inspection, and it points buyers to a motoring group for one. A pre-purchase inspection goes further, into the engine, cooling, transmission and what the service book says is coming due.
What to look at on a Sunshine Coast car
Beach 4WDs
Parts of Cooloola, north of Noosa, can only be reached in a four-wheel drive, and driving there needs a vehicle access permit. RACQ says to clean under a vehicle as soon as practical after the sand to keep rust and corrosion away. Ask the seller whether it's been on the beach and how it was washed afterwards, then ask the inspector to check the chassis, brake lines and suspension mounts.
Tow vehicles
A ute or 4WD that's pulled a boat or caravan has worked harder than its odometer suggests. RACV lists towing among the reasons to service more often, so check whether the book shows the shorter intervals or just the standard ones.
Cars from a wet climate
The coast is humid subtropical with no dry season, and Maleny is one of Queensland's wettest towns. Feel the carpets and the boot floor for damp, notice any musty smell, and ask the inspector to look for water where it shouldn't be.
Buying from Brisbane
Caloundra is about 90 km from the Brisbane CBD and Noosa Heads is 135 km north of Brisbane. If you're buying from down there, an inspection where the car sits can save a wasted trip, and NRMA notes that the buyer doesn't have to be there for its inspections.
How to set one up from the listing
Run a PPSR check
Use the VIN to check the Personal Property Securities Register for money owing, a write-off or a stolen record.
Ask for the service book
A stamped book shows regular servicing. NRMA says it can pay to ring the mechanic or dealer listed in it to check the records line up.
Arrange the inspection where the car is
Put the car's postcode in the card, not yours. For a mobile inspection, RAA asks for flat ground off a public road with room for a trolley jack, and some older or rare cars need a hoist at a workshop.
Read the report before you make an offer
Use what it finds to walk away or change your offer. Consumer Protection WA points out that a private buyer purchases at their own risk, without the Australian Consumer Law's protection, so the inspection is most of the cover you get.
What to ask the inspector
- Will the car go on a hoist, or is it a driveway inspection?
- Will you check underneath for salt corrosion on the chassis and brake lines?
- Is a road test included, and will you scan for stored fault codes?
- Will I get a written report with photos, and how soon after?
Our take
We'd treat the safety certificate as the seller's paperwork, not our inspection. For a beach 4WD or a tow vehicle, we'd have a mechanic look underneath before making any offer, and we'd walk away from a seller who won't allow it. Consumer Affairs Victoria gives the same advice about sellers who refuse an inspection.