A pre-purchase inspection is an independent check done before you buy a used vehicle. GVI Service Centre in Penrose inspects the car on the hoist, takes it for a thorough road test, scans its fault codes and looks for accident repair and rust. On any electric vehicle we also run an AVILOO battery test, and you receive a detailed pre-purchase inspection report you can use to negotiate or walk away.
Buying a used car is one of the biggest purchases most people make, and the seller always knows more about the car than you do. An independent inspection puts an expert on your side before you commit. It can save you from a bad buy, or give you the evidence to negotiate a fair price.
Cars bought from a private seller usually come with far fewer protections than cars bought from a dealer, so a check beforehand is worth even more. Imported vehicles are our background at GVI, so we know what to look for on ex-Japan cars as well as locally new ones.
What we check
- A thorough road test: we take the vehicle out and drive it, checking how the engine or motor, transmission, brakes, steering and suspension behave on the road, and listening for noises, vibrations and pulling.
- Body and structure: signs of accident repair, uneven panel gaps, paint differences, rust and underbody damage.
- Underneath, on the hoist: leaks, suspension, steering, brakes, exhaust and driveline condition.
- Engine and transmission: leaks, noises, fluid condition and obvious wear.
- Fault scan: stored codes and warning lights, which can reveal faults the seller has not mentioned.
- Tyres and brakes: remaining life, wear patterns and condition.
- Electrics and comfort items: lights, windows, locks, air conditioning and accessories.
- Electric vehicles: an AVILOO battery test, plus the 12V battery and charging components.
Your detailed inspection report
When we have finished, you receive a detailed pre-purchase inspection report. It sets out what we found, what matters, what can wait and what it might mean for the price, so you can negotiate with confidence, ask the seller to put things right, or walk away.
Testing an EV battery with AVILOO
The battery is the most expensive part of an electric vehicle, and its condition is not obvious from the dashboard. Our AVILOO battery test tests and reports on the battery of all makes and models of EV, so you can see how much capacity the pack has retained instead of relying on the seller's word. Read more in our guide to EV battery health and on our EV and hybrid servicing page.
How it works
- You book before you buy. Tell us the make, model, year and rego of the car.
- Arrange a time with the seller to bring the vehicle to our Penrose workshop. If that is tricky, call us and we will talk through the options.
- We inspect it thoroughly: on the hoist, with a fault scan, a thorough road test and, for EVs, an AVILOO battery test.
- We send you the detailed report and talk you through it: the problems that matter, the problems that can wait and how they might affect the price.
Before you pay: other checks to do
An inspection tells you about the vehicle itself. It does not tell you about its paperwork, such as whether money is owed on it. Our used car checklist for New Zealand covers the history, finance and paperwork checks to do alongside the mechanical one.
Frequently asked questions
Do you road test the car?
Yes. Every pre-purchase inspection includes a thorough road test, as well as the check on the hoist and a fault scan. We drive it to see how it behaves on the road, not just how it looks standing still.
Will I get a written report?
Yes. You receive a detailed pre-purchase inspection report covering what we found, what matters, what can wait and what it might mean for the price.
Can you test the battery of any electric car?
Yes. Our AVILOO battery test tests and reports on the battery of all makes and models of EV, and the result goes into your report.
How long does an inspection take?
Allow enough time for the car to be properly lifted and checked, a fault scan, a thorough road test and, for an EV, the battery test. We will give you a time frame when you book.
Does a pre-purchase inspection replace a WOF?
No. A WOF is a pass-or-fail safety snapshot. A pre-purchase inspection looks deeper at the condition of the vehicle and what it is likely to need. A car can have a current WOF and still have expensive problems coming.
What if the inspection finds problems?
You decide what to do with the information. Many buyers use the report to negotiate the price down or to have the seller fix the issues, and others walk away. We can also quote the repairs so you know what you are taking on.
Do you inspect ex-Japan imports?
Yes. Imported vehicles are what Genuine Vehicle Imports is built on, and we know what to look for.