The good news: you’ve got two main ways to do it. You can book a mobile car inspection (the mechanic comes to the car) or a workshop inspection (you bring the car to the mechanic). Both have their place, but they suit very different situations.
📊 Why this decision matters: Australians bought over 2.3 million used cars in 2024, with the average used car priced at around $37,000. The ACCC received over 1,000 complaints about second-hand cars in 2024–25, with 80%+ relating to consumer guarantee failures. The right inspection — done before you sign — is the single most effective protection you have. (Source: AADA)
One inspection can save you $10,000+
What Is a Mobile Car Inspection?
A mobile mechanic travels to wherever the car is located, whether that’s a private seller’s driveway, a dealer lot, or a shopping centre car park.
Key features
- The inspector comes to the car's location. No transport needed.
- Full inspection carried out on-site using professional portable equipment
- Verbal report delivered on the spot, written report to follow
- Available across Sydney and Melbourne
- Same-day bookings are often available
We come to the car. Results the same day.
What Is a Workshop Inspection?
Key features
- Full hoist access for undercarriage inspection
- Complete workshop tooling available
- Requires you to arrange the transport of the car to the premises
- Better suited to cars you already own
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Mobile Inspection | Workshop Inspection |
|---|---|---|
| Comes to the car | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Suitable before purchase | ✅ Ideal | ⚠️ Difficult |
| Same-day availability | ✅ Often | ⚠️ Varies |
| Hoist access | ⚠️ Ground-level undercarriage check | ✅ Full hoist |
| Equipment quality | ✅ Professional portable tools | ✅ Full workshop tools |
| Cost | ✅ Comparable | ✅ Comparable |
| Convenience | ✅ High | ❌ Low (need to transport) |
| Best for | Pre-purchase inspections | Post-purchase / known issues |
When Mobile Inspection Is the Better Choice
Mobile inspections suit the vast majority of used car buyers. Here's when it's clearly the right call :
- You haven’t bought the car yet
This is the most common scenario. You can’t legally drive a car you don’t own to a workshop, and asking a private seller to transport their car for you is unrealistic.
- The car is at a private seller’s home or a dealer’s lot
The inspector comes to the car, wherever it is.
- You want same-day results
Mobile bookings often turn around within 24 hours.
- The car is in a suburb far from workshops
No need to find a mechanic near the seller’s location.
- You want to be present during the inspection
You can stand alongside the mechanic, ask questions in real time, and hear the verbal findings on the spot.
For a pre purchase car inspection, mobile is almost always the practical choice.
When a Workshop Inspection Makes Sense
- You already own the car and want a thorough diagnostic on a known issue.
- A specific mechanical problem needs hoist access to be investigated properly, such as a suspected chassis crack or exhaust fault that's hard to reach at ground level.
- You need specialist equipment that isn't available in the field, such as a four-wheel alignment rack or a specialist transmission diagnostic tool.
What Does a Mobile Car Inspection Actually Cover?
A thorough mobile pre-purchase car inspection covers well over 200 individual checkpoints. Here's what's typically included :
- Body and paint : Panel condition, signs of previous accident repair, rust, and detecting paint repairs
- Engine bay: Oil leaks, coolant condition, belts, hoses, battery
- Underbody : Suspension, steering components, brake lines, exhaust, chassis condition
- Interior : All electrics, air conditioning, instruments, seat belts, airbag warning lights
- Tyres and brakes : Tread depth, wear patterns, brake pad and disc condition
- Road test : Transmission behaviour, engine performance, steering, braking
- OBD diagnostic scan : Fault codes read from the vehicle's computer
The inspector delivers a verbal report on the spot and a detailed written report with photos shortly after.
GPS Vehicle Inspections also offers specialist hybrid car inspection and EV battery health check services for buyers considering electric or hybrid vehicles. These require specific diagnostic tools that our mobile mechanics carry on-site.
Check our inspection pricing for a full breakdown by vehicle type.
Know exactly what you're buying before you pay.
Common Myths About Mobile Inspections
Myth 1 — "Mobile inspectors can't check underneath the car properly"
Myth 2 — "A mobile inspection is less thorough than a workshop inspection"
Myth 3 — "It takes longer"
25 years of experience. At the car. On your schedule.
GPS Vehicle Inspections: Sydney & Melbourne Mobile Service
GPS Vehicle Inspections provides on-site automotive inspection services across Sydney and Melbourne, carried out by experienced mechanics with over 25 years of industry knowledge.
Bookings are typically completed within 24 hours. The inspector attends the car’s location, whether that’s a private seller’s home, a dealership, or a car park. You can be present for the entire inspection.
- Mobile car inspection Sydney - covering the greater Sydney metro area
- Mobile car inspection Melbourne - covering Melbourne suburbs and surrounds
