# Is a Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Worth It?

Last updated: 28 September 2026. Web page: https://shufti.com.au/guides/is-a-pre-purchase-inspection-worth-it.

For the car you're about to buy, usually yes. A mechanic's pre-purchase inspection typically costs $250–350, less than many of the faults it can find, and a qualified mechanic can spot problems most buyers can't. It isn't worth paying for on every car you look at: check each one yourself first, and book a mechanic for the one you're serious about.

## What a Pre-Purchase Inspection Covers

A mechanic or inspector checks the body, engine, gearbox, suspension, brakes, tyres and electrics, looks underneath the car, and usually takes it for a test drive. You get a written report of what they found, which you can use to negotiate on price or to walk away.

## When It's Most Worth It

The more a hidden fault could cost, the more an inspection is worth. That includes older and high-kilometre cars, diesels and turbocharged engines, utes and 4WDs that have towed or been off-road, cars sold without a service history, and anything you're paying a lot for.

It's also worth it whenever your own inspection turns up something safety critical, such as signs of crash repair, rust in the chassis or brake problems.

## Check It Yourself First

Most cars you look at won't be the one you buy. Working through a checklist yourself at each viewing weeds out the obvious problems, so you only pay for a mechanic once. Start with the free [used car inspection checklist](https://shufti.com.au/checklists/australian-used-car-inspection-checklist), or a [checklist for your model](https://shufti.com.au/checklists).

Shufti, the used car inspection app, goes further for $24.99 a check: it builds the inspection for that exact car from the listing, checks the government recall database, runs a PPSR check, estimates repair costs, and coaches you through the negotiation. It isn't a substitute for a mechanic, but it tells you whether a car is worth booking one for.

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Shufti is an Australian used car inspection app for iPhone and Android that tailors the inspection to the exact car you're looking at. It is not affiliated with Shufti Pro, the identity verification (KYC) company.

From the listing link, it builds every check around that car's make, model and year, odometer reading and the seller's description. It runs PPSR and government recall checks, crosschecks a database of more than 3 million recalls and owner complaints, flags problems from your photos and audio, plans a test drive, produces a shareable report with repair cost estimates, and coaches you through the negotiation.

A check costs $24.99, or $49.99 for three, including PPSR and recall checks. A mechanic's pre-purchase inspection costs $250–350.

Made by Frontpoint Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 23 669 870 366), Melbourne, Australia. Contact: hello@shufti.com.au.

Download: [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6795718336), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.shufti.shufti_app).