Pre-Purchase Inspections
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Book a Pre Purchase Inspection
Please allow a minimum of 2 business days. If you require a service sooner, please call us at 0800 522 734.
Need it sooner? Same-day inspections are often available. Call 0800 522 734.
Pre-Purchase Inspections in West Auckland
A pre-purchase inspection from KAAR tells you what you’re really buying before you hand over your money. You want to buy a car but know nothing about engines and electronics or any of that other mechanical stuff? That’s where a KAAR pre-purchase inspection comes to your rescue, at our Henderson or Avondale workshop.
Why Use KAAR to Inspect Your Car?
A full pre-purchase vehicle inspection will give peace of mind and an assurance that you and the seller are getting a fair deal. Consumer Protection’s checklist for buying a used car recommends having the car inspected as part of your checks before you buy.
Each one of KAAR’s auto technicians is fully trained, and a part of an ongoing motor mechanic training programme. With years of experience and expertise, covering all manner of faults on all models and makes of vehicle, we know what to look for when inspecting a car, van, 4×4 or light commercial.
Here's How a KAAR Pre-Purchase Inspection Works
It’s simple: you drop it in, or arrange for the seller to bring it to our location. We’ll give it a thorough, top to bottom, on-hoist vehicle inspection. That includes pointing out the good features, and the not so good features.
If there are faults with the vehicle, we’ll let you know, and if repairs are required, we can give you an idea of what they will cost. A pre-purchase inspection gives you bargaining power with the seller, and you can be confident that you’re both getting the best possible deal.
How Much Does a KAAR Pre-Purchase Inspection Cost?
| Top to bottom, on-hoist pre-purchase inspection | Included |
| All 10 inspection areas listed below | Included |
| An idea of repair costs if faults are found | Included |
| Total (incl. GST) | $195.00 |
That’s great value for the peace of mind an independent vehicle inspection gives.
How long does a pre-purchase inspection take?
Allow about 2 to 3 hours. We prefer you drop the vehicle off, because that gives us time to inspect it properly and work out a price for any repairs needed to bring it up to standard. That price gives you something solid to negotiate with.
You’re welcome to wait. Let us know when you book so we can have an inspector and a hoist ready. For the fastest turnaround, arrive at 8:00am, 10:15am or 12:30pm, and allow around 2 hours. We have a waiting area with free WiFi, and there are plenty of good cafés a short walk away.
Need it done today? Buying a car often can’t wait two days. In many cases we can fit a pre-purchase inspection in the same day, so the best thing to do is call us on 0800 522 734.
Hybrid and electric vehicles
Every pre-purchase inspection includes a diagnostic scan for stored fault codes and a basic battery check. On a hybrid or electric vehicle, the high-voltage battery is the most expensive part of the car, and its condition can make or break the purchase.
For extra peace of mind, add a full battery health check (state of health, or SOH) to your inspection:
- Hybrid battery health check: $140 to $240 incl GST, on top of the inspection
- EV battery health check: $150 to $300 incl GST, on top of the inspection
Ask for the battery health check when you book. Buying a used hybrid or EV? Read our guide to the precautions when buying a second-hand hybrid or EV.
Buying a car? Get it checked first
$195 incl GST at Henderson or Avondale. Allow 2 to 3 hours, and same-day inspections are often available if you call.
What Does a KAAR Pre-Purchase Inspection Cover?
10 Inspection Areas
A KAAR vehicle inspection includes:
Every inspection also includes a diagnostic scan for stored fault codes and a basic battery check.
- 01ExteriorWe’ll ensure all lights are working as they should, the bodywork is sound, and there is no evidence of damage that may indicate a prior accident.
- 02InteriorWe’ll ensure all interior features of the vehicle are functioning as they should, including dashboard lights.
- 03Underneath the vehicleYou can tell a lot from a detailed inspection of a car’s chassis. We’ll ensure it is straight and shows no signs of damage or rust.
- 04BrakesWe’ll ensure both foot and handbrake are functioning as they should, and that the brake hoses and overall braking system are working well.
- 05MotorIt’s not just about whether a motor runs well; it’s about the engine mountings, oil seals and more. We’ll ensure these are performing as they should and not showing potentially expensive wear and tear.
- 06Radiator / cooling systemRadiator hoses, thermostat, water pump and more. We’ll examine them all to make sure they are working well and that there are no surprises later on.
- 07Exhaust systemCatalytic converter, exhaust manifold, muffler: the names may not mean much to you, but they all show wear and tear over time. We’ll check them over and ensure they are in sound condition.
- 08Electronics / electrical systemBattery, lights, dashboard gauges and lights all get a thorough check as part of our pre-purchase vehicle appraisal.
- 09Steering systemWe’ll ensure all parts of the car’s steering system are safe and functioning as they should.
- 10Transmission / gearsWhether it’s an automatic or a manual, we’ll inspect the car’s transmission and ensure it is functioning properly.
What Does a KAAR
Inspection NOT Cover?
While we can gain a very good indication of any faults a car may have, no inspection can provide a 100% guarantee. This is because, at an inspection of this type, we cannot dismantle and look inside mechanical components such as wheel bearings, crankshaft, pistons, engine bearings, etc.
What we promise is to identify any obvious issues or potential issues with the vehicle you intend to purchase.
Book online now or phone 0800 522 734.
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Committed To Quality
“With two convenient West Auckland locations, Henderson and Avondale, KAAR is the place to go for Auckland vehicle repairs. Our fully equipped vehicle workshops and professional team of service technicians.”
Kelvin Armstrong
