Take the guesswork out of buying a used car with our Melbourne vehicle inspection services
An inspection can help you make a smarter purchase and potentially reduce the risk of buying a car you regret, whether your looking in Melbourne, Victoria or interstate.
In any negotiation, knowledge is power, and buying a vehicle is no different. Having a car inspection report on the vehicle's general condition can be an excellent tool for negotiating a fair price.
Our used vehicle experts know what to check before you buy. Get an independent inspection and test drive to buy with more confidence.
Choose from cost-friendly lite vehicle safety check to a more in-depth pre-purchase analysis with video.
Economical
Top choice
Fastest
We'll refund or transfer your booking if the vehicle sells before your scheduled inspection.T&Cs apply.
Join thousands of Australians who have bought a RedBook Inspect pre-purchase inspection report before buying a used car.
Don't get left in the dark with a one-man shop. RBI's Australian-based customer support team are dedicated to delivering top-notch service.
Once mechanics, now exclusively used vehicle inspectors, our expert staff are trained on RBI's 15+ years of industry experience.
Don't settle for an ordinary tick-box inspection from your local Melbourne mechanic. Tailor your used car check with our smart buyer optional extras.
Checks written off, stolen status, finance check, reported odometer rollbacks, registration and warranty period.
Included in Standard & Ultimate packages, or added as an extra.
Seeing is believing. Get detailed videos of the vehicle's interior, exterior, engine bay, and any areas requiring special attention, all within the scope of the inspection.
Included in Ultimate package only.
Starting up the car and watching it run is an important step when inspecting a used vehicle. We’ll share that experience with you.
Included in Ultimate package, or added as an extra.
Take the opportunity to ask questions about the vehicle and discuss the inspector's findings over the phone.
Included in Standard & Ultimate packages only.
Simply make a booking right here or from one of our partners, like on a carsales listing.
Our team will contact the seller to arrange a convenient inspection time and keep you posted via email.
The report, including ratings, comments, and images, is sent directly after the inspection. If selected, the inspector will also call you to answer any questions.
Our pre-purchase packages have different inclusions. Begin booking a complete vehicle check to compare what's included in each of our pre-purchase packages.
Our inspectors can verify the build and compliance date, as well as vehicle details such as the badge, registration, and displayed odometer reading, giving you confidence in the seller’s claims.
We can assess the condition of components and test operating systems, including scanning for fault codes where possible. Whether you’re considering a vehicle with a combustion engine, an electric vehicle (EV), or a hybrid car, we can help you buy with greater confidence.
Top-to-bottom checks of the general interior and exterior condition, including air conditioning, locks, windows, accessories, panels, rust, and more (excluding the efficiency of these components).
Our experts assess the vehicle's performance with a test drive, conducting safety checks on key components. This is an essential step before purchasing a used car.
We utilise specialist tools to identify possible cosmetic repairs, providing insight into the vehicle’s past and potential issues, in addition to conducting a visual inspection to detect signs of accidents, hail, or flood damage.
RedBook Inspect conducts a safety check on the condition of the tyres, assessing remaining tread and identifying any damage. Additionally, we inspect the cosmetic condition of the wheels/rims and more. Faulty wheels and tyres can be costly to replace and dangerous for the unsuspecting driver.
Our inspection packages are subject to exclusions. See what is NOT included.
A pre-purchase car inspection is a professional evaluation of a vehicle's condition conducted before you buy it. This detailed assessment provides insights into the car's performance, safety, cosmetic condition, and ad accuracy, helping you make a more informed decision. Hiring an expert to inspect a vehicle before you buy it is a common practice for new car buyers and seasoned car enthusiasts alike, with RedBook Inspect providing inspection for thousands of Australians.
Red Book Inspect offers pre-purchase car inspections across Melbourne and surrounding suburbs, including Richmond, Dandenong, Footscray, Essendon, Box Hill and more. With over 15 years of experience, our team delivers detailed digital reports with star ratings, photos, and optional video walkthroughs to give you more confidence in your purchase. Whether you're buying a car privately or from a dealership, a pre-purchase inspection gives you more peace of mind and can save you from unexpected repair costs.
Unsure on what to know when buying a used vehicle? Book your inspection today to protect your investment and drive away with greater confidence!
When planning a vehicle inspection, costs can differ depending on the scope of the inspection, the level of detail included, and the quality of the report provided. Some inspections cover essential safety features, while others provide an in-depth assessment of mechanical operation and cosmetic conditions, offering a thorough overview. Every vehicle is unique, as are the needs of each customer. That’s why RedBook Inspect offers a variety of convenient and competitively priced pre-purchase inspection packages, backed by over 15 years of expertise assisting Australian buyers. Our services are available across Melbourne’s metro suburbs, including Richmond, Footscray, Dandenong, Essendon, and Box Hill.
RedBook Inspect offers three tailored pre-purchase inspection packages designed to suit a range of needs and budgets:
Lite Package: Ideal for budget-conscious buyers, this package focuses on essential safety components. It includes a test drive, inspection of key safety features, evaluation of the engine’s overall condition, and checks on tyres and wheels.
Standard Package: Building on the Lite package, this option delivers a detailed top-to-bottom inspection, including the interior, exterior, engine bay, repair damages, underbody, diagnostic scans (for compatible vehicles), and a road test. You’ll also receive a comprehensive digital report with star ratings, photos, and a CarFacts history report.
Ultimate Package: For those seeking the most thorough option, the Ultimate package includes everything in the Standard package plus a video walkthrough, providing an immersive understanding of the vehicle’s condition.
RedBook Inspect is Australia’s leading vehicle inspection service, trusted by top companies like NRMA, carsales, caravansales, trucksales, and bikesales. With over 15 years of experience, we provide mobile pre-purchase car inspections in Melbourne, as well as remote inspection services nationwide. Using state-of-the-art tools and technology, we deliver high quality inspection reports tailored to the needs of car buyers in Greater Melbourne and beyond.
Our expert mechanic inspectors and tailored inspection packages help inform your decisions when purchasing a used car, whether you’re in Melbourne’s CBD, Essendon, Greensborough, Dandenong, or anywhere else in the region. Accredited by key government agencies and trusted by major financial institutions, RedBook Inspect offers peace of mind and transparency, making us the top choice for used car inspections in Melbourne and across Australia.
Learn more about why RedBook Inspect is the best inspection service in Australia.
Whether you're interested in a vehicle located in a metro Melbourne, Geelong, Werribee, Pakenham, Craigieburn, Dandenong, we have a pre-purchase inspection solution for you. It doesn't matter if your looking at a vehicle at dealership, privately listed used car or any pre purchase inspection near me. Including suburbs such as Northcote, Greensborough, and Essendon and more.
If you're located in Victoria, particularly in key areas like Melbourne, Geelong, Tullamarine, Dandenong, Ballarat, South Melbourne, Richmond, Frankston, or Port Melbourne, RedBook Inspect is your trusted source for thorough and reliable vehicle inspections. Protect yourself from unforeseen issues and make an informed purchase with the help of RedBook Inspect.
Can I book a car inspection outside Melbourne, or inspection near me?
Yes, RedBook Inspect offers inspection services across most of Australia. Meaning you can buy a vehicle from anywhere in Australia. Go ahead and broaden your search, we've got you covered.
If we can't physically view a car due to distance, RedBook Inspect offers services across Australia, including the option to perform a Remote Video Assessment for vehicles in remote locations.
1. Once you've made a booking, a member of our inspection team will contact the seller to arrange a time and date for the inspection. This typically happens within 24 hours or one business day, though delays may occur during peak periods.
2. After the inspection is scheduled, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the inspection details and a reminder the day before.
3. On the day of the inspection, our inspector will arrive at the site and complete the inspection, which usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Learn more about timeframes of each stop of the process, how long will my inspection take.
4. Once the inspection is processed, the report will be emailed to you promptly.
You can check the progress of your inspection at anytime here.
Yes, we certainly think so! But, we're obviously biased. We recommend taking a look at our customer reviews and hearing how RedBook Inspect have saved buyers from purchasing a lemon. Our reports have uncovered hidden issues on used cars for sale in Melbourne and saved local buyers the headache of potential expensive repairs down the track.
Rav in Richmond was able to negotiate a better deal with the buyer after having a used car inspected by RedBook Inspect. The vehicle condition report highlighted a faulty battery and tyres with limited tread left. Rav was able to use the RedBook Inspect report to get the Essendon dealership to replace the battery and fit new tyres as part of the sale.
Drive your new used car with peace of mind, knowing it’s safe and reliable for you and your family.
Yes, RedBook Inspect regularly completes inspections on dealer vehicles for potential buyers across Melbourne, outer Melbourne like Geelong & Brighton or interstate. We make it easy for you, just tell us the car details and the dealership and we'll do the rest. After scheduling the vehicle inspection at the dealerships earliest connivence, a RedBook Inspect team member will travel out to the vehicle to complete the checks and generate a digital report on the cars condition.