Vehicle Inspections
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Members save 15% on the RRP -
Workshop or mobile inspections available -
Qualified, independent automotive technicians -
Multiple inspection types
RAA is South Australia’s trusted inspection specialist
Whether you’re buying a new or used car, have a warranty that’s about to expire, or just want to check your vehicle’s in tip-top condition, an RAA vehicle inspection can give you peace of mind.
With more than 90 years of inspection experience, RAA continues to provide reassurance for thousands of South Australians every year.
Inspections can be carried out by mechanics at RAA’s Mile End workshop, at one of our Approved Vehicle Inspection Centres in regional SA, or we can come to you.
RAA members save on more than 30 types of vehicle inspection, plus we offer our members free headlight aiming checks.
What type of inspection do you need?
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Pre-purchase inspections
Before you buy a car, we can help you make an informed decision.
Buying a new or used car?
Whether you’re looking to buy a new or used car, RAA’s experienced inspectors will provide a detailed report on the vehicle’s condition. This will help you drive a better deal and save you from nasty surprises down the track.
What do we inspect?
Download our Inspection contents overview form (PDF, 594 KB).
- Pre-purchase Total Care inspection from $308 (Member price)
- Pre-purchase Mechanical inspection from $283 (Member price)
Compare our pre-purchase vehicle inspections.
Inspections are available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm, except public holidays.
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Warranty inspections
Find any faults you shouldn’t have to pay for, before your warranty expires.
Buying from a dealership?
Most cars bought from a dealer are covered by a warranty.* Before it expires, our vehicle inspection experts can find any problems that are covered by the warranty, so your dealer can take care of the issue.
What do we inspect?
Download our Inspection contents overview form (PDF, 594 KB).
- Used Car Warranty inspection from $268 (Member price)
- New Car Warranty inspection from $293 (Member price)
Inspections are available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm, except public holidays.
*If you've bought a vehicle from a dealer, which is less than 15 years old and has fewer than 200,000km on the odometer, it would normally be covered by the warranty provisions of the South Australia Second-hand Vehicle Dealers Act 1995. This warranty gives protection for:
i. 2 months or 3,000km (whichever comes first) if the vehicle cost $3,001 – $6,000.
ii. 3 months or 5,000km (whichever comes first) if the vehicle cost over $6,000.
To obtain the full benefits of these statutory warranty provisions, we recommend you get the vehicle checked by us before the end of its statutory warranty period. Thay way, if any faults have developed since it was purchased, we can find them and let you know, as the licensed dealer has a duty to repair under Part 4 Section 18 of the Act.
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Owner inspections
An Owner Vehicle Condition Report can help check if your car’s in good nick.
Want to know the current condition of your vehicle?
There are all kinds of reasons for wanting to know the current condition of your vehicle. Perhaps you’re planning a long road trip, preparing it for sale, or passing it onto a loved one.
The peace of mind that comes with knowing the state of your vehicle is worth the investment.
What do we inspect?
Download our Inspection contents overview form (PDF, 594 KB).
Owner Vehicle Condition Report from $268 (Member price)
Inspections are available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm, except public holidays.
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Specialty inspections
From checking the accuracy of your speedo to diagnosing a single fault, RAA offers a variety of inspection types.
RAA provides more than 30 inspection types
Our qualified technicians are here to help with:
- Taxi and Rideshare inspections
- checking speedometer accuracy
- vehicle valuations
- diagnosing a fault
- NSW and NT roadworthy checks (Call to book)
- and lots of other speciality inspections.
View our full list of specialised inspection types
Specialised inspections from $98 (Member price)
Inspections are available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm, except public holidays.
Before you buy a car, we can help you make an informed decision.
Buying a new or used car?
Whether you’re looking to buy a new or used car, RAA’s experienced inspectors will provide a detailed report on the vehicle’s condition. This will help you drive a better deal and save you from nasty surprises down the track.
What do we inspect?
Download our Inspection contents overview form (PDF, 594 KB).
- Pre-purchase Total Care inspection from $308 (Member price)
- Pre-purchase Mechanical inspection from $283 (Member price)
Compare our pre-purchase vehicle inspections.
Inspections are available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm, except public holidays.
Find any faults you shouldn’t have to pay for, before your warranty expires.
Buying from a dealership?
Most cars bought from a dealer are covered by a warranty.* Before it expires, our vehicle inspection experts can find any problems that are covered by the warranty, so your dealer can take care of the issue.
What do we inspect?
Download our Inspection contents overview form (PDF, 594 KB).
- Used Car Warranty inspection from $268 (Member price)
- New Car Warranty inspection from $293 (Member price)
Inspections are available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm, except public holidays.
*If you've bought a vehicle from a dealer, which is less than 15 years old and has fewer than 200,000km on the odometer, it would normally be covered by the warranty provisions of the South Australia Second-hand Vehicle Dealers Act 1995. This warranty gives protection for:
i. 2 months or 3,000km (whichever comes first) if the vehicle cost $3,001 – $6,000.
ii. 3 months or 5,000km (whichever comes first) if the vehicle cost over $6,000.
To obtain the full benefits of these statutory warranty provisions, we recommend you get the vehicle checked by us before the end of its statutory warranty period. Thay way, if any faults have developed since it was purchased, we can find them and let you know, as the licensed dealer has a duty to repair under Part 4 Section 18 of the Act.
An Owner Vehicle Condition Report can help check if your car’s in good nick.
Want to know the current condition of your vehicle?
There are all kinds of reasons for wanting to know the current condition of your vehicle. Perhaps you’re planning a long road trip, preparing it for sale, or passing it onto a loved one.
The peace of mind that comes with knowing the state of your vehicle is worth the investment.
What do we inspect?
Download our Inspection contents overview form (PDF, 594 KB).
Owner Vehicle Condition Report from $268 (Member price)
Inspections are available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm, except public holidays.
From checking the accuracy of your speedo to diagnosing a single fault, RAA offers a variety of inspection types.
RAA provides more than 30 inspection types
Our qualified technicians are here to help with:
- Taxi and Rideshare inspections
- checking speedometer accuracy
- vehicle valuations
- diagnosing a fault
- NSW and NT roadworthy checks (Call to book)
- and lots of other speciality inspections.
View our full list of specialised inspection types
Specialised inspections from $98 (Member price)
Inspections are available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm, except public holidays.
How does RAA rate an inspected vehicle?
Our comprehensive vehicle inspection reports are easy to understand, featuring a simple traffic light system to give a general overview of the vehicle following an inspection.
The traffic light guide below relates to the vehicle's condition at the time of inspection and does not take into consideration age, distance shown on the odometer, statutory warranty, or the purchasing or changeover price of the vehicle. Where warranty is mentioned, it’s based on the manufacturer's new vehicle warranty, or the warranty provided in accordance with the South Australian Second Hand Motor Vehicle Dealer Act, NOT extended warranties offered or sold by dealers.
The RAA vehicle inspection traffic light guide
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Stop
The cost of repairs and/or the risk of future reliability/safety should be considered against the value of this vehicle and long term ownership, unless it's intended for restoration and all costs are taken into consideration.
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Caution
If reported defects are repaired effectively and regular servicing is maintained, the vehicle should provide reliable service.
If purchasing privately or without South Australian "Dealer Statutory Warranty", think about factoring the cost of repairs into your purchase price.
If buying from a dealership, roadworthy defects must be repaired at the dealer’s expense prior to sale.
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Go
Any items reported should only require routine maintenance, adjustment or minor repair to maintain reliable service.
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Do you live in the country?
Many of these inspections are available at our RAA Approved Vehicle Inspection Centres – local automotive businesses in regional SA. -
Business and fleet inspections
RAA also offers inspections for businesses, taxis and rideshare vehicles. -
NSW and NT roadworthy checks
We are the only organisation in SA authorised to undertake NSW and NT roadworthy checks.
Frequently asked questions
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How long does a vehicle inspection take?
There are a number of different inspections of varying complexity and duration, and the type of car being inspected may also impact the duration. However, for our most common pre-purchase inspection you should allow up to 2 hours.
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What qualifications do RAA vehicle inspectors have?
All our inspectors must have a minimum of 5 years’ post-trade apprenticeship experience, and hold a full trade qualification in Australia.
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Do you inspect electric and hybrid vehicles?
We’re confident we can find an inspection that’s right for you. Vehicle technology is constantly evolving, and hybrid and electric vehicles are at the forefront of change in the industry. Unlike the combustion engine, these technologies are quite different across manufacturers, so we may need to discuss options with you when you’re booking.
Access a world of benefits
Find out more in sa move – the RAA magazine
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Saturday 9am to 12pm -
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Find answers to frequently asked questions, access key documents and more
Things you should know
Terms and conditions:
Keep in mind that prices may change due to things like unexpected difficulties with the vehicle, removal of parts and covers, or the need for additional workshop facilities. Take a moment to read the Terms and Conditions (PDF, 590 KB) that may apply to your type of inspection.
What do we inspect? Download our Inspection contents overview form (PDF, 594 KB).
Find a dealer:
If you’re looking to buy a car through a dealer, you don’t have to be an RAA member to access a vehicle inspection report. A car that’s been inspected by RAA will have signage on its windscreen, so be sure to ask your dealer for a copy of the report.
View our list of car dealers that stock RAA inspected vehicles.