Buying a used car
Buying a used car? Get it professionally inspected before you spend your money. Hidden mechanical problems can turn a good deal into an expensive mistake.
Buying a used car can be exciting, but hidden mechanical problems can quickly turn a good deal into an expensive mistake. A vehicle may look clean, sound good when started and drive well on a short test drive, yet still have underlying mechanical, electrical or safety issues.
At Tui Torque Motors Ltd, trading as Car Master Automotive, we help you make a more informed decision before you buy. Our pre-purchase vehicle inspection assesses the vehicle's visible condition, identifies potential mechanical concerns and gives you a clear report of our findings.
Whether you're buying your first car, upgrading the family vehicle, or looking at a European car, hybrid, SUV, ute or commercial van, a professional inspection helps you understand what you're buying before you commit your hard-earned money.
Quick answer
A pre-purchase inspection is an independent check of a used car before you buy it: engine and fluids, brakes, suspension, steering, tyres, bodywork, interior, a road test, and a battery health and cranking test with a printed report. It helps you spot problems, negotiate the price or walk away. It can't guarantee the car will never develop a fault, so we explain what we find and what's still unknown. Call or text 022 095 0555 for pricing.
Why it matters
A used vehicle can have problems that aren't obvious to an untrained eye. Worn suspension components, fluid leaks, damaged tyres, battery problems, engine warning codes and transmission concerns may not show in how the car looks. A pre-purchase inspection helps identify visible defects and potential mechanical issues before you finalise the purchase.
A pre-purchase inspection can't guarantee a vehicle will never develop a fault, but it can help reduce the risk of buying a vehicle with existing problems that go unnoticed.
What's included
We carry out a comprehensive visual inspection of the key areas of the vehicle. The exact checks depend on the vehicle type, accessibility and inspection scope. Here's what each part covers, and what it can't tell you.
1. Engine
The engine is one of the most important and potentially expensive components to repair, so we visually inspect the accessible areas for signs of trouble.
Our checks may include:
Spotting a visible leak, unusual noise or warning light early lets you investigate before you buy. A visual inspection doesn't confirm the internal condition of the engine, so we may recommend further diagnostic testing if we find concerns.
2. Transmission
Transmission repairs can be expensive, so it's important to assess how the vehicle operates before you buy.
Where applicable, our inspection may include:
Some transmission problems only show when the vehicle is hot, under heavy load or in specific conditions. A standard inspection may not identify every developing fault, and we may recommend further specialist testing where needed.
3. Undercarriage
Suspension, steering, braking and undercarriage components all play an important role in safety and handling.
Where accessible, we inspect relevant components for visible wear, damage or leakage, including:
If we find worn bushes, damaged components, visible leaks or other concerns, we can explain what we saw and advise whether further investigation or repairs may be needed.
4. Brakes
A vehicle's braking system is essential for your safety and the safety of other road users. We check accessible brake components for visible wear or damage, including brake pads and rotors where accessible, and we note any apparent braking concerns during an appropriate road test.
This isn't a guarantee of remaining brake life or braking performance in every condition, and we may recommend further measurements or testing if required. If you'd like to know what brake problems look like once you own the car, see our guide to the 8 brake warning signs.
5. Tyres
Tyres affect braking, grip, stability and overall safety, and replacing a set after you've bought a used car can be a significant expense.
Our tyre inspection may include:
Uneven tyre wear can point to wheel alignment issues, suspension wear or other underlying problems that may need further investigation. Our guide on when to replace car tyres explains the warning signs.
6. Exterior
A vehicle's bodywork can give useful clues about its history and condition.
We inspect the exterior for visible signs of:
A visual inspection can't establish a vehicle's full accident history or confirm it has never been in a collision. Previous repairs or structural damage may need specialist assessment and access to additional records.
7. Interior
We also check relevant interior components and visible features.
These checks help you understand the vehicle's general interior condition and spot apparent issues before you buy.
8. Road test
Where it's safe, legal and permitted by the inspection scope, a road test helps us assess how the vehicle operates under normal driving conditions.
The road test may cover:
A road test depends on road, vehicle and safety conditions. It can't replicate every driving situation or guarantee that intermittent faults will be detected.
Battery report
Know more about the battery before you buy the car. One of the most useful parts of our inspection is a battery health and cranking test, where applicable. A battery can look normal but struggle to start the engine, especially in cold weather or after the car has been sitting unused, and a weak battery can also cause misleading electrical symptoms.
We can carry out a battery test and provide a printed battery health and cranking test report, so you understand the battery's observed condition at the time of inspection. Depending on the battery tester and vehicle system, the report may include:
The printed report gives you something tangible to review alongside the inspection findings. A battery test reflects the results at the time of testing. It doesn't guarantee future battery life, and results can be affected by battery type, temperature, charge level and vehicle-specific requirements.
Hybrids and EVs: the 12V auxiliary battery is different from the high-voltage traction battery. A standard battery and cranking test doesn't establish the health of the high-voltage battery, which needs a separate specialist assessment. Our guide to hybrid battery problems covers the warning signs.
Diagnostic scan
Modern vehicles rely on electronic control units and sensors to manage the engine, transmission, safety features and more. Where it's included in the inspection package or arranged as an additional service, a diagnostic scan (from $60 +GST) may help identify:
A scan is a useful tool, but it doesn't automatically identify every mechanical problem. Some faults don't trigger a code, and a stored code doesn't necessarily confirm that a particular component has failed. Where we find a concern, further testing may be needed to establish the underlying cause.
Optional extras
Depending on the vehicle and what you need, additional tests are available at extra cost. Ask us about availability and pricing when you book.
Compares the cranking patterns of the engine's cylinders to help identify possible differences in compression. It's a screening test rather than a complete diagnosis, and further compression or leak-down testing may be required.
Checks the cooling system for combustion gases and may help identify a head gasket leak or related combustion-to-coolant problem. Worth discussing if you have concerns about overheating or unexplained coolant loss. A negative result doesn't rule out every possible fault.
For applicable hybrid vehicles, a separate assessment may help evaluate the high-voltage battery: estimated remaining capacity or health indicators, battery-related fault codes, and cell or block voltage differences where supported. Requirements vary by make and model, and a result can't guarantee future battery life.
The report
An inspection should help you understand the vehicle's condition, not leave you confused by technical terms. Afterwards we give you a report of our findings covering the checks performed and any concerns identified, and where appropriate we explain what they mean and recommend further investigation. Our findings may highlight:
Apparent safety-related defects, significant leaks or other concerns that should be assessed before the vehicle is driven or purchased.
Worn tyres, deteriorated bushes, visible fluid leaks or other maintenance needs you can plan and price into your offer.
Some faults can't be confirmed visually. We may recommend specialist diagnostics, additional mechanical testing, a structural assessment or a more detailed inspection.
Our goal is to help you make a better-informed purchasing decision based on the evidence available at the time of inspection.
Is it worth it?
Picture buying a used vehicle without checking its condition. Afterwards you discover worn suspension bushes, a weak battery, damaged tyres, an engine oil leak or a transmission problem, and face repair costs that could have been identified or investigated earlier.
A pre-purchase inspection is an investment in information. It helps you compare vehicles, understand likely maintenance needs, identify concerns before you commit, and avoid deciding on appearance or a seller's assurances alone. Even if the car passes, the report shows its current observed condition and helps you plan future maintenance. And once you've bought it, our guide to preventive maintenance helps you keep it that way.
No inspection can guarantee a problem-free vehicle, but getting the right checks before you buy is a sensible step towards reducing uncertainty.
Why us
At Tui Torque Motors Ltd, trading as Car Master Automotive, we provide inspection and repair services for drivers who want practical, professional advice. We focus on:
We want you to understand the vehicle you're considering, including its visible condition, potential repair needs and any concerns that deserve further investigation.
Common questions
Pricing depends on the vehicle and any optional extra tests, so call or text 022 095 0555 for a quote and we'll confirm the price before we start. Our standard diagnostic scan, one of the optional extras, is $60 +GST.
No. An inspection can't guarantee that a vehicle will never develop a fault, and a visual and road-test check can't confirm the internal condition of sealed components. What it does is help reduce the risk of buying a car with existing problems that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Where it is safe, legal and permitted by the inspection scope, yes. A road test lets us assess driving performance, gearbox operation, unusual noises, steering and handling, and any apparent braking concerns. It can't replicate every driving situation or guarantee that intermittent faults will be detected.
No. A standard battery and cranking test covers the 12V battery only. The high-voltage hybrid or EV battery is a separate system, and a separate hybrid battery health test may be available for applicable vehicles.
A combustion-gas (head gasket) test is available as an optional extra. It checks the cooling system for combustion gases and is worth discussing if you have concerns about overheating or unexplained coolant loss. A negative result does not rule out every possible head gasket or cooling system fault.
Not fully. We inspect the exterior for visible signs of crash or accident damage, but a visual inspection can't establish a vehicle's full accident history. Previous repairs or structural damage may need specialist assessment and access to additional records.
A report of our findings covering the checks performed and any concerns identified. We explain what they mean in plain English and sort them into issues needing prompt attention, maintenance or repairs to budget for, and areas that need further investigation, so you can decide whether to buy, negotiate or walk away.
Book an inspection
Found a used car you're interested in? Before you commit, arrange a pre-purchase inspection with Car Master Automotive. Whether it's a hatchback, sedan, SUV, ute, European vehicle, hybrid or commercial van, we can discuss the right inspection for your vehicle and requirements.
Don't rely on appearance alone. Check the vehicle, review the findings and make an informed decision.
We're at Unit 2, 69 Wiri Station Road, Wiri, Auckland 2104. Call or text 022 095 0555 to discuss availability, inclusions and pricing, or see the full pre-purchase inspection service.
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