Booking A Pre-Purchase Inspection

Here at MTA, we highly recommend you book a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) when looking seriously at a used vehicle, irrespective of whether you are buying privately or through a dealer.

We know that buying a car can be an exciting time. It is also easy to become emotionally invested in a vehicle and as a result miss any issues it may have. It makes sense to get it checked before you buy.

Booking a PPI through MTA assured repairers and dealers can give you peace of mind and could reveal issues with the car that you or even the seller may be unaware of. Not to be confused with a WoF (Warrant of Fitness) which is a safety check and a legal requirement that needs to be completed by the seller; a pre-purchase is an inspection that addresses the overall functionality of the vehicle.

A trained mechanic will complete a thorough check of the condition of the vehicle and inform the prospective buyer about its status. They will check the engine, brakes, steering, tyres, interior, body work, and the exterior, and test drive it to check its operation observing closely for any unexpected noises, clicks and rattles. You will then receive a written report on what they found which will highlight any problems.

Although PPI is most commonly booked for car purchases, it can be completed for all sorts of vehicles – motorbikes, campervans, the lot!

The inspection typically costs around $100 - $220 (depending on how comprehensive it is) but could save you a lot of money in the long run. It is much better to know about any problems before you become the owner of the vehicle.

There are a number of providers in the market, but if you have a regular mechanic that you trust, that could be the best place to get your inspection done. For all MTA assured repairers and dealers check out our Find a Member section.