Vehicle inspections checklist

VIN is an international system for identifying motor vehicles and is required under Australian Design Rules. It is a combination of letters and numbers to identify its individual characteristics, for example, model code, engine, transmission, series, luxury level and body style. 

The VIN is 17 digits long and generally located on the body of the vehicle, under the bonnet, at the bottom of the windscreen on the passenger side or along the driver’s or front passengers side door closure area. 

The numbers shown on the Certificate of Registration must match the engine and VIN numbers on the car. Be aware of any signs of interference such as scratches, grind marks or drill holes. These may indicate illegal tampering with the numbers and the vehicle. 

A motor vehicle build date is the date that vehicle was built at the factory, either locally or overseas. This is usually determined as the date of manufacture.  

This date can be different from the model year (MY) of a vehicle. The MY of a vehicle is determined by the manufacturer and usually relates to the features included in the vehicle at the time of sale. For example, a vehicle built in 2022 could be a MY23 vehicle

Depending on the age of the vehicle, a build plate may be present. This can be a metal plate or sticker. Vehicles manufactured after 2021 may not have a build plate/sticker. Vehicle data is stored on the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV). You can use the RAV to look up your vehicles build date with its VIN. 

A motor vehicle compliance plate or label will show the date that the vehicle complied with certain Australian Design Rules. With imported vehicles, the date of compliance will vary from the date of manufacture. 

The compliance plate is usually found in the car’s engine bay, front door, door pillar or door opening area, or footwell. 

Vehicles manufactured from 2021 and onwards may not have a compliance plate or label applied to them as it is no longer a requirement. This data is stored in the RAV. 

A build-up of dirt can suggest poor maintenance or mechanical problems. 

Dirty or thick oil and a build-up of sludge in the engine can suggest poor maintenance. Grey or milky coloured oil may suggest the presence of water, which would indicate serious problems. 

The engine should idle smoothly. Listen for irregular running or any unusual noise such as any knocking or rattling noises. 

Remove the oil filler cap while the engine is idling. Fumes can signify worn piston rings or cylinders. Thick black, blue or white smoke coming from the exhaust can signify problems as well. 

The radiator coolant should be clean and brightly coloured. Oil in the coolant may indicate a cracked cylinder-head or a leaky gasket. 

 Check for corrosion or damage on the radiator cooler fins or core tubes. 

Check that the odometer is working during the test drive. Note the number of kilometres travelled, which can indicate when a major service is required.  

The Motor Dealers and Repairers Act (The Act) makes it illegal to interfere with an odometer. The following is deemed to be interference: 

• altering the reading of the odometer 

• removing or replacing the odometer 

• rendering the odometer inoperative or inaccurate by any means whatsoever 

• fitting a device capable of rendering the odometer inoperative or inaccurate. 

A dealer is also prohibited from advertising or specifying that the reading of an odometer is accurate if the dealer knows or has reasonable cause to know that this is not the case. 

Uneven wear on tyres might indicate worn or misaligned steering or suspension. Check that there is at least 5mm of tread. Don’t forget the spare.

Check the engine, transmission, axles, brakes, power steering and shock absorbers. A leak in any of these areas could indicate a problem and could be dangerous. 

Fumes or excessive noise can suggest there is a hole or rust in the pipes or the muffler. 

Check inside the boot, the floor wells, doors and lower sills for red or other dark stains, dimpled or bubbled paint. Use a soft fridge magnet to check panels for plastic body filler. 

Hail damage makes a car difficult to insure. Check the horizontal panels such as the bonnet, roof and boot lid. 

Loose or poorly fitting panels can indicate accident damage or that the car has been driven over rough roads. 

Catches on doors and the boot should close firmly and lock. Check rubber seals as these can perish over time. 

Look for colour variation, over spraying, dents or ripples. This can indicate that the car has been in an accident. 

Check for wear and tear on all upholstery, trim and carpets. 

Check that the belts are not frayed or damaged, and that the belts, buckles and adjusters and child restraint anchorage points are in good condition. Make sure that self-retracting seatbelts retract correctly.

Check that all lights, both inside and outside the car, are working. If the car is fitted with ABS and or SRS (airbags), check that the dashboard warning lights illuminate for a short time when the ignition is turned on. 

Make sure that other warning lights, like engine, alternator, handbrake/ABS etc also come on when the ignition is switched on, and then go off once the engine is started.

Check air conditioning, ventilation fan, electric windows, sound systems, horn and windscreen wipers. Broken items can be expensive to repair or replace. 

Jacks, tool kits, and spare tyres should be in place and in serviceable condition. 

Excessive ‘free travel’ or wandering on straight roads can indicate worn suspension or misaligned steering. 

The car should stop smoothly and in a straight line. The pedal should not sink to the floor or feel spongy or shake, and the steering wheel should not vibrate. 

Blue smoke indicates oil is burning, and white smoke could indicate serious mechanical concerns.

The engine should run smoothly (accelerating, decelerating and cruising) and the water temperature gauge should stay in the safe range. Rattling or knocking could mean incorrect tuning or excessive wear. 

Gear changes (manual and automatic) should be smooth, without any rattles or knocking noises. On front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicles, these noises could indicate worn constant-velocity joints. 

Listen for rattles when you drive over bumps.