Pre-purchase inspection software
Pre-purchase inspection template and software for mechanics
Replace the paper pre-purchase inspection template with InspectaCar. Work through a guided inspection on your phone, attach photos to each finding, and give your customer a branded online report and PDF. Your first 10 inspections are free.
No credit card needed. Your first 10 inspections are free.
- 14guided steps in the standard inspection
- 34steps in Deep Inspection mode
- 10free inspections to start
- Web + PDFreport for every inspection
Why mechanics move from a pre-purchase inspection template to software
A paper or Word pre-purchase inspection template does the job once. Do a few a week and the cracks show: the photos sit in your camera roll, your notes get retyped into a report back at the workshop, and every report looks slightly different. InspectaCar replaces all of that with one workflow. You inspect on your phone, the findings and photos stay together, and the report is built from what you recorded.
The pre-purchase inspection workflow in InspectaCar
- 1
Set up the vehicle and open the inspection
Create the inspection with the customer and vehicle details, then open the secure inspection link on your phone. There is nothing to install: it works in the phone’s browser.
Step 1 of 14: the mechanic confirms the vehicle details. - 2
Inspect step by step
The guided steps take you through the vehicle in a sensible order: exterior, interior, electronics, mechanical, engine bay, service history, functional checks, OBD scan, test drive and tyres. Tap OK, Minor or Attention for each check. When a section is fine, one tap marks the remaining checks as no issues found.
Each check has its own result buttons, and photo buttons underneath. - 3
Capture the evidence
Take a photo or upload one against any check. For a full photographic inspection, switch to Deep Inspection: guided photos for every exterior angle, tyres, undercarriage, interior and plates, odometer readings before and after the test drive, and an imperfections list with repair estimates.
Deep Inspection: guided photo steps for every angle. - 4
Publish the report
Finish the inspection and the report is ready: a branded web page you can share by secure link, and a one-click PDF. Findings graded Minor or Attention are pulled to the top so your customer sees what matters first.
Anything graded Minor or Attention is pulled to the top, with the mechanic’s comment.
A look at the inspection template
This is part of the template you work through in InspectaCar, with sample results. The standard inspection has 25 condition checks across exterior, interior, electronics, mechanical and engine bay, plus up to 20 functional checks that adapt to the vehicle’s features, tyre condition for every wheel position, service history, an OBD scan and a road test.
Customising your pre-purchase inspection template
Not every car needs the same depth. Run a standard inspection for a typical pre-purchase, switch to Deep Inspection when the buyer wants full photographic evidence, or write up a car you looked at offline as a Manual report. Tell InspectaCar which features the vehicle has and only the relevant functional checks appear. Your logo, colours and business name go on every report. See how templates and branding are set up.
What your customer receives
A buyer wants an answer, not a pile of photos. The InspectaCar report opens with your branding and the vehicle, puts the findings that need attention first, and then shows the detail: every section, the OBD scan result, tyre condition and the photos.
Want to see it for yourself? Open the sample inspection report. It is the same report your customers would receive.
Pre-purchase inspection vs roadworthy certificate
These two are often confused, and the confusion costs buyers money. A roadworthy (or safety) certificate confirms a vehicle meets a minimum safety standard on the day, usually so it can be registered or transferred. A pre-purchase inspection is about condition and cost: what is worn, what has been repaired and what is likely to need money soon. InspectaCar produces pre-purchase inspection reports. It does not issue roadworthy certificates.
| Pre-purchase inspection | Roadworthy / safety certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Helps a buyer understand the overall condition of a specific vehicle before they commit. | Confirms the vehicle meets minimum safety standards, usually so it can be registered, transferred or re-registered. |
| Who it is for | The buyer (or the dealer deciding what to pay). | The registering authority and the seller. Rules vary by state and territory. |
| What it looks at | Condition and likely cost: mechanical health, wear, accident repair, leaks, paperwork, road test, diagnostics. | A defined list of safety items assessed against the minimum standard on the day. |
| Result | A written opinion with findings and a recommendation. There is no legal pass or fail. | A certificate if the vehicle passes, or a defect notice if it does not. |
| Who can do it | Any competent mechanic or inspector. | An authorised tester or inspection station under your state’s scheme. |
| What it does not do | It is not a roadworthy certificate and does not guarantee future reliability. | It is not an assessment of value, reliability or hidden mechanical wear. |
Names and rules differ by state and territory: Victoria issues a Certificate of Roadworthiness, Queensland a Safety Certificate, and New South Wales uses eSafety checks and a separate inspection for some vehicles. Check your state road authority for the current requirements. InspectaCar reports are inspection reports, not statutory certificates.
Benefits for mechanics and dealerships
For mobile mechanics and workshops
- A professional handover that charges like a professional service.
- Findings and photos captured on site, not retyped later.
- The same steps every time, so nothing is skipped on a busy day.
- Your logo and colours on every report.
For dealerships and wholesalers
- Consistent condition records across everyone who inspects for you.
- Photo evidence and repair estimates on every vehicle.
- A secure link you can share with a buyer or a colleague.
- Every vehicle and report kept together and searchable.
Start free, upgrade when you are busy
Your first 10 inspections are free, with full reports, your branding and photo uploads. If you outgrow that, the Unlimited plan is A$88.99 per month with no lock-in. See pricing for the details.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | A$0 | 10 inspections with full reports, your branding, photo uploads and mechanic mobile links |
| Unlimited | A$88.99 per month | Unlimited inspections, OBD scan results, paint depth reports and priority support |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pre-purchase inspection template for mechanics?
One you will actually use on every job. InspectaCar gives you a guided pre-purchase inspection on your phone, so the steps are always done in the same order and the findings, photos and report stay together, instead of a paper template you retype later.
Is there pre-purchase inspection software for mobile mechanics?
Yes. InspectaCar is digital vehicle inspection software for Australian mechanics, dealerships and inspectors. You inspect on your phone, attach photos to each finding and send your customer a branded online report and PDF.
What does a pre-purchase inspection report in InspectaCar include?
The vehicle details, an overall condition, a Needs Attention section with your comments and photos, every inspection section, tyre condition, service history, OBD scan results and an optional road test and Deep Inspection findings, as a web report and a PDF with your branding.
Is a pre-purchase inspection the same as a roadworthy certificate?
No. A roadworthy or safety certificate is a statutory document issued by an authorised tester. A pre-purchase inspection is an opinion on overall condition and likely cost, with no legal pass or fail. [See the comparison](#roadworthy-vs-pre-purchase).
Do I need to install an app?
No. Mechanics open a secure link in their phone’s browser. Reports are published as a web page and a PDF.
How much does it cost?
The first 10 inspections are free with no credit card. After that the Unlimited plan is A$88.99 per month, billed monthly in Australian dollars.