How to avoid buying a lemon

Posted 19 February, 2021 Andrew Clark

It’s a used-car buyer’s worst nightmare – handing over your hard-earned cash only to find your new pride and joy is, in fact, a well-disguised lemon.   Whether you’re buying from Bob down the street or the most prestigious of dealerships, no one’s immune. The unfortunate reality is that any used car could have some automotive skeletons lurking in its closet. That’s why it’s so important to get the car you’re interested in purchasing checked over by a professional before saying ‘I do’. But with every mechanic under the sun offering some form of inspection service, it can be hard to know where to turn.   Luckily, RAA is one of South Australia’s most trusted inspection specialists. We have more than 90 years of experience and can carry out vehicle inspections at our Mile End workshop, an Approved Vehicle Inspection Centre in regional SA or (in most cases) at your home.

Even better, RAA members save 15% on vehicle inspections, plus we offer our members free headlight aiming checks.

  RAA offers 4 types of vehicle inspections: pre-purchase inspections, warranty inspections, owner inspections and specialty inspections. Inspections cover most components of your car, from your engine, cooling system, fuel and exhaust systems to electrical systems, your transmission, wheels and tyres, brakes, suspension, steering and body/chassis. Here are a few more details about each of our vehicle inspections.  

1. Pre-purchase inspections

Pre-purchase inspections help you uncover the true condition of a vehicle before you commit to buying it. They’ll also help you drive a better deal and save you from nasty surprises down the track. You can choose between 2 types of pre-purchase inspections. Total Care is RAA’s most comprehensive inspection. An inspection expert will check the car’s mechanical and internal and external condition. The other type of pre-purchase inspection buyers can choose is Mechanical. This inspection is for buyers concerned only with the car’s mechanical condition.  

2. Warranty inspections

Warranty inspections help identify faults your dealership should cover before your car’s warranty expires. Vehicle inspection experts will check both new and used cars for any problems covered by the warranty so your dealer can take care of the issue.  

3. Owner inspections

Owner inspections help you find hidden problems that might be lurking under your bonnet. They’re a good idea if you’re planning a long trip or preparing to sell your car. Specialty inspections can investigate all sorts of things from the accuracy of your speedometer to whether your car is suitable for rideshare services.  

4. Specialty inspections

There are more than 30 specialty inspections available through RAA. Qualified technicians can perform accident repair inspections, vehicle valuations, fault diagnosis and NSW and NT roadworthy checks.        

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