Pre-purchase Inspection

Buying a second-hand German vehicle? A thorough pre-purchase inspection will help you make an informed decision before you commit to your vehicle purchase.

Comprehensive examination of engine, electronics and parts
Full service history evaluation
Peace of mind before you purchase
25+ years of expertise on German vehicles

Book a pre-purchase inspection with the mechanic who understands German cars.

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Why go to a German car specialist

Some inspectors use a visual checklist and a standard OBD2 reader that picks up basic fault codes. That approach doesn’t reach the manufacturer-specific level sub-systems where the real problems hide.

At Pace Auto Werks, we use Autologic diagnostic equipment. This is a professional-grade platform that is a comparable level to the German dealerships. It gives us access to every control module in the vehicle: engine, gearbox, ABS, airbags, suspension, climate control, body electronics. We can see current fault codes, stored historical codes and also live sensor data as the engine is running through its various modes. We also have access to “Passthrough” which can connect us up to the factories in Germany to assist in the diagnosis of complicated issues.

Add 25 years of working exclusively on German vehicles and the difference between Pace and a regular mechanics shop is significant. We know which components are commonly prone to failure and their idiosyncratic symptoms. We know what a healthy N55 sounds like at idle versus one that’s heading somewhere expensive.

A PPI offers a comprehensive overview of the cars present condition, a full vehicle control module scan, service history and current requirements with any issues. A bumper-to-bumper inspection externally, interior and of course all drive train components, suspension and brakes with a full report. While we don’t have a crystal, this is as close as you can get, and empowers you to negotiate a deal with the seller.

What our pre-purchase inspection covers

Every pre-purchase car inspection includes a complete bumper-to-bumper evaluation:

Exterior and interior: A full inspection of the vehicle’s condition inside and out, with photographs of any defects found. Including paint depth analysis for signs of collision.
Mechanical: Engine, transmission, drivetrain and suspension – looking beyond what’s visible at the systems that will determine what this car costs to own.
Brakes and tyres: Brake pad and rotor measurements recorded to the millimetre. Tyre tread depth across all four corners, plus the date of manufacture – because tread depth alone doesn’t tell you how old the rubber is.
Service history: We go through the full service history against the car’s current condition and tell you what’s overdue, what’s coming up, and what the car’s history shows.
Full ECU diagnostic scan: A complete Autologic scan of every control module (engine, gearbox, ABS, airbags, suspension, and more). Including a printed fault report and explanation of what the codes mean and how serious they are.

The full report, with measurements, photos and video of anything worth noting, goes directly to you. It’s your information. We don’t share it with the seller.

Buy your next German car with complete confidence.

Our Pre-Purchase Inspection Process

Book an appointment. Use the form above or call us on (08) 9227 8772.
Bring the car to us. Arrange for the dealer or seller to drop the vehicle at Pace. If they refuse – that tells you something worth knowing before you spend anything.
We inspect it. The inspection takes around 4 hours. You’re welcome to wait, but most people get on with their day and we call when it’s done.
We send you the full report. Reports, photos and video come to you digitally so you can review everything at your own pace.
We walk you through it. Whether you’re here in Perth or buying from interstate, we go through the report with you, so you know exactly what you’re looking at and what it means.

prestige vehicles We Service

BMW

Volkswagen

Mini

Audi

Mercedes-Benz

Porsche

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a pre-purchase inspection cost at Pace Auto Werks?

Our pre-purchase inspections cost $435. A flat rate that gives you a comprehensive report on the car’s condition, history, and whether it’s a sound purchase at the price offered.

How does a pre-purchase inspection tell if a car has been in a collision?

Collision damage doesn’t always show on the surface. We check paint quality across every panel – a repaired areas show up slightly differently to factory paint – along with panel gaps, shut lines, and body component alignment that’s difficult to get right after a repair.

After working exclusively on German cars since 1999, we know what these vehicles look & behave like from the factory, and if it has been appropriately maintained to the manufacturer’s specified service intervals. A repaired and resprayed BMW 3 Series looks subtly different to one that hasn’t been repaired from a collision.

Is a pre-purchase inspection worth it?

Second-hand cars rarely sell in perfect condition. Even if it looks fine on the outside, it is important to know if the car is due for a major service, if it has been in an accident and if there are gaps in the seller’s claims. A pre-purchase inspection gives you peace of mind with the facts you need to decide whether the car is what the seller says it is.