Buying a car interstate limits the possibility of personally inspecting it. If you have friends or family that live close to the car's location, you could ask them to do an inspection. Another option is to pay a local mechanic to do a professional inspection on your behalf. The cost of the inspection may vary depending on the level of inspection you request them to do.
During an inspection, the mechanic will conduct a thorough internal and external inspection and likely check the car’s:
- Suspension
- Brakes
- Engine bay
- Tyres
- Wheels
Some mechanics may also inspect the:
- Radiator instruments and gauges
- Electronics
- Seats and seatbelts
- Underbody
They will also take a test drive to ensure the transmission and engine are running smoothly. You should check with the mechanic what’s included with the inspection and request any additional checks if you want them.
An inspection you can do yourself is an online car history report. You just need to get the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). With the VIN in hand, you can find multiple websites that will offer a car history report for a small fee.
You may even find that the local state or territory transport department offers a car history report. Check that there are no outstanding loans on the car, it’s not stolen, or hasn’t been written off.