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Fast and hassle free
We aim to inspect your chosen vehicle within 2 to 4 working days of booking.
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Skilled assessment
We'll assign a trained engineer to inspect the vehicle.
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Detailed checks
Choose from 3 inspections – our Comprehensive and Advanced options include photographs.
Vehicle Inspections
Check a used vehicle's condition
With the pre-purchase checks in our Vehicle Inspection, you can see whether a used car is in good order before you buy
Vehicle Inspection options
We can inspect cars, 4x4s, motorhomes, vans, hybrid vehicles, and electric cars and vans. They include vehicles up to 20 years old, but exclude insurance write-offs.
You can choose from the following inspection options:
- Basic
This limited inspection covers the exterior, fluid levels, controls, lights and tyres. It also includes a short road test. The underneath and the brake pads and disks are not checked. - Comprehensive
More detailed than the Basic inspection, it includes mechanical systems, brakes and suspension, checks underneath the vehicle, and a road test up to 10 miles. The report is enhanced with photographs. - Advanced
Our extensive evaluation covering everything in the Comprehensive inspection plus a full review of brake pads or discs condition, and a diagnostic system overview. With a video review, you'll have maximum confidence before purchase.
- Qualified engineer to inspect the car, van or motorhome you're interested in.
- A visual check of a vehicle with details of any problems we find.
- A report for peace of mind that the vehicle is roadworthy and safe.
Each inspection includes:
Once you have the report, you can ask the seller to fix any issues we've found or reduce the price before you buy.
Choose your vehicle inspection
Table to show options available in Vehicle Inspection
Description
Basic
Comprehensive
Advanced
Points checked
99 points
215 points
225 points
Vehicle age
Up to 20 years
Up to 20 years
Up to 20 years
Vehicle type
Standard cars, hybrid and EVs
All cars, vans and motorhomes
All cars, vans and motorhomes
Report
Details of checks and findings
Full photographic report
Full video and photographic report
Checks
Limited checks of exterior and interior
Detailed physical inspection, including mechanical parts
Detailed physical inspection, including mechanical parts
Road test
Up to 1 mile
Up to 10 miles
Up to 10 miles
Brakes
Pads and discs checked if visible without removing wheels
Full pads and discs condition check
Under vehicle inspection
AA member price†
Fixed £99
£197 to £287
£251 to £305
Non-member price†
Fixed £110
£219 to £319
£279 to £339
† Comprehensive and Advanced prices depend on the vehicle type and engine size. Your final price will be confirmed before booking and payment.
For a Comprehensive inspection, our pricing analysis for the period 1 November 2025 to 31 January 2026 suggests that 10% of customers would qualify for the lowest price within the price range. This is indicative only as the prices have since changed.
The Advanced inspection is a new product and the full price range is shown. Pricing data is still being established.
Member prices apply only to AA breakdown members. Membership is paid for separately and is subject to its own terms.
Why do I need a vehicle inspection?
- Save yourself time and hassle, and avoid costly surprises.
- Our trained engineers give you a completely neutral report on the vehicle's condition, which can help you decide whether or not to buy.
- If you do decide to buy, you might be able to negotiate a better price with the information in your report.
An inspection includes
- ✓ Body exterior*
- ✓ Engine compartment
- ✓ Electrical controls (interior and luggage compartments)*
- ✓ Front and rear suspension (front and rear under frames)*
- ✓ Steering
- ✓ Clutch
- ✓ Transmission
- ✓ Exhaust system
- ✓ Fuel system
- ✓ Brakes
- ✓ Wheels and tyres
- ✓ Road test of up to 10 miles for Comprehensive and Advanced (depending on the vehicle type, road conditions, traffic, fuel level and engineer's judgement)
* Limited checks and exclusions apply for basic, van and motorhome inspections.
An inspection doesn't include
- ✗ Dismantling, removing, disconnecting or taking apart any item on the vehicle (for more details see our Ts&Cs)
- ✗ Vehicle data checks, outstanding finance, VIN match, previous owners or mileage accuracy – but you can use our Vehicle Check to get information on this
- ✗ Oil and fuel consumption
- ✗ Sources of oil leaks
- ✗ Multimedia systems or sat navs
- ✗ Cylinder compression
- ✗ Air-conditioning function and efficiency (using specific diagnostic equipment)
- ✗ Vehicle electrics and electronics (requiring the use of specific diagnostic equipment)
- ✗ Exhaust emissions and/or catalytic converters (requiring the use of gas analysing equipment)
- ✗ Habitation area of motor homes (electrical systems; water/gas fittings and associated appliances; body/caravan area for water ingress or dampness)
FAQs
What vehicles don't you inspect?
We're not able to inspect the following vehicles:
- Horse boxes
- American imports
- Kit cars
- Limousines
- Motorcycles
- London taxis or Hackney carriages
- Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes or trolley jacks
- Specific high-performance vehicles (supercars or hypercars)
We also can't inspect:
- Disability controls and modifications – although we can check the vehicle
- Commercial refrigeration units fitted to vehicles – although we can check the vehicle
- Body tipping equipment fitted to a vehicle
- Tail lifts fitted for any vehicle
What doesn't a Vehicle Inspection check?
Each type of Vehicle Inspection doesn't include:
- Dismantling, removing, disconnecting or taking apart any item on the vehicle (for more details see our Ts&Cs)
- Vehicle data checks, or mileage accuracy – but you can use our vehicle check to get information on this
- Oil and fuel consumption
- Sources of oil leaks
- Multimedia systems or satnavs
- Cylinder compression
- Air-conditioning function and efficiency (using specific diagnostic equipment)
- Vehicle electrics and electronics (requiring the use of specific diagnostic equipment)
- Exhaust emissions and/or catalytic converters (requiring the use of gas analysing equipment)
- Habitation area of motor homes (electrical systems, water or gas fittings and associated appliances; body or caravan area for water ingress or dampness)
What does an Advanced inspection include?
Brakes
We'll remove the wheels and inspect the condition of the brake pads and discs to identify wear or damage. This helps you understand the true condition of the brakes.
Brake fluid analysis
We check the condition of the brake fluid and measure its moisture level. Too much moisture can reduce braking efficiency, so the check can identify a potential issue.
Diagnostic check
We connect a professional OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) device to the vehicle to scan its systems and identify any recorded fault codes for potential issues.
Digital battery test
We assess the battery's health and performance using the latest digital testing technology.
Who does a Vehicle Inspection?
Each type of inspection is carried out by one of our engineers or an engineer working on our behalf.
What should I ask the seller before I book?
- Get the seller's permission to allow the pre-purchase vehicle inspection.
- Tell the seller that the vehicle needs a road test as part of the inspection.
For the engineer to do the inspection, ask the seller to confirm the vehicle:
- Has a valid MOT certificate (if applicable)
- Has enough oil, water and fuel for the road test
- Is on an off-road location on a hard, level surface
- Is reasonably clean
You'll still have to pay the full fee if the engineer refuses or is unable to carry out any part of the inspection because the vehicle wasn't set up for them. Plus there'll be an additional fee for any subsequent inspection you ask us to carry out.
What happens if any defects are found?
After the inspection and road test, our engineer will report any defects or noteworthy points to you.
You can then raise these issues with the seller, and it's then their responsibility to look at the defects.
Do AA members get a discount?
AA members with an active Breakdown Cover policy will get 10% off an inspection.
Other membership benefits include our free accident assist helpline and discounts on car insurance and home insurance.
Good to know
Refunds and cancellations fees
- After booking a vehicle inspection, you've 14 days to change your mind and get a full refund, unless the inspection was due to take place during that time.
- Outside of the 14 days, or if the inspection was due to take place during that time, there is a cancellation fee of:
£20 if you cancel by 2pm on the day before the inspection;
£76 if you cancel after 2pm the day before the inspection. - If you change your mind and cancel when the inspection has been done (whether or not a report has been issued), you won't get a refund. This also applies if you've given us incorrect or incomplete information that stops the engineer from carrying out the inspection.
To cancel a booking:
- Call us or
- Email [email protected]
The 'Fees and cancellations' section in the Vehicle Inspections Terms and Conditions below has more information.
Reasons why we might refuse to inspect or issue a report
In certain circumstances we're entitled to refuse to inspect a vehicle or to issue a report, including:
- If our engineer can't get reasonable access to the vehicle to carry out the inspection.
- If the vehicle doesn't have an MOT.
- If the vehicle doesn't appear to be of standard production (it may be a kit car or been modified in a certain way) or to be roadworthy.
- If you've given us incorrect or incomplete information, whereby the engineer is prevented from carrying out the inspection.
The inspection fee remains fully payable in such circumstances. We'll let you know if that's the case.
Terms and conditions
Download the PDF:
Updated April 2017.