AA Pre Purchase Inspections

The inspection includes a thorough check of over 100 items across various components of the car. This includes:

• Exterior and Interior: Bodywork, lights, windows, doors, upholstery, dashboard, etc.
• Engine and Driveline: Visual inspection for leaks, unusual noises, and general condition.
• Cooling System and Brakes: Radiator, hoses, brake pads, discs, and fluid levels.
• Suspension and Steering: Shock absorbers, bushings, and steering response.
• Wheels and Tyres: Tread depth, wear patterns, and overall condition.
• Vehicle Operation: A test drive (where legal and safe) to assess engine function  handling, and braking.

Please note that a compression test is not included, as modern vehicles typically display warning lights for compression-related issues.

An AA Pre Purchase Inspection takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1.5 hours to complete depending on the vehicle. If you're arranging the inspection as a buyer, it's important to:

• Notify the seller of the booking time. Please check with them if they agree to an inspection and a suitable time for the inspection.
• Ensure the vehicle is accessible at the time of inspection.
• Confirm roadworthiness, as the vehicle must be legally allowed on the road for test driving unless it has a dealer plate. 

You can book an AA Pre Purchase Inspection at selected AA Auto Centre locations across New Zealand. Additionally, mobile inspections are available in major cities including:

• Auckland
• Wellington
• Christchurch
• Hamilton
• Tauranga
• Whangārei

Mobile inspections cost the same as onsite ones but require a suitable location, such as a level and hard surface (concrete or asphalt — not gravel or grass) off a public road. 

An AA Vehicle Appraisal is an overview of the car’s key mechanical and safety aspects, and is used by dealers who import cars into NZ.

A Pre Purchase Inspection, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive 100+ point check for car buyers that identifies existing or potential mechanical issues, safety concerns. It provides a more detailed report and is strongly recommended for private buyers.

Yes, there are a few important conditions:

• Unregistered or unwarranted vehicles can only be inspected if they have a valid dealer plate.
• Road testing cannot be conducted on vehicles that are not legally roadworthy.
• The inspection does not include a WoF (Warrant of Fitness) or CoF (Certificate of Fitness) — this must be completed separately.
• Vehicles must have a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 3,500kg or less to be eligible.
• If your vehicle make/model doesn’t appear in the online booking system, call 0800 500 333 (Option 1) and the team can assist.

Most vehicles, including petrol, hybrid, and electric cars, have a 12-volt (12V) battery — but hybrid and electric vehicles also have a high-voltage (HV) battery that powers the motor.

• 12V Battery: 
  This is the standard battery found in all vehicles. It powers the car's electrical systems like lights, dashboard electronics, infotainment, door locks, and in many vehicles, it also initiates the start-up process (even in EVs). In petrol and diesel cars, it powers the starter motor.
• High-Voltage Battery (Hybrid/EV only): 
  This battery is much larger and is responsible for driving the electric motor(s) that power the wheels. These batteries typically operate at hundreds of volts and are rechargeable through regenerative braking or plugging in (in EVs and plug-in hybrids). They store the main energy used for driving and offer much greater capacity than a 12V battery.

In summary: The 12V battery handles electronics and start-up, while the high-voltage battery powers the vehicle’s movement in electric and hybrid models. Both are essential, but they serve very different purposes.

The high-voltage battery check is an optional add-on for inspections on hybrid and electric vehicles (It is not covered under the standard AA Pre-Purchase Inspection).