- car inspection
Car Diagnostics & Inspection FAQs
Updated 16 Jan 2024
AutoGuru
Car diagnostics and inspections help mechanics figure out what might be wrong with your vehicle. Before a fault can be repaired, your mechanic needs to know what it is. By running diagnostics tests and performing inspections, they can pinpoint the problem, or get an idea of what may be causing a particular issue.
Do I need a pre-purchase inspection?
Pre-purchase inspections are not mandatory and getting one completed is entirely up to you. If you’re not mechanically minded or just want that added peace of mind before you buy your next car, a pre-purchase inspection is a great idea.
How long does a car diagnostic test take?
A car diagnostic test including a full system scan, analysis and report can take anywhere between 15-30 minutes.
What is a scan tool diagnostics test?
This test involves using a diagnostic scan tool to plug into your car and communicate with the various computers. The scan tool reads the data held in the computer to help the technician discover and diagnose problems or errors.
Will a diagnostics test affect my warranty?
No. Scan tool diagnostics tests are completely safe and will not affect your warranty.
What do I need to do before registering my car?
In addition to requiring you to fill out the appropriate paperwork and pay fees, most states in Australia will also require a safety or roadworthy inspection to be completed before registering your vehicle. Check your relevant government transport website to find out more.
If I move states, when do I need to change my registration?
QLD - within 14 days
NSW - ASAP. If your vehicle is kept or garaged in NSW and doesn't have NSW registration then it is considered ‘unregistered’
VIC - No specified time
ACT, WA, SA, NT and TAS - For all these states, you have 3 months
Written By
AutoGuru
AutoGuru is a collective of creatives and technologists with a single mission: to transform the way vehicle maintenance is managed.
For over a decade, we’ve been building technology that removes friction from managing automotive maintenance, making auto care easy for drivers, service providers, and fleet managers.Our award-winning digital product portfolio includes:
- Autoguru.com.au, Australia’s #1 auto services marketplace,
- FleetGuru®, fleet maintenance management platform digitising approvals and streamlining payments for some of Australasia’s largest fleet operators,
- FleetGuru.ai, AI-powered maintenance operating system connecting international fleet management companies, their clients, and drivers across borders for maintenance scheduling, authorisation and payments,
- BookingGuru, white label booking solution powering online bookings and payments for car servicing and repairs, and
- Reserve with Google Automotive Bookings, a unique integration enabling car servicing and repairs to be booked directly with service providers from Google Search & Maps.