350+ 5-starGoogle reviews
Qualifiedmechanics
15+ yearsexperience
Mobile servicewe come to the car
Gold Coast &Tweed Heads
Independent mobile inspections
Mobile Pre-Purchase Vehicle Inspections Across the Gold Coast
Buying a used car on the Gold Coast? A car can look clean and drive well on a quick test drive and still have mechanical problems, previous repairs or finance owing. A pre-purchase car inspection shows you what you're actually buying before you hand over any money.
RideCheck provides independent mobile car inspections across the Gold Coast. Our qualified mechanics come to the vehicle, whether it's at a car yard in Southport or Robina, a dealership, a private seller's home in Burleigh or Coomera, or a workplace.
Every vehicle inspection includes a diagnostic scan, a road test and a free PPSR check, with an instant digital report and photos, plus a call from your mechanic to talk you through it. Buying from interstate? We'll inspect the car for you and arrange everything with the seller.

How it works
How Our Gold Coast Car Inspections Work
Four simple steps. We handle the seller, so you don't have to be there.
Book online
Choose your package and tell us where the car is, along with the seller's details.
We arrange it
We contact the seller or dealer and lock in a time that suits them.
We inspect the car
A qualified mechanic inspects the vehicle on site, including a diagnostic scan and road test.
Get your report
Your digital report with photos arrives when the inspection is done, and your mechanic calls you to talk it through.
What We Inspect
WHAT WE INSPECT ON EVERY CAR
Our mobile vehicle inspections on the Gold Coast cover the mechanical, body and interior condition of the car, with a diagnostic check, road test and PPSR check included.

Engine & Drivetrain
- Engine and transmission leaks and faults
- Engine and transmission mounts
- Cooling system and fan operation
- CV joints, drive shafts and universal joints
- Fuel system operation
Brakes, Steering & Suspension
- Brake pads, rotors and calipers
- Suspension and bushings
- Ball joints and tie rod ends
- Power steering
- Tyre condition
Electrical & Diagnostics
- Diagnostic check of engine management systems
- Battery and alternator
- Headlights, tail lights and indicators
- Air conditioning and heater operation
Body & Chassis
- Signs of major body repairs (visual check)
- Scratches and dents
- Door operation
- Underbody condition
- Paint depth readings (Premium package)
Interior
- Carpet, dashboard and steering wheel condition
- Seat belts
- Electric windows and mirrors
- Gauges, wipers and horn
- Park brake
Road Test
- Road test to evaluate the car's performance
- Engine and transmission operation
- Braking and steering feel
- Unusual noises or vibrations
Vehicle History & Report
- Free PPSR check covering finance owing, write-off and stolen status
- Photos of key areas of the vehicle
- Instant digital report on completion
- Phone call with the inspecting mechanic
Our Packages
Gold Coast Inspection Packages
Pick the level of detail you need. Both packages are mobile, so our mechanic comes to the car.
Standard Inspection
$299
45–60 minutes
A thorough mechanical check for buyers who want peace of mind before purchasing.
- Full mechanical inspection: engine, exterior, interior, wheels and underbody
- Diagnostic scan and road test
- 19+ high-quality photos
- Paint depth readings on every panel
- Odometer cross-check
- 35+ photos and Vehicle Insights market guide
Most Comprehensive
Premium Inspection
$379
70–90 minutes
Our most detailed inspection, with extra checks for accident history and overall condition.
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- 360° photo coverage: 35+ photos from every angle, including the exterior, interior, engine bay and underbody
- Paint depth readings across all panels to help spot signs of previous repairs, resprays or panel damage
- Odometer cross-check against available vehicle records to identify potential inconsistencies
- Vehicle Insights including market guide
Both include
Free PPSR checkFinance owing, write-off and stolen status
Instant digital reportDelivered when the inspection is done
Call with your mechanicWe talk you through the findings
Don’t take our word for it
Rating
5.0




350+ reviews
Gold Coast buyer's guide
Buying a Used Car on the Gold Coast: What to Know
The Gold Coast has a busy used car market, from dealer yards and car lots to private sales on Marketplace and Carsales. A few local things are worth understanding before you buy.
Safety certificate vs pre-purchase inspection
In Queensland the seller must provide a safety certificate (often called a roadworthy), but it answers a different question.
| Safety certificate / roadworthy (QLD) | RideCheck pre-purchase inspection | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Confirms the car meets minimum safety standards so it can be sold and registered | Shows you the car's overall condition before you buy |
| Who arranges it | The seller, before rego is transferred | You, the buyer, independently |
| What it looks at | Safety items, on the day. It isn't required to find every defect | Mechanical, body and interior condition, signs of previous repairs, road test and diagnostic scan |
| Finance owing and write-offs | Not covered | Free PPSR check covering finance owing, write-off and stolen status |
| What you get | A certificate for the sale | A digital report with photos and a call with your mechanic |
Three more things to watch for on the Gold Coast
Our mechanics keep these in mind on every Gold Coast inspection.
Coastal salt air and corrosion
Cars kept near the beach in suburbs like Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and Coolangatta are exposed to salt air every day. That can speed up corrosion on the underbody, brake components, suspension and electrical connections. Our mechanics check these areas closely on every Gold Coast inspection.
Buying across the border
Gold Coast buyers often look at cars in Tweed Heads and northern NSW, and the reverse. Registration and roadworthy rules differ between Queensland and NSW, so check what's needed to transfer or re-register the car in your state. We inspect on both sides of the border, and every inspection includes a free PPSR check.
Storms, floods and hire-car history
South East Queensland storms and floods, including in 2022, mean flood-affected cars can come back onto the market. Musty smells, moisture under carpets and electrical faults are warning signs. Ex-rental and high-kilometre tourist cars are also common on the Gold Coast, so service history and wear are worth checking closely.
Rules can change, so check Queensland Fair Trading and Transport and Main Roads for the current details.
Found a car in Gold Coast?Book your pre-purchase car inspection online or call RideCheck on 0424 287 403. We'll arrange the inspection with the seller.
Gold Coast and Surrounding Suburbs We Cover
RideCheck provides mobile pre-purchase car inspections right across the Gold Coast, from the northern growth corridor to the southern beaches and Tweed Heads. Simply enter where the car is when you book and we'll arrange the inspection with the seller.
Gold Coast and nearby
Also inspecting nearby
FAQs
Gold Coast Car Inspection FAQs
Quick answers for buyers in Gold Coast and nearby suburbs.
Still got a question?Call us or book online and we'll take care of the rest.
How much does a pre-purchase car inspection cost on the Gold Coast?
RideCheck offers a Standard pre-purchase Inspection for $299 and a Premium Inspection for $379 on the Gold Coast. Both include a road test, a diagnostic check, a free PPSR check and an instant digital report. A travel fee may apply to some areas, and we'll confirm this with you before your booking is finalised.
What's included in a pre-purchase vehicle inspection?
Our inspections cover the engine, underbody, exterior, interior and wheels, with a diagnostic check of engine management systems, a road test and a free PPSR check. The Premium Inspection adds 35+ photos from every angle, paint depth readings, an odometer cross-check and Vehicle Insights.
Is a mobile car inspection as thorough as taking the car to a workshop?
For a pre-purchase inspection, yes. Our mechanic brings the diagnostic and inspection equipment to the car, checks the engine, underbody, body and interior on site and road tests it. It also means you don't need the seller to drive the car anywhere.
Do you do roadworthies or safety certificates on the Gold Coast?
No. In Queensland a safety certificate (often called a roadworthy) is arranged by the seller at an approved inspection station, and it only confirms the car meets minimum safety standards on the day. RideCheck does independent pre-purchase inspections for buyers, which look at the car's overall mechanical, body and interior condition.
Are you a mobile mechanic? Do you do servicing or repairs?
No. RideCheck only does independent pre-purchase inspections for people buying a used car. We come to the car like a mobile mechanic would, but we don't do servicing or repairs, which keeps us independent from the car and the seller.
Do you inspect cars at Gold Coast car yards and dealerships?
Yes. We inspect cars at used car dealers and car yards across the Gold Coast, including Southport, Robina and Tweed Heads, as well as at private sellers' homes and workplaces. Book online with the dealer's details and we'll arrange a time with them.
Can you inspect a car on the Gold Coast if I live interstate?
Yes. Many of our customers buy from interstate. Book online with the seller's details, we'll arrange the inspection, and you'll get the digital report with photos plus a call from your mechanic, so you can decide without travelling.
Do you cover Tweed Heads and northern NSW?
Yes. We inspect cars in Tweed Heads and nearby areas as well as across the Gold Coast. Availability depends on the vehicle's location, so enter where the car is when you book.
How long does the inspection take, and when do I get the report?
A Standard Inspection typically takes 45–60 minutes and a Premium Inspection 70–90 minutes, depending on the vehicle. Your digital report is delivered when the inspection is complete, and your mechanic will call you to talk through the findings.


