- 4WD and SUV Inspections
4WD and SUV Pre-Purchase Inspection
Buying a 4WD that has towed, been off road or been lifted? We inspect it where it’s parked across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, with drivetrain, transfer case and underbody checks, and send you the report the same day.
What a 4WD Pre-Purchase Inspection Checks
A 4WD pre-purchase inspection covers everything a car inspection does, plus the parts a four-wheel drive works hardest. InspectCar’s Standard inspection ($250) checks 150 points, from the engine and gearbox to the brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, body and electrics, with a fault-code scan and a road test where possible. On a 4WD, add the 4×4 check for $49: the drivetrain, the transfer case and the condition of the underbody, where towing, sand and rough tracks leave their marks. Premium ($395) includes those checks and goes further, with full paint-depth mapping, an extended road test, live diagnostic data and a market valuation. Every inspection comes with a PPSR certificate and a digital report with photos the same day.
We inspect at the seller’s home, a dealer’s yard or an auction, across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
- Drivetrain & Transfer Case
- Underbody Check
4x4 Check
$49 on top of Standard
AWD or 4WD?
Is Your SUV a True 4WD?
Not every SUV is a four-wheel drive. Many are front-wheel drive, and plenty of others are all-wheel drive, which sends power to all four wheels on the road but has no low-range gearbox for sand or steep tracks. A true 4WD usually has a transfer case with high and low range, and that’s the part that takes the strain off road.
Which one you’re buying changes what needs checking:
- Front-wheel-drive SUVs: the Standard inspection covers them like any car
- All-wheel-drive SUVs: Standard, plus the 4x4 check if you want the drivetrain looked at closely
- Part-time and full-time 4WDs: the 4x4 check or Premium, for the transfer case and underbody
- 4WD utes: the same 4x4 check
Not sure which you’ve got? Tell us the make, model and year when you book, or call 1800 372 001, and we’ll help you choose the package.
The 4WD Checks
What We Check on a 4WD
The 150-point Standard inspection covers the whole car. The 4×4 add-on and Premium add these 4WD checks.
Drivetrain and Transfer Case
- Transfer case condition and leaks
- Front and rear differentials
- Driveshafts and CV joints
- Gearbox, clutch and engine mounts
Underbody and Suspension
- Chassis rails and crossmembers
- Bash plates, sills and underbody impact marks
- Rust and corrosion, where it can be reached
- Shocks, springs and bushes, including any lift
- Leaks from the engine, gearbox and diffs
Wear From Towing and Tracks
- Rear suspension sag from heavy loads
- Clutch slip and gearbox wear
- Tyre wear and sidewall damage
- Scrapes, dents and bent steering parts
On-Road Test, Not Off-Road
5 to 7 km on Standard and longer on Premium, on public roads where the car can be driven. We don't take cars off road or onto sand.
Every finding goes in your report with photos. See what the report covers.
Packages
Standard Plus the 4x4 Check, or Premium?
For most 4WDs, Standard plus the 4×4 check covers the drivetrain and underbody for $299 in all. Premium, at $395, includes the same 4WD checks and adds more:
Premium adds:
- 250+ points in all, against Standard's 150
- Full paint-depth mapping, where possible
- An extended road test and live diagnostic data
- A market valuation range and negotiation tips
Premium is the better fit for a modified 4WD, a high-value tourer, or a hybrid or electric 4WD. Compare the packages.
$299
Standard plus the 4x4 check
Hard Use
What Towing, Sand and Lift Kits Do to a 4WD
A 4WD can look tough and still be worn out. Heavy towing works the gearbox, clutch, brakes and rear suspension. Sand and salt get into the underside, the brakes and the wheel bearings, and they’re hard to wash out. A lift kit and bigger tyres change the steering, the suspension angles and the load on the drivetrain. None of that makes a 4WD a bad buy, but it changes what you’re paying for.
If the car has towed, look at the tow bar’s rating. In Queensland, a tow bar’s load capacity must be at least equal to the loaded mass of the trailer, and bars made after 1 January 1992 must be marked with their capacity.
Signs of Hard Use We Look For
- Rust and sand in the underbody and chassis
- Leaking diffs, transfer case or gearbox
- Sagging rear springs or tired shocks
- Uneven tyre wear and damaged sidewalls
- Underbody dents, scrapes and bent parts
The report shows what we found, with photos, so you can price the wear into your offer.
Modified 4WDs
Buying a Modified 4WD in Queensland
Lift kits, bigger tyres, bull bars, snorkels and long-range tanks are common on used 4WDs, and some of them need paperwork. Under Queensland’s vehicle modification rules, accessories such as a tow bar or roof racks don’t need approval if the car still meets the vehicle standards, and neither do basic changes like swapping shock absorbers. Complex modifications, which include suspension upgrades, engine upgrades and gearbox changes, must follow an approved code and be certified by an approved person.
Before you buy a modified 4WD:
- Ask the seller for the modification certificate, and look for a modification plate
- Check whether the modifications were certified in Queensland
- Buying from interstate? Recreational modifications certified in another state aren't automatically recognised in Queensland, so budget for certification here
- On P plates? Check you're allowed to drive a modified vehicle
The inspection checks the condition of the modified parts. Whether they’re legal is a question for an approved person.
Areas
Where We Inspect 4WDs
We inspect 4WDs and SUVs across South East Queensland:
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Logan
- Ipswich
- Moreton Bay
- Redland
- Tweed Heads
Buying a 4WD from another city or state? If the car is in one of these areas, we inspect it where it’s parked and send you the report, so you can decide before you travel. Sunshine Coast inspections are booked by phone on 1800 372 001.
FAQ
4WD Pre-Purchase Inspection Questions
More on buying a 4WD or SUV from a distance, and in our FAQs.
How much is a 4WD pre-purchase inspection?
$250 for Standard, plus $49 for the 4×4 check, so $299 in all. Premium is $395 and includes the 4×4 checks. Both include a PPSR certificate. See the packages.
Do you check the transfer case and diffs?
Yes, with the 4×4 check or on Premium: the drivetrain, the transfer case and the condition of the underbody.
Can you inspect a 4WD with a lift kit?
Yes. We check the condition of the suspension and the modified parts. Whether a modification is legal and certified is a question for an approved person, so ask the seller for the paperwork.
Do you take the 4WD off road?
No. The road test is on public roads: 5 to 7 km on Standard and longer on Premium, where the car can be driven.
Can you inspect an all-wheel-drive SUV?
Yes. The Standard inspection suits most all-wheel-drive SUVs, and you can add the 4×4 check if you want the drivetrain looked at closely.
Book a 4WD Inspection
Standard with the 4×4 check ($299) or Premium ($395), at the car’s location, with a PPSR certificate and the report the same day. Book online, or call 1800 372 001 Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm.