More often than not. In 100 Instant Auto Reach reports rated on the Instant Auto Reach Severity Scale, 55 cars had at least one major or critical fault.
| Worst finding on the car | Cars out of 100 |
|---|---|
| Critical | 12 |
| Major | 43 |
| Moderate only | 35 |
| Nothing moderate or worse | 10 |
What the severity levels mean
- Critical: stop and get specialist diagnosis before any money changes hands. Examples from the Index: structural chassis damage, excessive engine blow-by, suspected head gasket failure.
- Major: a safety, roadworthy or high-cost item. Examples: cracked control arm bushes, a rear main seal leak, a diff lock that will not engage.
- Moderate: needs attention soon and belongs in the price. Examples: low brake pads, a weak 12V battery, stored fault codes.
- Minor and Monitor: cosmetic wear and things to keep an eye on.
How many findings does a typical report have?
The 100 reports recorded 298 rated findings, about three per car.
| Severity | Findings |
|---|---|
| Moderate | 116 |
| Major | 89 |
| Minor | 48 |
| Monitor | 20 |
| Critical | 18 |
The rest were positive or informational notes, such as a healthy EV battery result.
Does a major fault mean walk away?
No. Most major findings are fixable, and many are things the seller can repair before sale. A 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI in the Index had an active oil leak rated major, and the seller agreed to fix it before the sale completed.
A major finding changes the deal in one of three ways:
- Buy at the agreed price because the seller fixes it first.
- Negotiate the repair cost off the price.
- Walk because the risk is too open-ended to price.
One reviewer described exactly this: the inspection was done before the dealership closed, an oil leak was found, and it gave them the upper hand in the negotiation.
The 10 clean cars
One in ten had nothing rated moderate or worse. They were mostly newer, low-kilometre cars with service history, a 2023 Lexus ES300h, a 2024 Mazda 3, a 2021 MG ZST, a 2023 Kia EV6. A clean report is still worth having. It is what lets you pay the asking price without wondering.
Why a roadworthy does not cover this
A roadworthy certificate checks minimum safety items on the day. It does not rate engine condition, scan for fault codes or check for oil leaks. We explain the difference in pre-purchase inspection vs roadworthy. You can book a roadworthy certificate together with an inspection.
For businesses buying several vehicles
A 55% major fault rate matters more when you are buying five utes, not one. A fleet vehicle inspection gives every vehicle the same severity rated report so you can compare them side by side.
55 in 100. Make Sure Yours Isn’t One of Them
A major fault does not have to cost you money. Found before you buy, it becomes a repair the seller fixes or a discount you negotiate. Found after, it is your bill.
Our report rates every finding on the same severity scale you have just read about, with photos and a plain recommendation. Then your inspector calls you to talk it through, so you know exactly what to say to the seller.
CUSTOMER REVIEW
“Ray was great, he provided a detailed report on the car we ended up buying, we had a phone discussion where he talked through minor issues, and he also provided feedback on value for money. Highly recommended.”
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From $348. Same day inspection reports. Backed by our 100% money back guarantee if the vehicle is sold to someone else.
