How to check an inspector is independent of the seller

The danger with any pre-purchase car inspection is that your peace of mind depends entirely on the person wielding the torch. A seller — especially a dealer — wants you to feel comfortable signing the papers. An independent inspector wants you to know the truth, even if it stops the sale. These are opposite motivations, and that's the trade-off you're navigating.

You can't know an inspector's integrity just by talking to them. But you can verify their independence, and independence creates the conditions for honesty. An inspector who has nothing to gain from the outcome, who won't see your car again, and who answers to a professional body has fewer reasons to lie.

Proof of independence: what to check before booking

Start by asking directly: "Are you affiliated with the seller, the dealership, or the person selling the car?" A truly independent inspector will say no without hesitation. If there's any hesitation, or any connection (they work part-time for the dealership, they're a family friend, they've inspected other cars for this seller), walk away.

Next, search the National Automotive Technicians' Motorskills Council database if they claim membership — ask for their registration number and verify it yourself. Check the PPRA (Professional Providers Registration Association) if they mention that credential. These registers are public. If they give you a number and it doesn't appear, that's disqualifying.

Ask where they're based and whether they own their own business or work as an employee of an inspection firm. Sole operators are not inherently better, but you should understand the structure. If they work for a larger firm, ask about their quality assurance process and whether someone else reviews their reports.

Find out how they're paid. The gold standard is a fixed fee agreed upfront, paid by you directly — not a commission, not a cut from any repair shop or warranty firm. If they have any financial stake in what they find (for example, they earn more if they flag more problems, or they own a workshop that could do repairs), that's a red flag regardless of how honest they claim to be.

Before you book, ask: "If I find a major problem after the inspection, do you have professional indemnity insurance?" They should. Ask what it covers and what the policy limit is. This protects you if their negligence costs you money.

Checking references and verifying their track record

Ask for contact details of at least three people they've inspected cars for in the past six months. Call them. Ask: "Did the inspection feel thorough?" "Did the inspector explain what they were looking at?" and crucially, "Were there any issues they missed?" References who took the inspector's advice and later found expensive problems are red flags.

Ask the inspector to name any dealerships or motor groups they've worked with. Then ring those dealerships independently and ask whether they use this person and whether they'd recommend them. Dealers will tell you if an inspector is too picky (which might mean they're honest) or too lenient (which means they're not).

Search for them online. Check Google reviews, but take both five-star glow-ups and one-star complaints with a pinch of salt — what you're looking for is a pattern. Do reviews mention that the inspector was thorough? Do any mention that they misrepresented their findings or pushed unnecessary repairs?

Before they start, confirm in writing that they work to a professional standard — ask which one. Many inspectors follow the NRMA (National Roads and Motorists' Association) checklist or equivalent. Knowing the standard they commit to gives you a way to judge whether the inspection was adequate.

An independent inspector won't make you feel pressured to buy or sell. They'll hand you a detailed report and let you make your own call. Use Strove to find inspectors with verified credentials and past customer feedback in your area — you'll sidestep the guesswork and find someone whose independence is already vouched for.