Frequently Asked Questions
RAC InspectionsTo offer the maximum possible peace of mind we have the vast majority of our cars independently RAC inspected prior to going on sale. These vehicles can be found HERE.
Because vehicles are independently inspected by an RAC Inspector against a 60 point RAC checklist you can be confident you know what you're getting - providing you with peace of mind. The reports produced are sent to us by the RAC and are available for you when you view the vehicle - with appropriate action taken if anything has been highlighted.
Where sections of the report are left blank, this doesn't mean that they haven't been inspected! - simply that there was nothing to report and the condition and/or function is satisfactory. The RAC reports are "Exception Reports" where only defects found at the time of inspection are noted. This is similar to the HPI reports (more details HERE).
Q. What does the Inspection Cover?
A. Full details of the 60 point Inspection are detailed below.
1. Check engine oil level for correct level and
dipstick oil sample is free from contamination
Use engine dipstick or electronic test system to confirm
oil level is within maximum and minimum marks. Examine oil
condition for signs of debris, unusual odour and moisture
emulsification
2. Check coolant level for correct level and coolant is
free from visual contamination
Confirm coolant level is within maximum and minimum marks
specified by the manufacturer on the coolant
reservoir/radiator.
Measure antifreeze strength using a hydrometer to
determine if level of protection is within safe limits
3. Check screen wash to correct level where visible
Confirm windscreen washer fluid level is to a satisfactory
level where visible within the washer fluid reservoir
4. Check engine compartment for visual evidence of all
fluid/fuel leakage
Examine complete engine compartment for evidence of oil or
fuel leakage from pipes and hoses
5. Check brake/clutch fluid level to manufacturer's
specification
Confirm both brake and clutch (where applicable) hydraulic
fluid levels are within manufacturers specified maximum
and minimum marks as indicated on the fluid reservoirs
6. Check power steering fluid level to manufacturer's
specification
Using power steering fluid reservoir dipstick (where
visible) confirm fluid level is within manufacturers
indicated maximum and minimum marks
7. Check condition/adjustment of visible drive belts
Examine external engine auxiliary drive belts for signs of
cracking, perishing, splitting, missing teeth and damage.
Carry out a physical deflection test on the drive belt to
confirm it they have adequate tension
8. Check condition of engine compartment pipes and hoses
Visually examine all coolant, oil and power steering hoses
for cracking, splits, deterioration and leakage
9. Check condition of engine mountings
Observe where visible engine mountings for cracking,
missing bolts/nuts deterioration to rubber mounting
assemblies
10. Check battery is secure and starts engine with ease
Visually check battery mounting cradle for security and
that all mountings are present. Confirm where visible that
wiring connections are secure
11. Check vehicle charging system
Visually check battery mounting cradle for security and
that all mountings are present. Confirm where visible that
wiring connections are secure
12. Check under body and chassis for excess corrosion
and ensure chassis is free from extensive structural
accident repairs
Examine underside body sections and chassis for evidence
of excessive corrosion and / or deterioration to underseal.
Visually examine body and chassis for evidence of previous
accident repairs and if repaired determine if work is of
an acceptable quality (see item 24)
13. Check exhaust system for security and ensure free
from gas leakage/excess corrosion
Examine exterior of exhaust pipes, silencers and catalysts
for correct positioning, component integrity, excessive
corrosion, holes, fractures and leakage
14. Visual check of steering rack and pinion or box for
leakage/mountings and test for any excess component
free-play
Visual check of steering rack and pinion or box for
leakage/mountings and test for any excess component
free-play
15. Visual check of steering rods, joints and gaiters
for excess component free-play leakage
Visual check of steering rods, joints and gaiters for
excess component free play or leakage
16. Braking system - visual check component condition,
leakage and test for any excess component free play
Examine brake pads where visible/accessible and assess
whether replacement is required. Examine brake pipes for
excess corrosion and leakage. Examine flexible hoses for
bulges, splits, cracks, leakage, twisting and poor routing
17. Suspension (front) - visual check component
condition, leakage and test for any excess component
free-play
Examine front suspension arms, ball joints, wishbones, tie
rods and anti roll bars for security, split/leaking
gaiters, excess play in ball joints and mountings,
debonding of bushes and integrity of suspension arms, i.e
not bent or visibly distorted or damaged
18. Suspension (rear) - visual check component
condition, leakage and test for any excess component
free-play
Examine rear suspension arms/location rods, anti roll
bars, ball joints, wishbones, bushes and cross bars for
damage, distortion, excess play, split gaiters and grease
leakage
19. Gearbox - visual check for leakage, linkages,
mounting condition and backlash
Where visible, examine gearbox for security and condition
of mountings, oil leakage, gear linkage rods, bushes and
cables for wear, damage and excess free play
20. Final drive - visual check for security excess
free-play and leakage
Where final drive is a separate unit from the gearbox and
where visible, examine for oil leakage, damage, security
and condition of mountings
21. Prop shaft where applicable - check for security
and excess free play
Where applicable examine prop shaft for security, confirm
all securing bolts and nuts are present. Examine joints
and couplings for excess free play and perishing of rubber
mounts
22. Check underside for any evidence of fluid/fuel
leakage
Examine underside of vehicle to determine presence of
oil/fuel leaks
23. Check underside pipes/hoses for condition
Examine pipes and hoses routed beneath the vehicle for
perishing, corrosion, damage, leakage and splitting
24. Check all previous structural body repairs/accident
damage has been repaired to a satisfactory standard
Visually confirm previous accident repairs have been
carried out to an acceptable standard. I.E examine repairs
for poor welding quality, poor panel alignment on repaired
damage, corrosion, poor paint and corrosion protection
applications
25. Check body panel/alignment
Examine exterior body panels to determine condition and
assess panel alignment for correct panel location. Panels
should not be fouling and free from major accident damage
26. Check child locks for correct operation
Physically switch child safety locks to the 'on' position
and test operation by attempting to open the doors from
the inside
27. Check all locking systems operate correctly
Test operation of all door handles, locks and knobs. Where
applicable insert keys into all exterior door lock barrels
and test locking/unlocking and test remote central locking
systems and remote window open close systems
28. Check road wheels are free from visual damage,
i.e.kerb damage (including wheel rims)
Examine road wheels for excessive damage, distortion both
on the outside and inside of the rims
29. Check tyres meet legal requirements and have a
minimum tread depth of 2mm
Examine tyres for abnormal wear, sidewalls and treads for
splits, cuts, bulges and cracking. Measure tread depths
and record a minimum depth present
30. Check jack and wheel brace present and intact
Confirm presence of vehicle jack, wheel brace and locking
wheel bolt release key
31. Check windshield and other glass for damage, i.e.
chips and excessive scratches
Examine all vehicle glass for excessive scratches, stone
chips, cracks and damage
32. Check visible areas of wiring for damage and
security
Examine visible wiring harnesses for signs of external
damage, chafing, perished insulation, exposed conductors
and poor routing
33. Check lights and indicator for operation, security
and damage
Test the operation of sidelights, dipped/main beam
headlamps, foglamps, auxiliary lamps and number plate
lamps. Test operation of all indicators, wing repeaters
and hazard lights. Assess all associated switches for
correct operation. Examine light and indicator units for
security of mounting and integrity of lenses.
34. Check windscreen washers, wiper motors and wiper
blades
Examine front and rear wiper blades to determine security
and condition of blade elements. Operate wash/wipe systems
to test all wiper speeds and that all the washer jets are
clear and free from blockage
35. Check horn
Operate horn, test for acceptable tone/volume and assess
switch operation
36. Check in-car entertainment - Radio; tape, CD
Where fitted operate vehicle radio, cassette and cd
players for operation. Determine if all speakers are
working with a reasonable sound reproduction
37. Check seat belts for condition and security
Operate front and rear seat belts to assess webbing for
damage. Operate buckles and catches and test security.
Observe the seat belt recoil action to determine correct
operation
38. Check dashboard warning lights for correct
operation
Switch on ignition and check the instrument panel warning
lamps illumination. Check that all appropriate lamps
extinguish correctly
39. Check window and exterior mirror operations
Test operation of electric windows and switches. Check for
abnormal noises and operation of window drop glasses.
Operate all external door mirrors and test adjustment
switches to confirm that mirror glasses move in all
directions. Confirm electric door mirror folding function
operates where applicable
40. Check heating/air conditioning and ventilation
system operation
Test heating/air conditioning and ventilation system for
function and confirm operation. Operate all vents,
switches and controls. Listen for any abnormal noises from
the heater mote, control or system
41. Check seat adjusters
Operate manual and electrical seat controls and check for
correct function
42. Check seat security/mountings
Examine seat structure for security and excess movement
43. Check general equipment, i.e. cigar lighter, gauges
and sun visor etc.
Check general equipment e.g. cigar lighter and sun visors
operation
44. Check ease of engine starting and that the starter
motor performs as expected when starting the engine
Start engine, observe the ease and speed at which the
engine cranks over and then fires. Listen for abnormal
starter motor noises during and after the starting process
45. Conduct Road Test
Carry out a road test to assess overall handling and
performance
46. Check footbrake action for correct operation to
ensure free from excess travel etc.
Test footbrake operation to assess pedal travel, judder
and to determine if the effort required and brake
performance is of acceptable level
47. Check handbrake action for correct operation to
ensure free from excess travel etc.
Operate handbrake/parking brake and assess extent of
travel, determine security of level mechanism
48. Check clutch and accelerator operation and pedal
position
Whilst operating the clutch and accelerator pedals assess
operation including excess travel and/or binding
49. Check clutch operation to ensure free from slip,
drag, judder
Conduct a stall test to assess the clutch mechanism for
slippage. During normal gear changes observe the clutch
operation to assess for judder
50. Check transmission for correct operation and gear
selection
Check all gears engage/disengage correctly. Determine if
any excess free play is present in the gear linkage
51. Check engine performance
Assess engine acceleration determining that no hesitation,
flat spots or lack of power is evident
52. Check for excess engine noise
Assess engine for abnormal and excessive noise
53. Check for excess smoke emissions from exhaust
Examine exhaust for evidence of excess smoke
54. Check instruments and controls for correct
operation
Test all controls to determine correct functionality e.g.
indicator self cancel, oil pressure gauges and temperature
gauges
55. Check for evidence of overheating
Assess coolant temperature via vehicle gauge to determine
if reading of needle is within the safe zone
56. Check steering wheel alignment
Check steering wheel centralises
57. Check general handling stability
Assess vehicle handling for abnormal characteristics e.g.
vehicle drifting, steering judder, wheel vibration and
body vibration
58. Check footbrake and handbrake performance
Confirm that the foot brake performance is satisfactory,
including the vehicle stops without veering to either side
or the need for excess foot pedal pressure. Determine that
the handbrake/parking brake holds the vehicle when fully
applied
59. Check hot restarting
Confirm that the engine restarts correctly
60. Check for oil and fluid leaks under bonnet after
road tests
Check for oil and fluid leaks under the bonnet after road
tests
