Private sale, one car, one straight opinion.
The full picture before you commit.
Volume trade-in and fleet appraisals.
Side by side
| Check | Essential | Complete | Dealer & fleet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery state of health test | Included | Included | Included |
| High-voltage & isolation check | Included | Included | Included |
| 120-point conventional inspection | Included | Included | Optional |
| Live AC & DC charge test | — | Included | Included |
| Thermal & drive unit assessment | — | Included | Optional |
| Fault codes, firmware & recalls | — | Included | Included |
| Costed defect list & phone debrief | Written only | Included | On request |
| Time on site | ~90 min | 2–3 hrs | Per vehicle |
| Price | $349 | $479 | POA |
What we check
We read the pack directly: usable capacity against original, cell voltage spread, charge cycle count and temperature history. Then we translate it into what it means for range today and resale value in three years.
Isolation resistance testing, contactor operation, orange cable and connector condition, and evidence of previous high-voltage repair work — the single biggest hidden risk in a used EV.
We run a live charge session on both AC and DC where a charger is available, checking on-board charger behaviour, port wear, cable locking and how the car tapers under load.
Motor noise under load, reduction gear whine, driveshaft and mount condition, inverter fault history and regenerative braking performance on the road test.
Coolant condition and level, pump and chiller operation, radiator and line inspection, plus any sign of the overheating events that quietly shorten a pack's life.
Stored and pending fault codes, firmware version, service and warranty records, outstanding recall campaigns, and whether the battery warranty transfers to you.
Body panels and paint depth, previous accident repair, tyres and alignment wear, brakes (including the seizing rear calipers EVs are prone to), suspension, glass, 12-volt system, interior electronics and a road test in traffic.
We don't dismantle the pack, we don't quote you for the repairs we find, and we don't take a cent from the seller or the dealer. Our only job is to tell you what you're buying.
Tell us the make, model and year and we'll tell you exactly what that car needs — including when Essential is genuinely enough.
