Since 1925, RAA’s Vehicle Inspection Service has saved South Australian motorists thousands of dollars when buying a used car and given them the assurance they’ve picked up a safe car.
“Since 2000, more than 134,000 people have gained peace of mind when purchasing a used car from a vehicle inspection,” said RAA Senior Manager Mobility and Automotive Policy, Mark Borlace.
“The Vehicle Inspection Service was originally created as an extension of our Technical Advice Service, which was provided to members by a technical expert who worked for RAA one day a week.
“It became clear through this service that ‘advice’ often involved looking at cars and tracing faults, so our expert started offering vehicle inspections as well.”
“In 1937, RAA opened a workshop and garage on Hyde Street, just behind the Hindmarsh Square Headquarters, and vehicle inspections moved in.
“After outgrowing a few spaces, the Vehicle Inspection Service moved location a number of times around the CBD.
“With suburban expansion in the 70s, RAA realised it needed facilities in the north and south as well, so it leased two more properties.”
Over the past 90 years, the RAA Vehicle Inspection Service has achieved a lot to help motorists get a fair deal when buying a used car.
“Some car dealers really didn’t want their cars inspected and would try to talk the buyer out of it, even claiming that car keys weren’t available,” said Mr Borlace.
“RAA put these car dealers on a ‘black list’, until they changed their practices, and told members why they wouldn’t inspect cars at these particular yards.
“Another major achievement came in 1989 when the RAA Approved Vehicle Dealers Scheme was created.
“Car dealers who joined would have every car inspected by RAA, and warranty items fixed, before the cars were displayed for sale – saving car buyers a lot of money.
“Today, RAA offers basic checks, right through to a full inspection which are available via our mobile vehicle inspectors and at our Mile End vehicle inspection workshop.”
For more information or to book a vehicle inspection, visit www.raa.com.au/vehicleinspections or call 8202 4688.
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