Unattended Roadworthy Inspection - How It Works
I inspected this Hyundai in Manly today as an unattended inspection. The owner wasn’t home – she left the key under the mat, I did the inspection, sent the certificate to her email, put the key back, and left. She didn’t have to take time off, didn’t have to wait around, and had her certificate before she got home from work.
This is one of the most popular options I offer and probably the one that surprises people the most when they find out it’s available.
How unattended inspections work
It’s simple:
Book online and select the unattended option. In the notes, tell me where the key will be – under the mat, in the letterbox, with a neighbour, at reception, in a lockbox, wherever works for you.
I arrive, collect the key, do the full inspection including the test drive, and put the key back where I found it.
If the vehicle passes, the electronic safety certificate goes straight to your email. I also send a text message to let you know it’s done.
If the vehicle fails, you’ll get the inspection report by email listing exactly what needs fixing. We can discuss it by phone or text afterwards if you have questions.
What I need from you
The key. That’s it. Leave it somewhere accessible and tell me where it is when you book.
The vehicle must be parked on flat, hard ground with space around it for me to work. A driveway or car park is ideal.
The vehicle must not be behind a locked gate. I need to take it for a test drive on the road, so it needs a clear path out.
The vehicle must start. If there’s a flat battery or any other issue preventing it from starting, the inspection can’t happen unattended because I have no way to contact you on the spot to resolve it.
When unattended works best
You’re at work and can’t take time off. Book the flexible option for $110, leave the key before you go to work, and the inspection happens during the day.
You’re busy with kids, appointments, or life in general. You don’t need to stand around watching me check tyres and crawl under the car. Leave the key and get on with your day.
You’re selling a car that’s parked at a different address. Maybe it’s at a relative’s house? As long as I have the key and access, I can inspect it wherever it is without anyone being there.
The car is at your workplace. Leave the key at reception or in an agreed spot. I inspect it in the car park during work hours.
When you should be present
There are a few situations where being there is better:
If the vehicle has known issues and you want to discuss them with me before or during the inspection.
If the vehicle is in a tricky location – tight parking, shared driveway, gated property – where I might need your help to access or move it.
If you want to sit next to me during the test drive. Some owners of performance or high-value cars prefer this, which is completely fine.
If there’s anything unusual about the vehicle I should know about – aftermarket modifications, missing compliance plates, a specific issue you want to point out.
In all other cases, unattended works perfectly and saves you time.
Same price, same inspection
An unattended inspection is the same full roadworthy inspection as an attended one. Same checklist, same standards, same certificate. The only difference is that you’re not standing there watching. Nothing is skipped or shortened because the owner isn’t present.
The flexible option at $110 booked online is the most popular choice for unattended inspections. I arrive between 8am and 4.30pm, which covers the full work day.
