Pre-purchase inspection for an EV — battery health, charging, and gotchas
EVs have fewer moving parts but more expensive failure modes. A pre-purchase inspection on an EV is heavier on data and lighter on grease.
- Reviewed by
- NSW Pink Slip Review Panel
- Published
- 5 March 2026
- Read time
- 3 min
The used EV market is maturing and prices are dropping. That means great buys and also plenty of tired batteries wearing fresh paint. Here's what a proper EV inspection looks at.
Battery state of health (SoH)
The single most important number on a used EV. We pull it directly from the vehicle's diagnostic port, cross-reference with charge history, and compare to expected degradation for the model year and mileage. A Tesla Model 3 at 80,000 km should be showing 88–92% SoH. Anything under 85% at that mileage warrants deep questions.
Charging systems
Onboard AC charger function, DC fast-charge port condition, charge history log (frequency of fast charging correlates with battery stress), inverter and cooling system operation.
ADAS and calibration
Modern EVs are laden with cameras, radar and lidar. Any post-purchase windscreen or bumper repair typically requires ADAS recalibration — an expense buyers don't always factor in. We check for signs of prior repair and confirm the current calibration is valid.
The bits that are the same as an ICE inspection
Tyres, brakes, suspension, structure, glass, interior electronics, seatbelts. All still matter, all still get checked.
Frequently asked.
- Can you inspect a Tesla?
- Yes — Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X. We have the diagnostic access to pull battery SoH data.
- How long does an EV inspection take?
- 60–90 minutes, similar to an ICE car. Slightly less time on the mechanical side, more on the data side.
- Do you charge extra for EVs?
- No — flat $280 inc GST regardless of drivetrain.
About the author
NSW Pink Slip — Lead Inspection Team
Lead AIS-Authorised eSafety Inspector · 18+ years
Our lead inspection team is Transport for NSW-authorised under the Authorised Inspection Scheme (AIS) to issue eSafety Checks (pink slips) for light vehicles up to 4.5t. Combined 18+ years of hands-on Sydney workshop experience — starting in general repair, moving through diagnostic specialisation on European and Japanese platforms, and settling into full-time mobile inspection since 2019. Every article on this site is authored or reviewed by a currently-authorised AIS examiner. If we can't verify a claim against a Transport for NSW or Service NSW source, it doesn't ship.
- ✓Transport for NSW authorised AIS examiner
- ✓Cert IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis
- ✓Cert III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- ✓Cert III in Automotive Electrical Technology
- ✓Working with Children Check (WWC) verified
Reviewed by NSW Pink Slip Review Panel — Reviews every technical article for accuracy against current Transport for NSW rules, AIS inspector guidelines and manufacturer service data.
Meet the full inspection team →Related from the workshop.
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