Every check we run before we hand back your keys
A multi-point vehicle inspection at Turbo & Diesel in Frankton, Hamilton covers six categories, interior and exterior, under-bonnet, underbody, tyres, brakes and battery.
4.7 from 50 Google reviews 20+ years 10,000+ vehicles serviced
Why multi-point inspection checklist is done differently here
Real photos from the floor on Kahikatea Drive. Same team, same hoists, same standards on every job, from a quick check through to a full strip-down.
What you get when you book this service
15 checks performed on every visit
- Interior visual inspection, upholstery, carpets, mirrors, glass, dashboard warning lights and cabin operation
- Exterior visual inspection, body damage marked on a diagram, panel condition, lights, wipers and horn tested
- Under-bonnet fluid levels checked, engine oil, coolant, brake, clutch, power steering, washer and battery electrolyte
- Drive belts, cooling, heater and air conditioning hoses inspected for cracking, glaze and weeping
- Engine air filter and cabin air filter inspected for restriction
- Underbody inspection on the hoist, shock absorbers, springs, suspension bushes, ball joints, sway bars
- Steering gearbox or rack, linkage, tie-rod ends, rubber boots, and ball joint dust covers checked for play and tearing
- Exhaust, mufflers, clamps, pipes, mountings and heat shields inspected end to end
- Frame, chassis, sub-frames and body mounts inspected for corrosion and impact damage
- Driveshaft, CV joints, U-joints, differentials and transfer case inspected for play, leaks and boot condition
- Fuel tank, fuel lines, vent lines, transmission lines and cooler lines inspected for chafe and seepage
- Tyre tread depth measured in /32 on all four corners, pressure verified, wheel balance and alignment assessed
- Brake lining thickness measured in millimetres on every wheel, plus disc, drum and hardware condition
- Battery terminals, cables and mountings checked; full capacity load test performed
- Written report with traffic-light status per item, technician comments and recommended next steps
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Same-day response. Phone the workshop or send a quick form, whichever suits you.
4.7 from 50 Google reviews 20+ years 10,000+ vehicles serviced
Why Hamilton trusts us with multi-point inspection checklist
Comprehensive every visit
The full inspection is part of our standard servicing, not an upsell and not a paid extra. You get the same checklist whether the car is in for a WOF or a major service.
Traffic-light written report
Green, yellow or red status against every item, plus technician comments. You leave with a clear record for budgeting, planning and resale documentation.
Workshop-based, not driveway
We run the inspection on a hoist with full underside access, calibrated brake measurement, and a scan tool plugged in. That is not possible on a driveway visit.
Pre-purchase ready
Standalone pre-purchase inspections are a core part of our work, including diesel-specific checks for utes and motorhomes that most petrol-focused workshops do not run.
Honest workshop
No surprises and no upselling, only the work that is genuinely needed. Anything beyond the agreed scope is quoted before it is touched.
Simple, transparent process
- 01
Book and confirm scope
Phone (07) 847 3339 or book online. Tell us whether it is a service-bundled inspection, a standalone pre-purchase check, or a pre-trip check before a long drive.
- 02
Hoist and visual inspection
Vehicle goes up on the hoist. The technician works the checklist top to bottom, interior, under-bonnet, underbody, tyres, brakes, with calibrated tools where needed.
- 03
Electronic health scan
Manufacturer-level scan tool reads every accessible module for stored and pending fault codes. Live data on key sensors is verified against factory specification.
- 04
Traffic-light report and quote
Each item is graded green, yellow or red. Anything red gets a written quote and a phone call before any further work is started.
- 05
Walk-through at pickup
We hand over the printed report and walk you through every yellow and red item, what it means, and what the timing looks like for sorting it.
Trained to the standards behind your vehicle
Everything you should know about multi-point inspection checklist
A workshop perspective on what's involved, how we run the job, and what shapes the final cost.
Why a multi-point vehicle inspection in Hamilton matters
A Warrant of Fitness passes a vehicle on the day. It does not tell you the rear shock absorbers are weeping, the brake fluid has not been changed in five years, the battery is six months from a no-start morning, or that the CV boot on the left front is one trip away from splitting. That is what a multi-point inspection is for, a structured, calibrated look at everything the WOF does not cover, plus the items it does. Hamilton drivers see the value most clearly when buying a used import, before a long Waikato-to-Auckland-to-Wellington trip, or after taking over a vehicle from another owner. Our workshop is on Kahikatea Drive in Frankton, the inspection runs on a hoist with calibrated tools and a manufacturer-level scan tool plugged in, and the report you leave with is the same one a fleet manager or a finance company would accept.
What our multi-point inspection covers
The inspection runs through six structured categories. Every item lands on a traffic-light report: green acceptable, yellow plan-ahead, red immediate.
Interior & exterior
- Upholstery, carpets, floor mats, mirrors and glass
- Windscreen condition: cracks, chips, pitting
- All warning lights and cabin operation
- Horn, wipers and washer spray
- Every exterior light
- Parking brake operation
- Emergency brake adjustment
- Fuel tank cap gasket
- In-cabin air filter
- Dome, map and trunk lights
- Glove box
Engine & driveline
- Drive belts: cracking and glaze check
- Engine coolant system
- Engine air filter and cabin air filter: restriction check
Cooling & fluids
- Engine oil level
- Coolant level
- Brake fluid level
- Clutch fluid level
- Power steering fluid level
- Washer fluid level
- Battery electrolyte level
- Cooling, heater and air conditioning hoses: checked at every joint for weeping
Electrical & lighting
- Under-hood lights
- Electronic health scan: every accessible module read for stored and pending fault codes; key live values checked against factory specification
Brakes
- Left front brake lining thickness (mm)
- Right front brake lining thickness (mm)
- Left rear brake lining thickness (mm)
- Right rear brake lining thickness (mm)
- Disc surface condition
- Drum and shoe condition where fitted
- Brake hardware and hardware kits
Suspension & steering
- Shock absorbers and springs: weep and travel
- Steering gearbox or rack and pinion
- Steering linkage and tie-rod ends
- Ball joints and dust boots
- Sway bars and end-links
- Frame, chassis, sub-frames and body mount condition
Wheels & tyres
- Tread depth measured in /32 on every corner
- Tyre pressure verified
- Wheel balance assessed
- Wheel alignment assessed for uneven wear pattern
Body & underbody
- Exhaust system: mufflers, clamps, pipes, mountings and heat shields
- Axles, CV boots and U-joints
- Differentials and transfer case: play and leaks
- Transmission lines and cooler lines: chafe and seepage
- Fuel tank, fuel lines and vent lines: chafe and seepage
- Body damage recorded on a diagram with technician notes
Safety & restraints
- Battery terminals, cables and mountings
- Full battery capacity load test under draw
How a multi-point inspection runs at our Frankton workshop
You phone or book online and tell us the context, bundled with a service, standalone pre-purchase, pre-trip, or fleet check. On the day the vehicle goes onto the scan tool first so any electronic faults are visible before the technician picks up a torque wrench. Then it goes up on the hoist. The technician works top to bottom, interior, under-bonnet, underbody, tyres off for brake measurement, suspension flex-tested, exhaust and fuel system traced. Calibrated gauges measure brake lining and tyre tread to spec. Battery comes off for the load test. Photos are taken of anything graded yellow or red so the report is not just a tick-list. The vehicle comes back down, goes out for a short road test on a known loop, and the technician writes the report. You collect with the printed traffic-light document and a walk-through of the items that matter.
What affects the cost
The price varies with the vehicle and the inspection type. A small petrol hatch on a bundled service is a quicker job than a high-mileage diesel ute on a standalone pre-purchase inspection that needs common-rail injector return rate and turbo health checks added in. Modified vehicles, imported vehicles with undocumented service history, motorhomes and commercial light trucks take longer because there is more to look at, extra wheels, extra fluids, extra systems. Bundled with a full service the inspection is part of the package, not a paid extra. As a standalone, we charge for the workshop time plus any add-on diagnostics you ask for (compression test, leak-down, borescope). We do not charge for the report itself or the walk-through at pickup, that is part of how we work. For a quote on your specific vehicle, call (07) 847 3339 or use the contact form.
Hamilton and Waikato coverage
The workshop is on Kahikatea Drive in Frankton, three minutes from the Hamilton ring road and convenient from Hillcrest, Rototuna, Te Rapa, Chartwell, Glenview, Dinsdale and Nawton. Most pre-purchase inspections come from buyers across the wider Waikato, used imports landed in Hamilton, dealer cars in Cambridge and Te Awamutu, private sales in Morrinsville, Huntly, Ngaruawahia and out toward Raglan. Service-bundled inspections are part of every full service we do for daily drivers, family wagons, fleet utes and motorhomes from Matamata, Tirau, Otorohanga and Putaruru. We are open Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, closed weekends. Book your inspection on (07) 847 3339 or workshop@turbodiesel.co.nz.
Full multi-point inspection categories
Each item is recorded against one of three statuses:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green | Checked and acceptable |
| Yellow | May need future attention |
| Red | Requires immediate attention |
Interior and exterior
- Fluid levels: oil, washer, battery, brake, coolant, power steering
- Windshield washer spray and wiper blades
- Windscreen condition, cracks, chips, pitting
- Upholstery, carpets, floor mats, mirrors, and glass
- Emergency brake adjustment
- Horn operation
- Fuel tank cap gasket
- In-cabin air filter
- Cabin operation (where equipped)
- Dome, map, and trunk lights
- All exterior light devices
- Parking brake operation
- Glove box
Under hood
- Fluid levels: oil, coolant, battery, power steering, brake, clutch, washer
- Engine air filter
- Drive belts (all applicable)
- Engine coolant system
- Cooling, heater, and air conditioning hoses with connections
- Under-hood lights
Under vehicle
- Shock absorbers and suspension
- Steering gearbox, linkage, boots, and ball joints (front and rear)
- Muffler
- Exhaust, clamps, pipes, and mountings
- Frame and body components
- Axles, boots, U-joints, and drive shaft
- Universal joints
- Differential and transfer case
- Transmission lines, couplings, fuel tank, fuel tank vent, and fuel system (lines and hoses)
Tyres
| Position | Tread depth (/32) | Pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Left front | __ | __ |
| Right front | __ | __ |
| Left rear | __ | __ |
| Right rear | __ | __ |
- Wheel balance check
- Wheel alignment check
Brakes
- Left front brake lining (mm)
- Right front brake lining (mm)
- Left rear brake lining (mm)
- Right rear brake lining (mm)
Battery performance
- Battery terminals, cables, and mountings
- Overall battery condition (capacity test)
Body damage and wear
Marked on a body diagram with technician notes.
Technician comments
Open notes section for additional observations and recommended next steps.
Last reviewed and updated
Common Questions
Everything you might want to know before booking.
What is included in a multi-point vehicle inspection in Hamilton?
Six categories, interior and exterior, under-bonnet, underbody, tyres, brakes, and battery, plus a manufacturer-level electronic scan. We measure brake linings in millimetres, tyre tread in 32nds, battery capacity under load, and check every fluid against its specification. Anything outside spec gets a traffic-light grade and a technician comment on the written report.
Is a multi-point inspection the same as a WOF?
No. A Warrant of Fitness is the legal safety inspection, lights, tyres, brakes, structure, glass, required every six or twelve months in New Zealand. Our multi-point inspection is much wider. It covers wear items, fluids, driveline, suspension bushes and electronic health that a WOF does not check. Many vehicles pass a WOF on the day and still have yellow items on a multi-point report.
How long does a multi-point inspection take?
Bundled with a service, the inspection runs in parallel and adds thirty to forty-five minutes. As a standalone pre-purchase inspection, the workshop time is about one to one and a half hours, plus a short road test. We book by vehicle and the technician working on yours is the one who walks you through the report at pickup.
Can I get a pre-purchase inspection before buying a used car?
Yes. Standalone pre-purchase inspections are a core part of our work. Bring the vehicle to us, or have the seller bring it, and we run the full checklist plus a short road test. For used diesels we add common-rail injector return rate, turbo shaft play, DPF soot load and EGR carbon. The report tells you exactly what you are buying.
How much does a pre-purchase inspection cost in Hamilton?
The cost depends on the vehicle type, a small petrol hatch is a faster inspection than a high-mileage diesel ute or motorhome. For a quote on the specific vehicle you are looking at, call (07) 847 3339 with the make, model, year and odometer reading. We will book it in and confirm the timing.
What do the traffic-light statuses mean on the report?
Green means checked and acceptable, no action required. Yellow means it is approaching end of life or out of preferred range, plan to address it within the next service or two. Red means it requires immediate attention, either for safety, for reliability, or because the vehicle will fail its next WOF if left. Every yellow or red item carries a technician comment explaining the call.
Will the inspection catch every fault on the vehicle?
It catches the vast majority, wear, leaks, fluid condition, brake measurement, suspension play, stored fault codes, battery capacity. What it cannot catch without further work is engine internals (you would need a compression and leak-down test), intermittent ECU faults that are not active on the day, or future failures the vehicle has not yet warned about. We say so in the report where it applies.
Should a Japanese import or used import be inspected differently?
Yes. Imports often have undocumented service history, odometer language we have to verify, and parts that may have been replaced with non-NZ-spec items. We run the same multi-point checklist but pay extra attention to fluid colour and level (signs of recent top-up to mask a leak), brake lining wear pattern, underbody corrosion, and any inconsistencies between the build year and the service log we can pull from the ECU.
Can the inspection be done at the seller's house instead of the workshop?
We are workshop-based and that is deliberate. On a hoist we get full underside access, calibrated brake gauges, the scan tool plugged into mains-stable power, and a brake-tested road loop. A driveway inspection cannot do most of that, which is why we believe a forty-minute drive to Frankton gets you a meaningfully better report than a mobile alternative.
What is the difference between a multi-point inspection and a service?
A service is the work, oil and filter, fuel filter, fluid replacements, timing belt at the right interval. A multi-point inspection is the assessment, measuring, checking and grading every system. On a full service the inspection is bundled in. As a standalone, the inspection tells you what work is due without committing to it on the same visit.
Do you check the engine internals as part of the inspection?
Not as part of the standard multi-point check, that would need a compression test, a leak-down test and in some cases a borescope inspection. We do run an electronic scan that flags any combustion-related fault codes, listen for unusual mechanical noises on the road test, and check oil condition. If anything in the report suggests an internal issue, we will recommend the next-level diagnostic as a separate quoted job.
How often should I get a multi-point inspection?
Every full service, which is yearly or every 10,000 km for most vehicles, automatically includes it. If you are doing high mileage, towing heavily, running a fleet, or about to head off on a long trip, an extra standalone inspection between services is worth the time. Pre-purchase is a separate one-off check whenever a used vehicle changes hands.
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4.7 from 50 Google reviews 20+ years 10,000+ vehicles serviced