What the AA’s 125-point vehicle condition inspection really covers

The Automobile Association (AA) has partnered with a raft of pre-owned dealerships around South Africa in 2022 to offer AA-backed condition reports of all their vehicles to future owners, the newest one opening its doors early in December in Umhlanga Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal.

These AA-certified dealers perform 125-point checks on their inventory in order to “provide a report for the prospective buyer so that they have an informed idea of the facts of the car at the time of assessment,” said the AA.

Currently, 11 such dealerships are located around the country both in large and small towns, with a plan of growing this network to over 150 by the end of 2024.

TopAuto reached out to the AA to find out what its checks cover, and how it assures truthful reporting in the not-so-trasparent world of pre-owned cars.

Trusted brand

To ensure truthful reporting from the dealer’s side on the vehicle condition report, the AA only allows inspections to be carried out by an assessor who is accredited by the association itself.

The AA said it prides itself on being a “trusted brand” in South Africa with this credibility extending to the partnerships it has formed with select dealers.

“It is therefore imperative that in our engagement with the dealerships that we have partnered with, we walk away certain that the values of the AA brand and that of the dealership are aligned,” it said.

AA 125-point vehicle inspection

In their inspections, the AA-certified assessors touch on a total of 125 checkpoints when drafting a vehicle report so that there are fewer unforeseen surprises for buyers down the line.

The state of each of the components being reviewed is recorded in one of three conditions – for example Good, Acceptable, or Needs replacement – with space for additional comments to be written down by the inspector.

The checkpoints are detailed below, as provided by the association:

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Body

1. 1. Windscreen
   2. Number Plates
   3. Door Locks
   4. Side Mirrors
   5. Dents/scratches/misalignment on body

Interior

1. 1. Ignition lock/switch
   2. Front park lights
   3. Headlights bright
   4. Headlights dim
   5. Fog lights front
   6. Daytime driving lights
   7. Rear park pights
   8. Stop lights
   9. Reverse lights
   10. Number plate light
   11. Rear Fog lights
   12. Hazard lights
   13. LHS Indicator
   14. RHS Indicator
   15. Interior lights
   16. Controls/switches
   17. Instruments
   18. Horn
   19. Driver window mechanism
   20. Passenger window mechanism
   21. LHS Rear window mechanism
   22. RHS rear window mechanism
   23. Sunroof operation (if applicable)
   24. Convertible roof (if applicable)
   25. LHS mirror adjustment
   26. RHS mirror adjustment
   27. Rear view mirror
   28. Windscreen wiper and washer
   29. Rear wiper and washer
   30. Cabin geater
   31. Air conditioner/HVAC system
   32. Radio and audio system
   33. Set clock
   34. Driver seatbelt condition
   35. Driver seatbelt adjustment and catch
   36. Driver seat upholstery
   37. Passenger seatbelt condition
   38. Passenger seatbelt adjustment and catch
   39. Passenger seat upholstery
   40. Rear passenger seatbelt condition
   41. Rear passenger seatbelt adjustment and catch
   42. Rear passenger seat upholstery
   43. Panels, covers, and trim fitment
   44. Carpets and mats
   45. Roof lining fitment
   46. Check and clear diagnostic fault codes
   47. Bonnet release lever

Boot

1. 1. Boot lock
   2. Boot hinges
   3. Boot linings
   4. Spare wheel (if applicable)
   5. Jack (if applicable)
   6. Wheel spanner (if applicable)
   7. Security lock nut (if applicable)
   8. Run flat repair kit (if applicable)

Engine compartment

1. 1. Bonnet hinge
   2. Bonnet catch
   3. Coolant level and leaks
   4. Oil and fluid leaks
   5. Radiator cap
   6. Hoses/pipes condition and fitment
   7. Auxiliary drive belt/s
   8. Brake fluid level and condition
   9. Engine oil level and condition
   10. Power steering oil level
   11. Clutch fluid
   12. All components secured safely

Starting and charging system

1. 1. Battery condition
   2. Battery fitment
   3. Battery voltage normal 12.6 V
   4. Battery voltage starting 9.6 V
   5. Alternator charging 13.5v-15v

Undercarriage

1. 1. Steering system
   2. Oil and fluid leaks
   3. Exhaust leaks
   4. Springs/suspension bushes and links front
   5. Springs/suspension bushes and links rear
   6. Shocks Front
   7. Shocks rear
   8. Front brakes
   9. Rear brakes
   10. Brake pipe fitment
   11. Front wheel bearings
   12. Rear wheel bearings
   13. Drive shafts
   14. Fuel tank leaks
   15. Fuel pipe fitment
   16. RF tyre tread
   17. RF tyre size
   18. LF tyre tread
   19. LF tyre size
   20. LR tyre tread
   21. LR tyre size
   22. RR tyre tread
   23. RR tyre size

Test drive

1. 1. Fast idle (Cold)
   2. Noise at idle (Cold)
   3. Excessive fumes/smoke at idle
   4. Final drive noise
   5. Gearbox noise
   6. Engine noise
   7. Turbo/super charger noise (if applicable)
   8. Clutch operation (if applicable)
   9. Auto gearbox operation (if applicable)
   10. Cruise control/adaptive (if applicable)
   11. Instrument cluster functions
   12. Warning lights
   13. Overheating
   14. Engine performance
   15. Road-holding/stability
   16. Brake operation
   17. Brake noise
   18. Brake shudder
   19. Emergency stop test/ABS
   20. Steering effort and play
   21. Suspension noise
   22. Vibrations and harshness over 110km/h
   23. Handbrake function
   24. Hot restarting
   25. Re-check diagnostic fault codes

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