Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Norwich
Buying a used car in Norwich? Motorpoint opened on Turnpike Close in December 2024, the Cromer Road and Hall Road stretches of the A140 carry most of the franchised dealers, and the new Jaguar Land Rover centre is out at Postwick. We inspect the car where it is for sale: full diagnostics, a road test, a history check and a video report the same day.
Covering Norwich and the surrounding towns at one price with no mileage charge
Pre-purchase car inspections in Norwich
Norwich's used cars sit along the A140. North of the city on Cromer Road are Motorvogue's Hyundai, Fiat, Jeep, Abarth and Alfa Romeo showrooms, with Motorpoint's new store round the corner on Turnpike Close, which took over the former CarStore site and holds more than 200 cars. South on Hall Road are Busseys, selling Ford, BYD and Ineos Grenadier. Heigham Street in the west has Desira's Chrysler and Jeep site and Holden's Renault and Dacia showroom, and the Jaguar Land Rover centre has moved from Cromer Road to Maple Way at Postwick, off the A47, where Duckworth took it over in June 2026.
Norfolk's trade stock comes through East Anglian Motor Auctions at Wymondham, which welcomes private buyers, and Anglia Car Auctions at King's Lynn. We inspect the car where it is for sale and tell you what the shine and the advert leave out, so you decide before you pay and negotiate with the findings in hand.
Norwich and everywhere around it, from Wymondham to Brundall, is inspected at the same price as the rest of our area, with no mileage or call-out charge. Book online, tell us where the car is, and we arrange the time with the dealer or seller. The video, photos and written report arrive the same day.
Postcodes NR1 to NR16.
Every inspection includes
Where we inspect in Norwich
Any dealer forecourt, car supermarket, auction collection or private seller's driveway. These are the main places people in Norwich buy from.
Motorpoint Norwich, Turnpike Close
The city's only car supermarket, off the Cromer Road near the airport. Reserve the car, tell them an inspector is coming, and we inspect before you sign the finance.
Cromer Road (A140 north)
Motorvogue's Hyundai, Fiat, Jeep, Abarth and Alfa Romeo showrooms and the independents around Hellesdon and the airport.
Hall Road (A140 south) and Heigham Street
Busseys Ford, BYD and Ineos on Hall Road; Desira and Holden on Heigham Street. Both a few minutes from the ring road.
Duckworth Jaguar Land Rover, Postwick
The new JLR centre at Broadland Gate off the A47. Approved-used Range Rovers and Defenders prepared by the dealer, checked by us.
East Anglian Motor Auctions, Wymondham, and private sellers
EAMA welcomes private buyers. We also inspect on driveways in Sprowston, Thorpe St Andrew, Costessey, Taverham, Eaton and Cringleford. Tell us the postcode when you book.
Included in Standard and Premium
What your mechanical report covers
An in-depth mechanical inspection brings the physical checks, diagnostic results and driving behaviour together. Your report explains the condition we found, the concerns and their significance for your purchase.
Engine & cooling system
Oil and coolant condition and levels, visible leaks, belts and hoses, engine mounts, timing-drive noise and engine performance under load where applicable.
Gearbox & drivetrain
Gearbox and clutch operation where fitted, gear changes, mounts, driveshafts and CV joints, with findings on unusual noise, vibration and driving behaviour.
Brakes, steering & suspension
Accessible pads, discs, calipers and brake lines; parking brake, steering, suspension components, dampers, joints and bushes; wheel and tyre condition.
Diagnostics & electrical systems
Full-system scan for available fault codes and warnings, plus 12V battery and charging checks. EV and hybrid inspections include relevant powertrain, charging and battery-management checks where supported.
Road-test findings
How the car accelerates, changes gear, brakes, steers and handles, including unusual noises and vibration. Premium includes an extended road test. Road tests depend on safety and permission.
Evidence, priorities & buying advice
Written findings, photos and a clear video review explain the issues observed and what needs attention. A personal call helps you understand the concerns and decide what to ask before buying.
Checks are adapted to the vehicle and accessible components. The report records any checks that could not be completed. Both packages also include bodywork, interior and vehicle history checks. Keep the video, photos and report as evidence of the issues observed at the time.
Choose the inspection that suits the car
Clear pricing, the same anywhere in Norwich, with no quote to request first.
Standard Inspection
£199.99
160-point pre-purchase inspection
An in-depth mechanical inspection of the relevant engine and drivetrain, brakes, steering, suspension and diagnostics. Includes road test, vehicle history, a clear video review, photo evidence and personal buying guidance.
Book StandardPremium Inspection
£249.99
260-point pre-purchase inspection
Everything in Standard, including the video review, plus deeper condition checks, paint-depth readings, an extended road test, available auction, salvage and previous advert searches, and checks for indicators of undisclosed motor trading. Subject to available records, seller cooperation and road-test permission.
Book PremiumBuying an electric or plug-in hybrid car in Norwich?
Add a CARA Approved® Autel EV Battery State of Health report to either inspection for £49.99, or book the battery check on its own for £149.99. It isn't included in Standard or Premium.
+£49.99
EV battery detailsCompare what's included
Standard
£199.99
160-point inspection
Premium
£249.99
260-point inspection
In both inspections
- We come to the carAt the dealer, the seller's home or yours, across London, Essex, East Anglia and the Midlands
- History checkOutstanding finance, insurance write-off, stolen and mileage records
- Full diagnostic scan
- Engine, gearbox, brakes, steering, suspension and tyres
- Electric and hybrid fault checksHigh-voltage, charging and battery-management systems, where supported
- Road testExtended in Premium
- Video review, photos and a same-day report
- Personal call and buying advice
Premium also adds
- Paint-depth readings on suitable panels
- Deeper bodywork and condition assessment
- Repair-cost guidance and an action planWhat to fix now, within three months and later
- Seller and logbook (V5C) checksWhere documents and permission are available
- Auction, salvage and previous advert searchesIncluding Copart, where records are available
- Checks for signs of undisclosed motor trading
Optional EV battery State of Health report
+£49.99
The battery's health as a percentage, with its own report. Not included in either inspection. For compatible electric and plug-in hybrid cars.
Standard + report£249.98
Premium + report£299.98
Only need the battery checked? The battery health check on its own is £149.99.
Searches depend on the records available, and electric checks on what the car supports.
What happens after you book?
Choose a package and appointment
Book online, pick your time and tell us where the car is being sold.
We drive to the car
We come to the seller or dealer anywhere in Norwich, at the same price with no mileage or call-out charge.
We inspect and test
We carry out the physical, diagnostic, history and road-test checks, and film the video review at the car.
Understand before you decide
You get the video review, photos and digital report the same day, then we talk through the findings and the buying decision with you. Keep the evidence for future reference.
See a sample inspection report
See the level of detail, findings and checklist before you book.
View sample reportEV battery health checks
What the State of Health assessment checks on compatible electric and plug-in hybrid cars.
EV battery healthQuestions from Norwich buyers
Can you inspect a car at Motorpoint on Turnpike Close before I sign the finance?
Yes. Reserve the car and tell the sales team an independent inspector is booked; supermarket sites are used to it. We inspect on their premises, road test where they allow it and send you the video, photos and report the same day, so you sign knowing what you are buying.
Will you travel to a private seller in Sprowston or Thorpe St Andrew on a Saturday?
Yes. We inspect at private addresses seven days a week, subject to the diary. Ask the seller to have the keys, V5C and any service history ready, somewhere level to park, and permission for a short road test. We can arrange all of that with them directly if you give us their number.
Can you check a car I have bought at East Anglian Motor Auctions in Wymondham before I drive it home?
Yes, by arrangement with the auction once the car is yours, or at your home afterwards. A full inspection before the hammer is rarely possible because viewing time is short and the cars are sold as seen, but we can tell you quickly whether what you have bought needs attention before a long drive.
Can you inspect an approved-used car at Duckworth Jaguar Land Rover in Postwick?
Yes. Reserve the car, tell the sales team an independent inspector is coming and we inspect on their site. An approved-used car has been prepared by the dealer. Our report is written for you, with the scan, the paint readings and the road test, so you know exactly what you are buying.
Do I need to be there?
No. We can inspect the car directly with the seller or dealer and send you the video review, photos and report afterwards, then talk it through with you on the phone.
Will you tell me whether to buy the car?
We give you the findings, point out what matters and what it is likely to cost, and talk it through so you can make your own decision. We have no commission from the sale, so the advice is straight.
Page last checked 20 October 2026 by Henry, Pro Vehicle Inspections.
Nearby areas we cover
Inspect it before you buy it.
Independent pre-purchase vehicle inspections in Norwich from £199.99.
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