how long does a car inspection take

Short answer: anywhere from a quick cuppa to a decent podcast episode. A basic rego/safety check (think NSW eSafety “pink slip” or similar) usually takes about 20–40 minutes, while a standard roadworthy can run 45–60 minutes. If it’s an unregistered vehicle check or something more involved, allow 45–90 minutes; a thorough pre‑purchase inspection is typically 60–120 minutes because someone’s actually poking everything that moves. Add extra time for workshop queues, test drives, photos, and the inevitable “we’ll just double-check that leak.” Turn up on time with the car reasonably clean and accessible, and you’ll shave a few precious minutes. Not glamorous, but far better than buying a lemon that squeaks like a budgie on corrugations.