KAVINA
Join the waitlist

How it works

From the listing to a decision.

How Kavina picks the checks for your car, reads your answers and arrives at a recommendation.

The process

How Kavina works

From the listing to a decision, in five steps. Most of it happens on a single visit.

Step 1

Start with the car in the listing.

Pick the exact make, model, year and trim. Add the kilometres so Kavina knows which maintenance should already have been done.

Make
Volkswagen
Model
Golf
Year
2020
Trim
GTI
Odometer
92,000 km
Checks matched to this trim and mileageJoin the waitlist →

Example: 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI, 92,000 km

Not a generic checklist.

Checks are matched to the model, trim, age and kilometres of the car you're looking at. Pick an answer to see how Kavina reads it.

  • Maintenance · Ask the seller

    Gearbox maintenance

    This vehicle should have had a gearbox service around this mileage.

    You don’t need to inspect the gearbox. Kavina tells you why the service matters and what missing evidence means.

    Ask

    Has the service been completed, and can the seller show a receipt or service record?

    Yellow

    You can’t confirm the service was done. Allow for the cost of a gearbox service in your offer, or ask the seller to have it done before sale.

  • Buyer check · On arrival

    Cold start

    Check whether the engine is already warm when you arrive. Some problems are easier to notice when starting a completely cold engine.

    A warm engine isn’t a sign the seller is hiding anything. It just means one check is still open.

    Ask

    Has the car already been driven today?

    Yellow

    You haven’t been able to verify a true cold start. Try to see the car again before it’s been driven, or arrange an inspection.

  • Test drive · Moving away

    Test drive

    Pull away gently from a standstill a few times, including in slow traffic.

    You only report what you experience. Kavina handles the interpretation.

    Notice

    Does the car hesitate, shudder or jerk when moving away?

    Green

    Nothing noticed. That’s a good sign for the gearbox and clutch.

Findings

Every finding gets a simple label.

Most answers come back green. A yellow is a reason to ask a little more, not a reason to panic.

  • Green

    No meaningful concern.

    Nothing here that should change your decision.

  • Yellow

    Worth a closer look.

    Something to ask more about, negotiate on or have professionally checked.

  • Red

    Significant warning sign.

    Something that should materially affect whether you buy, and at what price.

Then Kavina weighs it all up and recommends one of four things

  • BuyNothing that should hold you back.
  • NegotiateReal costs or open questions worth reflecting in the price.
  • Get inspectedSomething a professional should look at first.
  • Do not buyWarning signs that outweigh the price.

Recalls

Was this model recalled?

Was this car affected, and was the required work completed?

Kavina shows whether a relevant recall existed for the car you're considering and what work was required, then helps you confirm whether it appears to have been done. You don't need to diagnose anything.

Recall check

Recall identified
Required action
Dealer repair or replacement
Ask the seller
Was the recall work completed?
Look for
Dealer or manufacturer confirmation
What you found

The seller showed dealer confirmation that the recall work was done. Nothing more to do here.

Vehicle information

Know more than just what can go wrong.

Every car comes with a clean summary of what it costs to run, what it puts out and how it's built, using Green Vehicle Guide information where available.

Fuel consumption
6.4 L/100 km
Combined cycle
Estimated fuel cost
$2,060 / yr
15,000 km, 95 premium unleaded
CO₂ emissions
148 g/km
Combined cycle
Engine
2.0L turbo
4-cylinder petrol
Transmission
7-speed DCT
Dual-clutch automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
Front-wheel drive
Seating
5 seats
Hatch

© Commonwealth of Australia

Limited End-user licence: You may print and reproduce views obtained from the Green Vehicle Guide data, retaining this notice, for your personal use only. The copyright owner gives no warranty regarding the Green Vehicle Guide data's accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability for any particular purpose.

Trust

Useful information, made practical.

How it works it out

Kavina matches the make, model, year, trim and kilometres of the car to model-specific buying information, recall information and Green Vehicle Guide data. It turns that into questions and checks anyone can do.

Where it stops

Kavina helps buyers make a more informed decision, but it does not guarantee the condition of a vehicle or replace professional mechanical advice. If something doesn't feel right, get a mechanic to look at it.

Roadmap

What Kavina does today, and what's next.

Available now

  • Car-specific buyer checks
  • Maintenance questions
  • Mileage-aware guidance
  • Known issue guidance
  • Green, yellow and red findings
  • Recall information and checking
  • Overall buying guidance
  • Vehicle information
  • Car comparisons
Coming soon

Found something you're unsure about?

Professional Kavina mechanic inspections are coming soon. You'll be able to have specific concerns professionally checked before you buy.

Coming soon

PPSR + NEVDIS vehicle history

Kavina plans to add deeper Australian vehicle-history information using PPSR and NEVDIS data. This may help surface:

  • Security interests and finance information, where provided
  • Written-off status
  • Stolen vehicle information
  • Vehicle identity and history

FAQ

Questions

Kavina helps you decide whether to buy a used car. It tells you what should have been done on that car, what to ask the seller and what to check yourself, then explains what your findings mean.

Reports coming soon

Know before you buy.

Know what should have been done. Know what to ask. Know what to check.

Join the waitlistLook up a car now