Our Quality Standards

What should I expect?

Want to know everything about buying a Carma car? Here's more about our reconditioning process and quality standards.

Our tailored process

Checked and certified

Every car we sell is inspected in our state-of-the-art test facility, then certified and reconditioned by a team of experts to meet quality standards that are significantly above typical used car sellers in Australia.

Buying a pre-owned car

Fair wear and tear explained

A pre-owned car will gradually develop wear and tear with minor imperfections from day-to-day use. Unlike the type of damage that might be caused by an accident, neglect or mistreatment, fair wear and tear is normal and expected when purchasing a used car.

Our reconditioning process

What do we fix?

Every Carma car is thoroughly inspected by our team in our state-of-the-art reconditioning centre. We lavish time and care onto every car, making repairs where needed, to ensure it meets or exceeds our quality standards.

During inspection, every little detail of the car is picked up and we take care to ensure we make the best choices to maintain the original appeal of the car.

Frequently asked questions

What does Carma photograph as an imperfection?

The following list describes what we at Carma will photograph and show as an imperfection on the car listing page if the imperfection is not repaired as part of our reconditioning process.

Exterior

Scratches: Greater than 20 mm

Dents: Greater than 10 mm

Chips: Greater than 3 mm

Glass

Cracks / chips: Greater than 3 mm

Scratches: Greater than 10 cm

Interior

Scuffs and scratches: Greater than 25 mm

Stains and discolouration: Considerable stains or discolouration

Wheels

Wheels & trims: Considerable damage and scuffing

What’s the difference between wear and tear / damage?

Normal wear and tear refers to the gradual deterioration that occurs over time from regular use. For example, the front area of a car is the most exposed to the elements and unavoidable road debris as it is driven, and door sills may gather minor scuffs as people step into and out of the car. These are generally considered inevitable, especially in pre-owned cars.

On the other hand, damage occurs due to accident, neglect or mistreatment which causes more significant issues that go beyond what’s expected from normal use. Unlike wear and tear, damage is usually avoidable and often requires repairs to restore the car to its proper condition.

Why do some cars still have chips and scuffs after reconditioning?

You may have noticed imperfections while checking out our cars online. Fair wear and tear is expected with pre-owned cars, and we try our best to maintain every car’s original appearance.

Repainting areas with minor chips or scuffs may actually detract from the car's appearance due to colour matching inaccuracies. Other areas like the plastic components of a car, such as those around doors and storage areas are designed to provide protection, so they will naturally gather marks and scuffs. We inspect all of these areas, though even with the best detailing techniques and products, some marks may still be visible.

How are vehicle recalls managed?

At Carma, we continuously check all cars we hold in stock and those we purchase against manufacturer’s recall notices. If a recall is made, we will have necessary checks and repairs completed by the OEM or branded dealer.

While it is formally the manufacturer’s responsibility to contact you if there is a recall on a car you own, we recommend that you stay informed about your car. You can always check either the manufacturer’s website or on www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au to find out if your car has been issued a recall notice.

Why choose Carma?Why choose Carma?

Why choose Carma?

Save the hassle, haggle and hustle from dealers with the Carma way — Cars of extraordinary quality and an experience to match.

What's the secret to Carma quality?What's the secret to Carma quality?

What's the secret to Carma quality?

From ultra-detailed inspections to expert reconditioning, absolutely nothing escapes our attention.