Inside Carma quality
Take a closer look at how our expert processes make every Carma car stand out.
Our quality promise
Every Carma car is inspected and reconditioned to a standard far above industry norms.
Before it ever goes live, every Carma car undergoes a rigorous, multi-stage inspection in our purpose-built facility, where our technicians check, test and verify every detail across safety, performance and presentation.
We combine manufacturer-grade diagnostics with hands-on expertise to ensure each vehicle meets the high standards we stand behind. It’s these quality assurance processes that have made Carma the exclusive preferred used-car dealership of the NRMA.
Our inspection & reconditioning process
Thorough exterior inspections
We carefully inspect the entire exterior of every car to ensure it meets our standards for condition and presentation.
This includes assessing the paintwork and body panels for dents, scratches and scrapes, reviewing the glass and exterior trims, and examining the wheel rims for any cosmetic or impact-related damage.
Detailed interior assessments
Inside the car, we meticulously assess overall condition and functionality.
We check for any cuts, rips, tears or burns in the upholstery, ensure all trim pieces are secure and undamaged, and confirm the infotainment system is fully operational.
Rigorous mechanical checks
Every car is thoroughly checked for reliability and safety, starting with a full mechanical inspection of the engine, transmission and drivetrain.
Our experts then take the car on a test drive to assess its real-world performance and handling. We complete a roadworthiness inspection of brakes, suspension and steering, and test the battery, replacing it if needed. Finally, we confirm the car meets all safety and compliance requirements before sale.
Understanding imperfections
All Carma cars are pre-owned, so minor signs of use are normal.
Full transparency means you’ll always know exactly what to expect.
If we notice an imperfection during a car’s initial inspection, we’ll decide whether to fully repair it or bring it within our standards using touch-up methods. Anything that remains is clearly highlighted in the listing’s imperfections gallery with close-up photos.
This includes scratches, stone chips, paint marks, minor interior wear, and small dents.
On every car listing
Our imperfections gallery means you know exactly what you're getting.
Our quality thresholds
Exterior standards in action
Understand when we repair or photograph exterior imperfections like scratches, chips or dents.
We’ll repair and/or photograph:
- Scratches longer than 80mm.
- Deep scratches with paint missing greater than 20mm.
- Paint imperfections (etching, watermarks, tar) larger than 10mm.
- Chips larger than 5mm (or groups of more than five chips per panel).
- Dents that cannot be accessed easily for repair.
Cosmetic tyre scuffs are considered normal use and not treated as imperfections.
Interior quality at work
Learn when we repair or photograph interior imperfections like tears or stains.
We’ll repair and/or photograph:
- Cosmetic damage (burns, tears, cuts) larger than 20mm.
- Noticeable stains, discolouration or wear that sits outside our presentation standards.
Our quality assurance processes are backed by the NRMA
We’re proud to partner with the NRMA, one of Australia’s most trusted automotive organisations. Through this partnership, our inspection, reconditioning and quality assurance processes are independently verified, reinforcing the high standards every Carma car must meet.
It’s an added layer of assurance that each car has been prepared with care, transparency and attention to detail, well beyond what’s typically expected in the industry.
Find your own Carma car
With unbeatable quality and the peace of mind of 7-day returns, there's simply no better way to buy a used car. Start your search today.