Getting car checked over in the North b4 purchase

Eurorunner

I'm going to look at a couple of motors up north (Fermanagh). Don't trust my own judgement and want to get car checked over IF i decide to buy. Is there anyone offering this type of service up there? Anyone any recommendations?

Joey the lips

The thought crossed my mind as well...Do you mind if I link in with you (On the thread that is)

Mc Love

Eurorunner wrote: »

I'm going to look at a couple of motors up north (Fermanagh). Don't trust my own judgement and want to get car checked over IF i decide to buy. Is there anyone offering this type of service up there? Anyone any recommendations?

AA or RAC are best bet i'd say

Eurorunner

Joey the lips wrote: »

The thought crossed my mind as well...Do you mind if I link in with you (On the thread that is)

No probs

sparkysrovers wrote:

AA or RAC are best bet i'd say

Yeah - checked them alright but they're bloody expensive.

Anan1

Having the car looked at is an excellent idea. I'm afraid I can't help you with advice on who to use, but I can perhaps save you a wasted inspection. Before even having the car inspected, get the full service history with details of everyone who ever worked on the car. If it's not available or there are services missing then walk. Having got it, ring every garage to make sure the work was done as per the stamped service book. Again, any irregularities walk away. If the SH checks out fully then run an RAC check (see www.hpi.co.uk, you'll have to phone them), for £15. If that comes back clear, then you pay to have the car inspected.

One other thing to bear in mind - your first impression when you talk to the seller is often the correct one. Good luck!

ikillcopiers

A friend of my father's buying and selling cars in London years ago
used to always send them for an MOT.

Only cost £50, and it'll be a better inspection than what the AA/RAC
can do on the side of the road.

And as he said, if the seller had a problem with sending a car for an MOT,
he wasn't interested.

Worked well for him, if you're not sure you can slip the mechanic an extra fiver
when he's doing the test and he'll give it a more intense eye over.

EDIT:
As mentioned by Anan1, a HPI check is essential.
And do ring the garages like he suggested - I've seen a couple of performance cars
with their service histories "massaged",
EG saw a Porsche 911 for sale saying it had a top end rebuild had a known specialist,
on a phone call to the specialist they said it only got oil, filter and plugs, big difference!
It's a very common practice with expensive to work on cars unfortunately!

Eurorunner

Thats got me up to speed! Thanks all.