Whether to get a car checked by AA etc.

gandroid

I am going to see a second hand car tomorrow...have seen it before and it seems ok (also needs to be cleared...NI import). Am spending in the region of 6k including the VRT and just wondering if it's worth getting it checked by an authorized agency - e.g. AA or something similar?

Have done an online check via motorcheck.ie for history etc. Did not turn up anything worrying but did not verify mileage accuracy which I had hoped for.

Drove the car myself on Fri, seemed ok apart from spongy/jittery brakes. It was raining at the time too which was not ideal for giving it a proper once over. MOT has expired since Jan.

Would bringing it to a local garage and paying them €30/40 for giving it a quick once over turn up any major issues....only thing is...the car is in Co. Louth and I don't know any local mechanics....

LookBehindYou

Ask the seller to get a new MOT on the car.
What type of car is this ? year etc

Henry Ford III

HPI check it! I'd also want a new MOT and verification of the cars service history.

Many imports have secrets.

gandroid

Well from his point of view getting an MOT is pointless to sell in the south as it would need to be NCTed here anyway...

It's an X-Type Jaguar diesel 2003.

bazz26

From your point of view, the buyer, it will give you an indication of what to expect when you NCT it. It doesn't cost that much so it shouldn't be an issue unless he has something to hide.

LookBehindYou

So you think you should believe the seller telling you that it pointless to have a new MOT on this car ??
What is he hiding ?
An mot is small money.
The nct cannot be done until the VRT is paid to get an Irish reg on it.
ALARM BELLS.

gandroid

Yes true but it is hassle for him as he's not based in the north, just gets cars in from there and moves them on. My gut tells me he's ok. He's happy for me to have it checked out by a mechanic, I don't know a whole lot about engines or symptoms of other possible issues so I guess that was what I was asking about paying for a comprehensive check.


I do appreciate any other advice.

mumblin deaf ro

If it were me, for peace of mind I'd get it checked by AA or some other inspection service (there are others cheaper than AA if you search elsewhere on this forum for previous threads). A €300 check on a €6K purchase is a reasonable expense in my view. Others may feel that the inspection fee is a rip-off etc, but I'm just telling you what I'd do in your shoes.

dirtydiesel

Spend the few quid it costs to get it checked by a local garage. Better that than regretting not doing it later.

gandroid

LookBehindYou wrote: »

So you think you should believe the seller telling you that it pointless to have a new MOT on this car ??
What is he hiding ?
An mot is small money.

At no point did he say that (pointless)...am merely pointing out that from his point of view if he's selling it in the south, it does not transfer. But I take the point that it would be a solid indicator of condition etc.

I did not think much of the fact that the MOT is a couple of months out. Perhaps this is naive on my part but I did not think it was a big deal....if it did have an MOT I think it would be selling for a higher price.

LookBehindYou wrote: »

The nct cannot be done until the VRT is paid to get an Irish reg on it.
ALARM BELLS.

I realise this, thanks though.

gandroid

Henry Ford III wrote: »

HPI check it! I'd also want a new MOT and verification of the cars service history.

Many imports have secrets.

As regards HPI...I tried in vain but couldn't do it without an English postcode...tried some random ones but they seemed to need it to match the given address. I used motorcheck.ie but it did not give me much about the English history (It was in England before NI)

stealthyspeeder

Your not going to get an AA check up north, its a mainland service the AA offer.

get it checked by the RAC (I think they offer someting similar) or a main dealer (tell them that you want the main dealer to service and check it, you pay the service if thats all that is required upon checking, if there is more, they pay all the dealers bill!). Alternatively get the dealer to throw in an extended third party warrenty.

Anan1

gandroid wrote: »

As regards HPI...I tried in vain but couldn't do it without an English postcode...tried some random ones but they seemed to need it to match the given address.

Ring HPI and ask them for an RAC check - it's the same thing and it only costs around £10. As Henry Ford III said, you need to check that the car has a full service history and verify this with the garages who stamped the book. If the history's incomplete/missing then assume the car's been clocked.