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Buying used cars - big gaps in previous NCTs, dodge?

  • 05-12-2014 3:08pm
    #1
    MuffinsDa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,231 ✭✭✭


    Hi All,

    I'm looking at a buying a used car that is currently NCTed until 09/2015 and has been recently worked on by a reputable independent specialist.

    I ran a history check on it today and it revealed some interesting stuff:

    1. a gap in NCT from 2003 to 2009 and another between 2011 and 2012.
    2. Out of Tax since Feb 2013, with a couple of other (less that a year) gaps in tax in 2009 and 2009.
    3. Current owner from May 2014 but I know why he is selling it and it makes sense.

    My concern is:
    a) should the alarm bells be ringing with such long gaps in NCT, or is it common for people to drive cars without NCT when it wasn't enforced that seriously before?
    b) There are receipts for over 1000 spent on the car and I've spoken to the garage and they are happy to verify that and confirm there's nothing dodgy with the car, and it's only been NCTed a month ago. Is that enough to know there isn't anything dodgy?

    Any help greatly appreciated.


Comments

  • #2
    Harry Palmr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 40,061 ✭✭✭✭Harry Palmr


    I'd not worry about NCT gaps, as you say people used to be happy to risk it and not bother. The only thing that really matters about a used cars condition is how it is now not 5 or 10 years ago. If its good enough to pass then its basically sound, subject to the usual checks you might want to make regarding lurking corrosion etc.

    What make/model is it?


  • #3
    MuffinsDa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,231 ✭✭✭MuffinsDa


    Harry Palmr wrote: »
    I'd not worry about NCT gaps, as you say people used to be happy to risk it and not bother. The only thing that really matters about a used cars condition is how it is now not 5 or 10 years ago. If its good enough to pass then its basically sound, subject to the usual checks you might want to make regarding lurking corrosion etc.

    What make/model is it?

    Its a W124 mercedes


  • #4
    GavMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭GavMan


    Speak to the indy that worked on it and ask him what he thought


  • #5
    Harry Palmr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 40,061 ✭✭✭✭Harry Palmr


    A-ah! is it one of the earlier versions or the final facelifted version? (1993-1996), the last version is a bit more rust prone due to water-based paint and some light cost-cutting front wings that can corrode esp if they have the silver arches fitted. Other areas to check are front suspension, rear axel and the areas around the rear window (go inside the boot and check with your hands for anything flaky behind the lining, boot floor).

    Anyway read this for some guidance - its a bad example but it does show all the weak spots well. I'd certainly not put you off a solid example - lovely car if bought right.

    http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/128652


  • #6
    MuffinsDa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,231 ✭✭✭MuffinsDa


    GavMan wrote: »
    Speak to the indy that worked on it and ask him what he thought

    Thanks. Yeah done that. He says it's a sound car and is happy to stand over it.


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  • #7
    MuffinsDa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,231 ✭✭✭MuffinsDa


    Harry Palmr wrote: »
    A-ah! is it one of the earlier versions or the final facelifted version? (1993-1996), the last version is a bit more rust prone due to water-based paint and some light cost-cutting front wings that can corrode esp if they have the silver arches fitted. Other areas to check are front suspension, rear axel and the areas around the rear window (go inside the boot and check with your hands for anything flaky behind the lining, boot floor).

    Anyway read this for some guidance - its a bad example but it does show all the weak spots well. I'd certainly not put you off a solid example - lovely car if bought right.

    http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/128652

    It's the facelift version. I'll look for rust but the garage says they've fixed everything that needed to be done, and it's passed NCT last month so I presume no safety threatening primary or secondary corrosion?


  • #8
    Harry Palmr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 40,061 ✭✭✭✭Harry Palmr


    Well it should be grand.

    If you get the car bookmark this http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php and http://www.w124uk.com/forum/


  • #9
    Atlantic Dawn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 83,507 ✭✭✭✭Atlantic Dawn
    M


    If someone misses multiple NCT's and drives around regardless then they have a rather cheap a$$ view to motoring and I would expect the car has been maintained on an absolute shoe string. If they maintained the car properly there's no valid reason why they wouldn't bring it for the NCT and have it legally on the road like the rest of us.


  • #10
    Harry Palmr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 40,061 ✭✭✭✭Harry Palmr


    God bless your law-abidingness!


  • #11
    Fred Swanson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21,730 ✭✭✭✭Fred Swanson


    This post has been deleted.


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  • #12
    Atlantic Dawn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 83,507 ✭✭✭✭Atlantic Dawn
    M


    Fred Swanson wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    A 6 year gap, not exactly something that would slip your mind...
    1. a gap in NCT from 2003 to 2009 and another between 2011 and 2012.


  • #13
    Fred Swanson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21,730 ✭✭✭✭Fred Swanson


    This post has been deleted.


  • #14
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,620 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    Fred Swanson wrote: »
    So long as it would pass a test today, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

    Well, I know where the concern could be coming from, has the car been looked after ok?
    The car might look well, but the only things we have to go on is service history, receipts and, yes, the NCT.
    A car can be lovingly polished and look stunning, but the last oilchange before sale could have been 3 years ago. General neglect doesn't always show immediately, but you will find out later when a piston decides to escape the engine or the gearbox throws its cogs out the pram.
    Passing the test on its own doesn't mean anything one way or the other. But a lack of service history and missing a few NCTs should ring alarm bells.
    My guess, if the car is in good nick, maybe the gap is due to it being laid up for a period of time.


  • #15
    bren11
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 137 ✭✭bren11


    The fact that it passed the NCT today dosent mean you will have 12 months to next test, you may have only 4 months or better still 12 plus 3 months.


  • #16
    Nekarsulm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,221 ✭✭✭✭Nekarsulm


    bren11 wrote: »
    The fact that it passed the NCT today dosent mean you will have 12 months to next test, you may have only 4 months or better still 12 plus 3 months.
    In this case, the OP states test it had NCT till next September. If the independant is happy then its probably OK. Is it a diesel? Was it a taxi? Have you seen with your own eyes the Reg. documents ? Are the Reg. docunents newly issued? Is the gearbox shifting smoothly? These were built properly and are simple to maintain and service. Change oil and filter every 4k and it Will go forever.


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