Call out mechanic private used car check???

-oRnein9-

Hi Im in need of some assistance, Im buying a private used car 2morrow evening, me and a mate had a look 2day and were very impressed with the car I have agreed a fee and propose 2 buy the car 2morrow evening, I am just wondering where can I get a mechanic 2 call out and check out the car before I hand over the cash, or do you know anyone who might want to call out as a nixor? Dublin area

thanx in advance

junkyard

A motor assessor will check out the car for you for a reasonable fee, there are plenty of them in the golden pages.

-oRnein9-

Many thanks

bazz26

Failing that surely a friend or a family member knows an independant mechanic. Surely not everyone gets their cars serviced/repaired at a main dealer.

-oRnein9-

My mates Da was supposed to check it out but turns out he's working down the country this week, so hence Im looking for something lastminute

cormie

This is pretty much what I was looking for too. How can you be sure of the motor assessors qualifications and that they'll actually check the car out and have enough skill to determine if there may be a problem, or problem to be? Any idea of average cost for these guys?

wba88

cormie wrote:

This is pretty much what I was looking for too. How can you be sure of the motor assessors qualifications and that they'll actually check the car out and have enough skill to determine if there may be a problem, or problem to be? Any idea of average cost for these guys?

Im also looking for sum1.....

they could make a lot of money out of us

junkyard

I'm a qualified motor assessor and registered with the IMI and any other qualified motor assessor will have certified IMI qualifications. Expect to pay between 150 and 250 euros for a full report, depending on traveling etc.

wba88

junkyard wrote:

I'm a qualified motor assessor and registered with the IMI and any other qualified motor assessor will have certified IMI qualifications. Expect to pay between 150 and 250 euros for a full report, depending on traveling etc.

is that price 4 u or in general?

junkyard

Thats the price around here in Cork in general. I don't practice anymore as it would be in conflict with my other businesses but I was at it full time about 4 years ago.

wba88

righto, back to the searching so

cormie

I suppose if you could get the garage to agree to pay the 150 if it fails and you pay if it passes, then that could be a way around it. Junkyard, is there a list of qualified IMI's anywhere? And not asking about you, but would it be possible to pretend you inspected it if for example the client lived 100 miles away and wanted you to check it before they went to see and purchase it themselves?

junkyard

Most assessors will advertise the fact that they are IMI registered in their ads in the Golden Pages and will do up a report on paper for you for the price and stand over their report if anything turns nasty.

ruppert

This guy is very good from my experience (www.carcheck.ie). I have used him several times and never had any problems with his assessments/ judgements. Have also recommended him to several others who found him very good. Think he charges about 150 euro but that includes a 200 point check on the car and its history etc.. Just give him the number of the seller and he'll organise viewing it etc.. Also gives you a written report afterwards.

Les

cormie

ruppert wrote:

This guy is very good from my experience (www.carcheck.ie). I have used him several times and never had any problems with his assessments/ judgements. Have also recommended him to several others who found him very good. Think he charges about 150 euro but that includes a 200 point check on the car and its history etc.. Just give him the number of the seller and he'll organise viewing it etc.. Also gives you a written report afterwards.

Les

That looks to be exactly what were after. Does he only do Limerick (that's the address on the site) or any car, anywhere in Ireland?

ruppert

He's based in Limerick but will check car anywhere. Has checked cars for me in Dublin, Louth and Meath. Guy in work had him check one for him in Mayo.

Best of luck with purchase,

Ruppert

cormie

Phones him up before I saw your reply. Sounds like an honest guy:)

He explained it anyway, they get insurance assessors to look at the car and do a full check on physical, mechanical and paper work side of things. If it's a private seller they will tell you what you should pay for it and the cost of repairing what is wrong with it. If it's a garage they will speak to the garage about what needs to be repaired and what they should charge and will also tell you about it too. They usually have a report for you the next day after you arrange it.

They also do vans up to 3.5 tonne so it's exactly what I'm looking for really. Now it's just a case of getting lucky and not having every one I ask them to look out turn out to be a banger.

cormie

I used carcheck.ie while looking to buy a Ford Transit. I used them twice. The first was for a van down in Galway, saved me the hassle of going down myself and told me not to go near the thing that it was in a terrible state and ridiculously priced. That was €150 well spent, saved me the time, money and risk of going to Galway and of course saved me 3K on actually buying the thing.

Went to look at a van on Friday evening, I was happy with it and I agreed with the seller on €2,600 if carcheck gave the go ahead. I rang carcheck at about 9pm that night to chance my luck to see if they could do a check yesterday, a few minutes later it was arranged that they would check it and have a report to me by 1pm. They did just that and advised me to try and get it for €2250 and listed some reasons why. I rang the seller back and said what I was told and I said 2,250, he said 2400 and I said I'd be there with 2300 cash in the next 2 hours and he agreed. This cost me €125 (second check is cheaper) but saved me money in the end and also gave me peace of mind.

When I went out to buy it the seller said fair play to your man, most guys come in and give it a quick look and are gone within 5 minutes. He said your man was at it for about an hour, took it out for a long drive and fully inspected it.

So here's another thumbs up for carcheck.ie

98q76e12hrflnk

Sorry for bring up an old thread but is this still possible. The link is no longer valid for the website and sounds better than getting a mechanic. Thanks

98q76e12hrflnk

Savanna Incalculable Rig wrote:

Sorry for bring up an old thread but is this still possible. The link is no longer valid for the website and sounds better than getting a mechanic. Thanks

Anyone know ?

cormie

Haha, this is an old post, bet it's going to be locked now though ;(

For what it's worth, that van I bought gave me nothing but trouble and I had to get rid of it after only 3 months or so. I think I put about €1,800 into repairs for it in the short time I had it if I remember right.

I don't think it was anything the guy could have really predicted, although maybe it was, I can't really remember, the clutch went though, but I'm half suspect my mechanic ripped me off at the same time too and I haven't been back to him again.

I've bought several vans in the mean time and never used a pre-check service on any of them. Some were fine, others I had to end up spending loads on. Actually one in particular bought from the UK, I didn't know to check at the time, but the chassis was rusted to bits, another from the UK again and had loads of issues too. BOTH had passed the MOT, but I've a feeling both sellers had tight connections with an MOT centre, one actually ran one, and I think the other one had some connection too.

They failed the DOE of course and needed work done before I got them on the road. I guess this could have been avoided with a pre-check, but both were actually ebay auction wins I think!

I don't know of anyone offering the same service now, maybe good to ask a few local mechanics if they do anything like it though?