Car inspection for private sale

fasty

I'm looking at buying a car privately and saw one today that I really like.

It seems to drive okay for me but I want to get it checked by a mechanic for piece of mind. My usual mechanic is snowed under and won't call out to see it and the seller won't bring the car from north county dublin to south county dublin so I'm stuck.

The AA inspections seem quite pricey but I guess it might be worth a shot. Should I do that or get in touch with local mechanics in his area?

Anan1

As I see it, you've two options:

1. Find a mechanic closer to the seller

or

2. Tell the seller that you do want the car but you'll buy elsewhere if they won't bring the car to your mechanic. I know what i'd do if I were the seller..

Unless the car is incredibly keenly priced, i'd be insisting on option 2.

AA reports are very expensive, and I don't personally feel the cost is justified.

fasty

Thanks for the reply. Well the AA report can be ruled out then.

He's willing to bring it to a local mechanic where he's had it serviced in the past but the problem is, the car isn't insured at the moment so a journey from the Howth area to Dun Laoghaire is a bit of a problem to see my guy.

As for the price... It's good, not amazing, but good and I do like the car.

Anan1

If the car's not insured then I do have a bit more understanding for his not wanting to bring it across the city. Maybe start a new thread asking can anyone recommend a mechanic in the Howth area?

Darragh29

The AA report I think is an absolute rip off. First of all, they are not engineer's but mechanics, so the report is not an engineers report but a mechanics report.

If you are in any doubt as to this, give them a call and ask them what professional qualifications their "fully qualified engineers" actually have. They are not accredited to any academic engineering institution such as the IEI.

If we leave that small technicality aside for a moment, despite charging over 300 Euro for an inspection, they don't use even the most basic equipment that any good indy garage would have, such as:

Emissions test equipment, to test for engine emissions that fall within NCT criteria.

Engine/ECU diagnostic equipment. If an engine is not idling/operating correctly, I would expect a report to possibly point to a root cause for this.

Computerised brake & suspension test lane. Again, to identify possible expensive suspension and brake imbalance issues.

Wheel alignment. Maybe overkill as wheel misalignment can be detected during a test drive and also inspection of tyres, but again, not used in any event.

I think charging over 300 Euro for an inspection that can only take up to one hour, while using absolutely no specialist equipment apart from a car ramp, is extortionate and extremely poor value for money, from an organisation that seems to have an awful lot to say in recent times about value for money in the motor industry, from fuel overcharging, to the rip off that are the M50 toll charges, and various other charges that they argue are excessive in relation to the motor industry.

OP, I'll be launching a new website in January for car parts for sale through the internet in Ireland and we'll also be offering a comprehensive mobile vehicle inspection service from the website, which will include engine emissions testing, computerised engine diagnostics, etc... And it won't be costing anywhere near 300 Euro!

Anan1

Would you take a look at that car for the OP, Darragh? Not the owner, now, not the make - just the car? ;-)

Darragh29

Anan1 wrote: »

Would you take a look at that car for the OP, Darragh? Not the owner, now, not the make - just the car? ;-)

I would do it on a goodwill basis only I'm up to my go-naads here at the moment! Just an update, the AA are now charging 393 Euro for the following:

This is a comprehensive and in-depth inspection which includes a detailed examination of the vehicle, including a full mechanical and electrical check:

* A detailed examination of the vehicle, including a full mechanical and electrical check.
* Checking for evidence of major accident damage and/or repairs.
* Recording of VIN and Chassis numbers.
* An extended road test.
* A full under-body inspection to ascertain any structural problems or accident damage
* The Engineer will draw up a detailed and comprehensive report

Now lets just decode the BS out of the above...

This is a comprehensive and in-depth inspection which includes a detailed examination of the vehicle, including a full mechanical and electrical check:

* A detailed examination of the vehicle, including a full mechanical and electrical check.
* Checking for evidence of major accident damage and/or repairs.
* Recording of VIN and Chassis numbers.
* An extended road test.
* A full under-body inspection to ascertain any structural problems or accident damage
* The Engineer will draw up a detailed and comprehensive report


This is a full vehicle inspection, that takes no more than one hour.

Darragh29

And we'll also be offering private warranties that you can buy with the car we're inspecting on your behalf. So you will for the first time in Ireland have peace of mind when you buy a car in a private transaction....

Anan1

That's actually a very good idea.

Darragh29

Anan1 wrote: »

That's actually a very good idea.

I keep saying this over in the Business & Entrepreneurial forum and nobody takes me seriously on it! There are no opportunities on earth like the opportunities that come along in a recession... Where people start looking for real value for money, that's when you'll start seeing serious innovation coming along to meet the demand for value for money. That's my take on it anyway!

fasty

Thanks for the info Darragh, I've avoided an AA check anyway and arranged to bring the car to a local garage for an inspection.

Hopefully nothing major will jump out at them and I'll have me a new, old car!

Johnny Utah

Darragh29 wrote: »

And we'll also be offering private warranties that you can buy with the car we're inspecting on your behalf. So you will for the first time in Ireland have peace of mind when you buy a car in a private transaction....

Darragh, that sounds like a very good business idea. And you're right too- the AA inspection is a complete rip-off.

However, when I was buying my current car, I went to an indy specialist to have the car inspected. I won't name the place, but I didn't think they were too thorough with their inspection. They flagged up a couple of items which needed to be looked at, nothing serious though. After I bought the car, I then took it to a main dealer for a service, and it turned out that the car in fact needed a lot more work done- I wasn't very happy.

Would your inspection service advise if the car needed items such as brake discs, power steering fluid etc, for example?

Darragh29

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Darragh, that sounds like a very good business idea. And you're right too- the AA inspection is a complete rip-off.

However, when I was buying my current car, I went to an indy specialist to have the car inspected. I won't name the place, but I didn't think they were too thorough with their inspection. They flagged up a couple of items which needed to be looked at, nothing serious though. After I bought the car, I then took it to a main dealer for a service, and it turned out that the car in fact needed a lot more work done- I wasn't very happy.

Would your inspection service advise if the car needed items such as brake discs, power steering fluid etc, for example?

Well those items would be what I'd consider to be on the list of very basic checks, like items that would be very easily checked and definitely shouldn't be missed.

Johnny Utah

Darragh29 wrote: »

Well those items would be what I'd consider to be on the list of very basic checks, like items that would be very easily checked and definitely shouldn't be missed.

Thanks, that's what I thought.

Darragh29

What we'll be offering is a mobile comprehensive vehicle inspection service, incorporating a fairly detailed list of items for inspection, emissions testing, ECU/SRS and ABS computerised interrogation where a fault becomes apparent and a suggested cost of rectification for any defect found.

We will be paying particular attention to components like brake pad wear, tyre thread depth, etc, and advising as to when the next suggested replacement interval will be based on current wear observed, also the same will be done with timing belt replacement intervals and the next scheduled service, along with suggested associated costs.

Also, where a vehicle might be fitted with expensive replacement components, just as an example off my head, say a VW Passat fitted with a Dual Mass Flywheel system as part of the clutch assembly, that would cost around 1,500 Euro to replace as opposed to 500 Euro for a conventional clutch assembly replacement, we will give a heads up on these type of factors that a buyer really should be aware of before making a purchasing decision...

Also we will be capturing defects found, using a digital camera wherever possible and the complete vehicle report including digital images where applicable, engine emissions test results, will be uploaded onto our website and we will text you a pin number to your mobile to allow you access to your vehicle report via our website. Also, we will not share the information with the seller, although you will be free to do this if you wish by sharing your pin number with the vehicle seller.

If you choose to buy the vehicle and wish to buy a warranty with the vehicle, you can fully manage this through your personal access to the site via your pin number...

Also, if you are a seller, you can have the vehicle inspected prior to selling and use the report as a selling feature. But we will be clear that the same standard of inspection will apply to a seller as a buyer but in both instances, where a defect or problems are found and put into a report, we will have a follow up service to check that an item has been attended to and will update our report accordingly, giving the vehicle a clean bill of health where appropriate. Not unlike an NCT re-test procedure.

If there is anything you feel I should be checking that I've left out, please feel free to shout!

Johnny Utah

Darragh29 wrote: »

If there is anything you feel I should be checking that I've left out, please feel free to shout!

Are you able to verify mileage?


Also, is it possible to check reliably whether a car is, or has ever been, stolen, crashed, or has any outstanding finance?

That would be an important feature I think. The place I went to said they were able to check this.

unkel

Darragh29 wrote: »

I think charging over 300 Euro for an inspection that can only take up to one hour, while using absolutely no specialist equipment apart from a car ramp, is extortionate and extremely poor value for money

+1

I've often wondered if the charge includes an amount that accrues to a "legal fund" used when people sue the AA when something goes wrong after a positive report. This is pure speculation though, I have no other explanation about why it is so expensive except the obvious one that it's a rip-off

Best of luck with your new business ideas. I particularly like this:

Darragh29 wrote: »

vehicle report including digital images where applicable, engine emissions test results, will be uploaded onto our website and we will text you a pin number to your mobile to allow you access to your vehicle report via our website. Also, we will not share the information with the seller, although you will be free to do this if you wish by sharing your pin number with the vehicle seller.

niceirishfella

Good luck with the new venture Darragh.

rgds,

NIF

ps...i take you seriously over on business/entrepenurial.

Darragh29

niceirishfella wrote: »

Good luck with the new venture Darragh.

rgds,

NIF

ps...i take you seriously over on business/entrepenurial.

Thanks so much to all for the bext wishes, I'll probably be eating my words on recession and opportunities when I'm pulling my hair out in two weeks time with what I've taken on!!! :eek::D:confused::mad::)

niceirishfella

Darragh29 wrote: »

Thanks so much to all for the bext wishes, I'll probably be eating my words on recession and opportunities when I'm pulling my hair out in two weeks time with what I've taken on!!! :eek::D:confused::mad::)

No, I agree with your thinking. With resession comes Risk, but with risk comes great opportunity.:pac:

Darragh29

unkel wrote: »

+1

I've often wondered if the charge includes an amount that accrues to a "legal fund" used when people sue the AA when something goes wrong after a positive report. This is pure speculation though, I have no other explanation about why it is so expensive except the obvious one that it's a rip-off

Best of luck with your new business ideas. I particularly like this:

I think what is happening to a certain degree is that you have the AA brand which is very strong and reassuring and you have a motor industry that isn't known for it's innovation and is unfortunately known for dodgy deals/characters, so you have on the one hand a motoring public which is extremely skeptical of the motor industry as a whole and on the other hand, a lack of an alternative inspection service that meets the customers needs, so I suppose the inevitable outcome of all of this, when you have an apparently bulletproof brand like the AA, carefully cultivated in recent years, that has in a way managed to completely set itself apart from the same motor industry that it operates in, and act as a consumer champion in a way that would make Robin Hood envious, by questioning value and ethics everywhere else in the industry every time an RTE camera is switched on, so they feel they can legitimately charge just under 400 Euro for a one hour vehicle inspection.

It's a bit Irish in my opinion for the AA to be ranting about a fuel outlet in Kerry charging 5 cent more than their counterpart down the road for a litre of fuel, when they are at the same time charging consumers 400 odd Euro to put a car on a lift, inspect it, test drive it and print off a report, all easily done in one hour with a car ramp, a crowbar, a biro and a flashlamp...

Darragh29

I'll post up a link to the website early January, that is if Conor Faughnan hasn't slashed my brake hoses by then! :D:D

Darragh29

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Are you able to verify mileage?


Also, is it possible to check reliably whether a car is, or has ever been, stolen, crashed, or has any outstanding finance?

That would be an important feature I think. The place I went to said they were able to check this.

The jury is out on the mileage verification, as in I don't think it's possible to 100% verify mileage. What can be done however is that a judgement can be made regarding the consistency or otherwise between the condition of the vehicle with respect to the indicated mileage. I think though through the NCT system, mileage can be examined from NCT to NCT, and also using service records where they are available... It can be definitively checked through Cartell for outstanding finance, whether it was stolen, written off, ever been a taxi, yakedy yakedy yak...

Thoie

Darragh29 wrote: »

If you choose to buy the vehicle and wish to buy a warranty with the vehicle, you can fully manage this through your personal access to the site via your pin number...

If I'm the seller, and have got the car check done, could I buy a warranty to sell with the car?

So could I advertise the car saying "Darragh29 warranty on this car until xxx miles/yyy month"?

Darragh29

Thoie wrote: »

If I'm the seller, and have got the car check done, could I buy a warranty to sell with the car?

So could I advertise the car saying "Darragh29 warranty on this car until xxx miles/yyy month"?

Yeah, that's the plan exactly.

fasty

I'm going to take my thread back from Darragh29 for an important announcement...

Always do a finance check on a car as well as getting it looked at if you buy privately. This is my first private car purchase so I'm a massive noob at this but I did check for finance on it this morning and there is despite being told there wasn't by the seller.

Back to the drawing board...

quarryman

wow, good catch.

billyhead

How did you go about checking if there was finance owed on it?

quarryman

cartell will do it.

fasty

Yeah, I did it via Cartell. It's €15 for a finance only check.

I phoned them to double check and they said that unless he paid it off in the last day or two, their report is correct.

dermob

Sorry to dig up an old thread, does anybody know if darragh 29 set up this business?

Our man in Havana

Don't dig up old threads. Closed.