Is it always necessary to get a mechanic to check over car?

Backtowhite

Hi lads,

I am looking to buy a passat off a Toyato dealer in Tipperary. The car comes with a 12 month warranty.

Would you still get a mechanic to check over the car before you buy it? I know it may sound like a stupid question but I would assume the main dealers would not be selling s**t boxes.

Thanks

Sleepy

If it's a full warranty, possibly not.

If it's just gearbox and engine, I'd still want it checked out tbh.

Jimbob 83

Main dealers are just cowboys with big signs tbh.

Obviously there is good and bad but better safe than sorry

mondeo

Depends on how comprehensive the warranty is. Wouldn't do any harm to get a local lad to put it on a ramp though either way. 12 month warranty would inspire confidance in me though.

Joe 90

The fact is that although I am pretty handy around a car I would get a mechanic to check it over. I mean a mechanic who is familiar with that make and model. As an earlier poster says, the main dealer may well be just another cowboy with a flashy sign, pretty letter heading and high charges.

mickdw

Always worth while to get a check done. Ive seen alot of people arrive with a new purchase and it can be seen a mile off that its not a clean example, it could be obvious poor paint work, poorly aligned panels or just a general tidied up look to the car. Alot of people cannot see the most obvious defects.
So any car could be mechanically good and the dealer would have no issue giving the warranty but it might still not be a car you want to be buying - and yes, main dealers can retail some dodgy stuff too.
Also if the car does happen to be mechanically dodgy, even a 1 year warranty is no use if the dealer decides to try to break your heart.

knifey_spoonie

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

Main dealers are just cowboys with big signs tbh.

Thats just like saying all priests are peadophile's, Its just a narrow minded, ill informed statement, with no back or substantiation.

The chances are the OP will be getting a Dealer Cover warranty, which to be honest is one of the best used car warranties out there. Its a Toyota backed and managed warranty and unlike most warranties has no monetary claim limit.

OP- If you feel you would like to get a mechanic to check the car over then do so, but in my experience if anything fails within the warranty period you will be covered. All that's really needed is check condition of the tyres and check out what they will be doing in the pre-sale service(ie brake and the like)

Also if you are not a big mileage driver, ask about upgrading to a 2 year warranty, just be aware that the will have a 60,000km limit on the 2 year warranty, unlike the 1 year which is unlimited.(this is only available if your buying a toyota)

Jimbob 83

knifey_spoonie wrote: »

Thats just like saying all priests are peadophile's, Its just a narrow minded, ill informed statement, with no back or substantiation.

The chances are the OP will be getting a Dealer Cover warranty, which to be honest is one of the best used car warranties out there. Its a Toyota backed and managed warranty and unlike most warranties has no monetary claim limit.

OP- If you feel you would like to get a mechanic to check the car over then do so, but in my experience if anything fails within the warranty period you will be covered. All that's really needed is check condition of the tyres and check out what they will be doing in the pre-sale service(ie brake and the like)

Also if you are not a big mileage driver, ask about upgrading to a 2 year warranty, just be aware that the will have a 60,000km limit on the 2 year warranty, unlike the 1 year which is unlimited.(this is only available if your buying a toyota)

Nicely clipped quote :pac:

knifey_spoonie

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

Nicely clipped quote :pac:

Well in fairness you said it, Don't think im taking it out on you.

That kind of generalisation really annoys me, you see threads every week about poor service in indy's and the like, but you never see anyone post don't go near and indy there all sh!te.

Yet a thread about a Dealership, and all you get is they are all sh!te don't go to a main dealer. People seem to forget that dealerships are also independently run business's and your going to your share of good and bad.

Jimbob 83

knifey_spoonie wrote: »

Well in fairness you said it, Don't think im taking it out on you.

That kind of generalisation really annoys me, you see threads every week about poor service in indy's and the like, but you never see anyone post don't go near and indy there all sh!te.

Yet a thread about a Dealership, and all you get is they are all sh!te don't go to a main dealer. People seem to forget that dealerships are also independently run business's and your going to your share of good and bad.

I know plenty of main dealers who i wouldn't touch with a bargepole and afew of them are Toyota dealers, it's common sense to cover yourself at the cost of afew extra quid anyone who thinks they are 100% safe because they buy from someone with a dealership franchise is more than likely going to get stung once over their lifetime.

bbsrs

knifey_spoonie wrote: »

Well in fairness you said it, Don't think im taking it out on you.

That kind of generalisation really annoys me, you see threads every week about poor service in indy's and the like, but you never see anyone post don't go near and indy there all sh!te.

Yet a thread about a Dealership, and all you get is they are all sh!te don't go to a main dealer. People seem to forget that dealerships are also independently run business's and your going to your share of good and bad.

When buying a used car , buyer beware , treat all sellers indy , main dealer or private with the same level of suspicion. They all just want your money, end of.

danjo

I would recommend getting a mechanic to look at a car irrespective of who you buy from. You may well get a comprehensive warranty from a respectable dealer who will fully honour the warranty.

However think about all the messing about that goes with returning a car for repair. All the inconvenience especially if it has to go back a couple of times. All this may be avoided by a full checkout in advance of buying.

Backtowhite

Thanks all,

this is the car here I am looking at http://carsireland.ie/791900

What you guys think?

I know I could get it cheaper if I went private but for the peace of mind of having a warranty i think it is worth it....depending what is covered of course!

dgt

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

Mostdealers are just cowboys with big signs tbh.

Obviously there is good and bad but better safe than sorry

FYP

Personally, I'd check the car myself. If you knew the stories I knew and seen the stuff I've seen you wouldn't have much faith left!

Your best bet is to fully research the car yourself online through forums, reviews etc and pry for its known weak spots in the forecurt. Then check for abnormalities (too easy to secure a false sense of hope). Eg I bought a car a few years ago that had a new chassis leg installed, but you needed to look carefully to see it. It paid off, I got the car for peanuts compared to the asking price. You can't go too far wrong that way.

Guarantees/ warranties are worth about as much as used toilet paper to me. So many terms and conditions to try and weasel around. Not worth it atall.

Not saying mechanics or dealerships are all dodgy, most are spot on. But there are rouges out there to catch you.

Jimbob 83

Dunno if i would be mad on a 1.4 turbo in a passat, seems to be a new trend that will cause issues down the road

Joe 90

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

Dunno if i would be mad on a 1.4 turbo in a passat, seems to be a new trend that will cause issues down the road

Dunno about problems down the line but evrytime I see the 1.4 turbo Passat mentioned I think of how popular the A60/Morris Oxford was amongst the Irish population. A bloody horrible car that was praised right left and centre.