Do AA actually check anything?

The_Nipper_One

Edit: Meant to post this in the motors section!

I saw a few people recommending AA to do a vehicle inspection, but after reading a few reviews online, and following up on them myself, I don't think it would be worth the 300ish euro they charge.

From the AA terms and conditions for the vehicle inspection:

1
AA Vehicle Inspections are prepared from visual
and external checks only and are limited to the
parts and/or items identified on the Report. AA
Vehicle Inspections do not involve dismantling or
disturbing of any structure, assembly, component
or internal mechanism.

This backs up about 6 reviews I read which stated that the engine was not even checked during the inspection, as doing so would involve removing a plastic cover.

Following on from this:

There are certain parts
of the vehicle which will not be looked at and you
should read these terms and conditions carefully
to see what will not be checked...

... a) Oil and fuel consumption.
b) Source of oil leaks.
c) Brake lining material
(other than what is
immediately visible and can be seen without
dismantling anything).
d) We cannot predict the life expectancy of
exhaust systems, clutches or dual-mass
flywheels.
e) Brake fluid for contamination. Brake fluid will
deteriorate over a period of time and we
advise that it be replaced as recommended by
the vehicle manufacturer.
f) Operation of cassette, compact-disc players,
TV/DVD/satellite navigation systems,
Bluetooth or other in-car entertainment.*
g) Sound or radio recept
ion and alarm systems.*
h) Cylinder compression,
vehicle electrics and
electronics by the use of
specific diagnostic
equipment.
i) The accuracy of in-car
computer systems (for
example, but in no way restricted to,
computers used for route finding, fuel
efficiency or otherwise).
j) Exhaust emissions, using gas analysing
equipment, catalytic converters, and LPG
systems.
k) Air conditioning efficiency* by the use of
specific diagnostic equipment.

I thought I would be paying for a mechanic to thoroughly inspect an engine using tools and equipment, but now it just seems like it will be someone opening the hood and being stumped when they encounter a plastic cover.

So are they any good? Has anyone had any good experiences with them?

Dangel4x4

What do you expect?

You want them to dismantle an engine for you?

Billy Bob the local neighbourhood mechanic can't go around pulling off engine covers either; nor can he predict how long a clutch is going to last...

99.99% of the exceptions on that list are reasonable to me.

The_Nipper_One

Dangel4x4 wrote: »

What do you expect?

You want them to dismantle an engine for you?

Billy Bob the local neighbourhood mechanic can't go around dismantling engine covers; nor can he predict how long a clutch is going to last...

99.99% of the exceptions on that list are reasonable to me.

Dismantle the engine? No. Remove the engine cover to actually see the engine though? Is that not a reasonable expectation for 300 or so euro?

Fair point about stuff like the clutch though.

Dangel4x4

So you think a seller should allow the AA (or your local mechanic) to start taking bits off the car in order to inspect it?

What if the parts aren't put back on right and there's a problem as a result? Who's liable?