Buying a car with swopped engine

KrakityJones

Think I know the answer to this one but anyway..

Probably going to go view a car that all looks good except for one thing, and wondering if anyone here has done this or have any advice.

It originally had a petrol engine in it, but this was swopped a couple years back to diesel. I did a mywheels check on it and it's still showing as a petrol. I noticed on the check it hasn't been taxed since then either.

What are the implications of buying that - would it be impossible to tax? It does have a valid nct which was only done a few months ago (when it wasn't taxed) which seems a bit odd to me.

Any opinions welcome!

BronsonTB

Make sure you have a engineers report to go with it...sounds like the current owner never taxed it since changing engine...NCT won't check tax.

KrakityJones

Thanks, I'll check that with the seller, though I've a feeling he did the swop himself so mightn't have one. I presume if he doesn't have one it's time to walk away?

BronsonTB

The new engine details will need to be recorded with Shannon & pretty sure you're insurance company will want an engineer's report on the work to ensure it's road legal. But plenty have done it, nothing wrong with it, but red tape to be completed to be 100% legal.

I would more question why the current owner hasn't already done this....

Atlantic Dawn

A petrol to a diesel engine a few years back and not taxed since, sounds like a mess was made.

KrakityJones

Ok an update - I rang the seller he said he does have the forms etc all stamped and ready so shouldn't be any problem taxing it. Not sure why he didn't tax it himself but he did say he hadn't been driving it, seems a genuine enough guy but obviously you never know.

Suppose it's worth going for a look anyway

grogi

KrakityJones wrote: »

Ok an update - I rang the seller he said he does have the forms etc all stamped and ready so shouldn't be any problem taxing it. Not sure why he didn't tax it himself but he did say he hadn't been driving it, seems a genuine enough guy but obviously you never know.

Suppose it's worth going for a look anyway

Absolutely... Did spend a small fortune on a car he did not use...

KrakityJones

grogi wrote: »

Absolutely... Did spend a small fortune on a car he did not use...

Hmmm when you put it like that it does seem a wee bit off doesn't it...

grogi

KrakityJones wrote: »

Hmmm when you put it like that it does seem a wee bit off doesn't it...

There are 73k cars on done deal at the moment... That's almost hundred of thousands...

There is absolutely no reason not to walk away from anything that even remotely smells bad.

KrakityJones

Perhaps against my better judgement I'm still interested. There are only 2 of these for sale in the country at the moment.

Rang the insurance company and surprisingly they don't care about the engine as it would be under classic insurance (it's a '92 car).

Assuming the tax bit is fixable next thing is finding someone who knows their cars better than me. Would anyone know of any mechanics in or around the walkinstown area that might be around saturday to have a look and give an opinion - (not for free obviously), or d'ya know if anywhere like advanced pit stop or those kind places would let you drive in and give it a wee look over?

colm_mcm

Is this a mid engined sports car?

KrakityJones

colm_mcm wrote: »

Is this a mid engined sports car?

No, tis something else. Anyway in the end I got someone to take a look at it who knows their stuff and while not too bad there was a few things that didn't sit well with me. Between those and the tax and whatnot figured I'd finally take the advice of the good posters of motors and 'if in doubt walk away'