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Bringing a mechanic to check car

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  • 11-06-2016 11:23pm
    #1
    2forjoy
    Registered Users Posts: 452 ✭✭


    Getting a mechanic to check a few cars off Done-Deal .

    What should he be looking out for and should he drive the car or me ?


Comments

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    #2
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,157 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    If the mechanic doesn't know what to look for then you need to bring a different mechanic. And both of you would drive the car.


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    #3
    2forjoy
    Registered Users Posts: 452 ✭✭2forjoy


    should he know if the odometer is accurate ?


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    #4
    monkeysnapper
    Registered Users Posts: 2,575 ✭✭✭monkeysnapper


    I would decided if you defo want car, then pay to do checks if money is owned on car, miles are correct , accident. Buy this info online .

    Then pay mechanic to check over car . I'd defo narrow your search tho


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    #5
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,157 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    A mechanic may have an idea based on experience if the mileage is true or false by examining the car but the main reason you bring him is to check that the car is mechanically sound and doesn't have any mechanical faults or issues. You should be doing background checks on the car such as running a history report and verifying the service history with the garages who stamped the service book.


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    #6
    2forjoy
    Registered Users Posts: 452 ✭✭2forjoy


    Looking at a few on donedeal and it will be a 10 year old car for a first time driver


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    #7
    ironclaw
    Registered Users Posts: 8,004 ✭✭✭ironclaw


    2forjoy wrote: »
    should he know if the odometer is accurate ?

    If you are not mechanically minded, I'd suggest looking at two cars of the same year but differing mileages. Look at the parts of the car that get worn with higher mileages e.g. The foot pedals, are they smooth? Is there a hole in the carpet or mat where the heel of the person rest their foot? Is the steering wheel in good condition? The drivers seat, does it feel like a well worn couch? The side of the seat, does it have marks and fading from someone getting in and out? Take the drivers seat belt and feel the retraction, is it quick and sharp or slow and sluggish? Look at the trim below the headlights at the very front of the car, are there stone chips or excessive wear from a life on the road?

    Take the service book, plot the mileages and dates. Is it a steady 20k mile service history? Or is there a huge gap? Are the most recent stamps in similar handwriting? Are the mileages 'too perfect' or include a lot of 9's?

    These won't give you an exact mileage figure but by comparison, you can reasonably say which is the higher mileage car.


    Unless you are after a super exotic, it's unlikely that you will buy the first car you see and I'd strongly suggest you don't. Ireland is a buyers market, don't waste anyone's time but certainly feel absolutely no pressure to buy.


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    #8
    2forjoy
    Registered Users Posts: 452 ✭✭2forjoy


    what would a daithatsu sirion be like , anyone ever have one 2005


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    #9
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,157 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    2forjoy wrote: »
    what would a daithatsu sirion be like , anyone ever have one 2005

    It's basically a rebadged Toyota Yaris without the high price you pay for a Yaris.


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    #10
    Atlantic Dawn
    Registered Users Posts: 81,501 ✭✭✭✭Atlantic Dawn
    M


    Do a history check regardless of who you get to look at the car.


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    #11
    grogi
    Registered Users Posts: 8,615 ✭✭✭grogi


    2forjoy wrote: »
    should he know if the odometer is accurate ?

    Are you buying a car in particular condition or an odometer reading?


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    #12
    The Sidewards Man
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,570 ✭✭✭The Sidewards Man


    Get a mechanic who works on cars and has experience on that make anyway. Carrying a mechanic who specialises on 4x4 or who is a main dealer mechanic would be a no no.


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    #13
    2forjoy
    Registered Users Posts: 452 ✭✭2forjoy


    Bought a car anyway as discussed here .
    Its a 04 Polo petrol
    brought a mechanic and the car was perfect condition and driving well.

    that was 3 months ago and i checked the oil level when bought and it was topped up perfect .

    now after less than 2,000 miles the oil level has dropped a centimetre on dipstick .

    the buyer wrote on receipt that car was checked by mechanic and no warranty.

    Would this be normal for a VW polo to burn 1cm so soon ?


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    #14
    punisher5112
    Registered Users Posts: 24,647 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    2forjoy wrote: »
    Bought a car anyway as discussed here .
    Its a 04 Polo petrol
    brought a mechanic and the car was perfect condition and driving well.

    that was 3 months ago and i checked the oil level when bought and it was topped up perfect .

    now after less than 2,000 miles the oil level has dropped a centimetre on dipstick .

    the buyer wrote on receipt that car was checked by mechanic and no warranty.

    Would this be normal for a VW polo to burn 1cm so soon ?

    All vw burn oil nothing to worry about but do service right and use proper grade oil just check all levels once a week.


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    #15
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,499 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I'd bring the car to the mechanic.
    that way he can get it up on the ramp,
    or bring a big jack so you can get under it at least a bit.


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    #16
    Atlantic Dawn
    Registered Users Posts: 81,501 ✭✭✭✭Atlantic Dawn
    M


    2forjoy wrote: »
    Bought a car anyway as discussed here .
    Its a 04 Polo petrol
    brought a mechanic and the car was perfect condition and driving well.

    that was 3 months ago and i checked the oil level when bought and it was topped up perfect .

    now after less than 2,000 miles the oil level has dropped a centimetre on dipstick .

    the buyer wrote on receipt that car was checked by mechanic and no warranty.

    Would this be normal for a VW polo to burn 1cm so soon ?

    Was the seller of the car the owner on the logbook or just someone selling cars they sourced on the side? What came out on the history check?


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    #17
    punisher5112
    Registered Users Posts: 24,647 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    It's a 12 year old car they will all burn a small amount it's common among any vag.

    Just keep it topped up it be fine unless it's pooling under the car.


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    #18
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,157 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    If it's the 1.2 litre then yes they are well known for being fond of oil. It's not an engine known for it's reliability.


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    #19
    Bigus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,940 ✭✭✭Bigus


    2forjoy wrote: »
    Bought a car anyway as discussed here .
    Its a 04 Polo petrol
    brought a mechanic and the car was perfect condition and driving well.

    that was 3 months ago and i checked the oil level when bought and it was topped up perfect .

    now after less than 2,000 miles the oil level has dropped a centimetre on dipstick .

    the buyer wrote on receipt that car was checked by mechanic and no warranty.

    Would this be normal for a VW polo to burn 1cm so soon ?


    Yes acceptable oil usage , the car is 12 years old, fair play to you for checking the oil.


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    #20
    2forjoy
    Registered Users Posts: 452 ✭✭2forjoy


    There is no sign of oil on the ground
    kinda knew the vw;s use oil so keeping an eye on the stick.

    its the young ones first car so she wont be doing much driving anyway.

    yesterday the drivers window started going up and down on its own accord . now today the same window is stuck closed and will not move .


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    #21
    2forjoy
    Registered Users Posts: 452 ✭✭2forjoy


    bazz26 wrote: »
    If it's the 1.2 litre then yes they are well known for being fond of oil. It's not an engine known for it's reliability.

    which is best oil for this car 10w40 or 15w 40 ?


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    #22
    Seweryn
    Registered Users Posts: 4,487 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    2forjoy wrote: »
    which is best oil for this car 10w40 or 15w 40 ?
    Out of these two, the 10W40 is better, but a 5W40 is beterer and a 0W40 is best. But then a 0W30 is usually bestest.


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    #23
    2forjoy
    Registered Users Posts: 452 ✭✭2forjoy


    Seweryn wrote: »
    Out of these two, the 10W40 is better, but a 5W40 is beterer and a 0W40 is best. But then a 0W30 is usually bestest.

    great thank goodness someone knows there oils . i wanted to get the thicker one for this engine , and at least now i know which one is thickest .


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    #24
    Seweryn
    Registered Users Posts: 4,487 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    2forjoy wrote: »
    great thank goodness someone knows there oils . i wanted to get the thicker one for this engine , and at least now i know which one is thickest .
    You asked which oil is better, you never mentioned the thickness or rather viscosity.
    But if that is what you are after, then 0W40, 5W40, 10W40 and 15W40 are more less of the same viscosity at engine operating temperature. Any 0W30 oil would be less viscous.


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    #25
    2forjoy
    Registered Users Posts: 452 ✭✭2forjoy


    simply looking for whichever one lasts longest in an engine that is using oil.

    micks garage recommended 10w and 15w


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    #26
    Seweryn
    Registered Users Posts: 4,487 ✭✭✭Seweryn


    2forjoy wrote: »
    simply looking for whichever one lasts longest in an engine that is using oil.

    micks garage recommended 10w and 15w
    It is not the number before "W" that matters in this case. It is the number after. All XW40 oils should last more less the same when it comes to using oil.


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