Mechanic or no mechanic when viewing used car?

Dr.Dre

Hi guys, I'm planning on viewing a used car from a private seller at the weekend that I am very interested in buying.

Let me first say that my knowledge of cars is very basic. I have never bought a used car before so I have done a lot of research and have been reading through the 'Guide on Buying a used car in Ireland' thread posted here on these forums endlessly.

I ran a check on the car on motorcheck.ie and everything came back perfect and the seller seems like a pretty genuine guy from my frequent conversations with him.

The car itself that just passed an NCT and has had a lot of recent work done on it Timing belt, water pump etc. and the seller has receipts for everything.

However since I lack any real knowledge or cars would it be advisable to pay a mechanic to take a look at it too? I think I know the answer to this. :rolleyes:

But I will be travelling about 2 hours to go and see the car so if i was to get a mechanic to take a look at it would it be more advisable to contact a couple of mechanics in the area where the car is located?

Obviously bringing a mechanic from home would be a lot more expensive due to a 2 hour journey there and back as well as labor. Would any old mechanic I can find in the area do?

And would a mobile mechanic who would come to the sellers house with me suffice?

I know the AA provide mechanics to do full checks on cars but I heard they can be very expensive.

What have peoples experiences been like regarding hiring mechanics for viewing used cars?

Thanks in advance

Kristopherus

But..... are you not in California ?????:D:D:D.

Seroiusly, if you know a mechanic local to you, ask him. Feed him and throw him a brown envelope with at least 1 brown note in it.

Joeseph Balls

Also interested in this. Would it common to contact a mechanic in the area? My own mechanic probably wouldn't be up driving 3 hours on a saturday

dev100

Joeseph Balls wrote:

Also interested in this. Would it common to contact a mechanic in the area? My own mechanic probably wouldn't be up driving 3 hours on a saturday

What's the asking price of car ? If car is relatively expensive I'd get an AA check done.

A normal mechanic will just a basic inspection. He /she will test drive it and be able to tell if it's driving ( acceleration braking clutch ) correctly and look at body work for signs of respray or crash repairs and will look into the engine bay to check oil and coolant and check for oil leaks or other leaks and check tires for signs of uneven wear and visually inspect break pads if visually accessible All visual stuff really. If that s all that you want done bring a mate who knows a bit about cars if car is cheap . You and a mate could do all this plus check all electrics and mechanical items that you would use on a car every day.

If you want an indepth full report and car is expensive go with AA and they'll give you a report it's an extra piece of mind



Simples

acronym Chilli

dev100 wrote: »

What's the asking price of car ? If car is relatively expensive I'd get an AA check done.

A normal mechanic will just a basic inspection. He /she will test drive it and be able to tell if it's driving ( acceleration braking clutch ) correctly and look at body work for signs of respray or crash repairs and will look into the engine bay to check oil and coolant and check for oil leaks or other leaks and check tires for signs of uneven wear and visually inspect break pads if visually accessible All visual stuff really. If that s all that you want done bring a mate who knows a bit about cars if car is cheap . You and a mate could do all this plus check all electrics and mechanical items that you would use on a car every day.

If you want an indepth full report and car is expensive go with AA and they'll give you a report it's an extra piece of mind



Simples

How much is the AA check? Saw mentions of €320 around the Web, but that was a couple of years ago

dev100

acronym Chilli wrote:

How much is the AA check? Saw mentions of €320 around the Web, but that was a couple of years ago

Not sure but if you know someone with AA membership it may be cheaper . Should tell you on their website

Dr.Dre

dev100 wrote: »

What's the asking price of car ? If car is relatively expensive I'd get an AA check done.

A normal mechanic will just a basic inspection. He /she will test drive it and be able to tell if it's driving ( acceleration braking clutch ) correctly and look at body work for signs of respray or crash repairs and will look into the engine bay to check oil and coolant and check for oil leaks or other leaks and check tires for signs of uneven wear and visually inspect break pads if visually accessible All visual stuff really. If that s all that you want done bring a mate who knows a bit about cars if car is cheap . You and a mate could do all this plus check all electrics and mechanical items that you would use on a car every day.

If you want an indepth full report and car is expensive go with AA and they'll give you a report it's an extra piece of mind



Simples

Seller is asking for just over 10k for the car.

To be honest with a recent NCT done on the car in the last couple of months I cannot see anything major really being wrong with it.

Consequently the seller is actually a mechanic himself but obviously I could not take his word for what condition the car is in.

The price I got quoted for a mobile mechanic(in the area) to inspect the car which I've been told would take approx 45 minutes to an hour was about 50/60 euro.

The AA seem to do a full check for about 230 beans but I'm just wondering would this really be worth it? Its practically the cost of the car tax for the year

Dr.Dre

Joeseph Balls wrote: »

Also interested in this. Would it common to contact a mechanic in the area? My own mechanic probably wouldn't be up driving 3 hours on a saturday

Exactly my thinking.

Cant imagine any mechanics from home wanting to travel 2 hours up and back on a saturday afternoon to inspect a car.

I always do this.

Every car I buy tends to be out of the town so my mechanic wouldn't be keen on going to see it.

Just google 'mechanic garage in [location]' and take note of the first few results. Ring them all and ask.

Prices vary wildly, and some mechanics simply won't do it. It will stand to you if, when asking them, you explain that you're aware they're a human and can make mistakes. You're aware they mightn't spot every potential issue, and you're aware that what they say today might not hold true tomorrow (ie; it could develop a fault on the drive home).

Most of the mechanics I spoke to said they would do it for me, but also said they guarantee nothing, because it would seem popular that people get a mechanic to check over a car, and then return to them 3 months later saying X is wrong with it and how did he not notice.


But if you're able to apply some common sense, I find most mechanics will throw the car up on a ramp and give it a fairly thorough look over for between €35-60. Some want more, but that seems to be the going rate. Some will charge extra to wire it up for a diagnostics check, and others include it in the price (and some won't have the machinery to do it at all).

Every mechanic I've used has been excellent. Where are you buying the car? I used a mechanic in Limerick, Swords, and Dundalk (3 different lads obviously) and would have no issue recommending them. They were brilliant.


Also, be careful of talking money until the car has been looked at. Most people have a bit of haggle room in their price. I find the best thing to do is haggle to a price you're willing to pay for the car, and then agree to buy it once an indy mechanic has checked it and given it a thumbs up.

If the mechanic says "it's got X and Y wrong, it'll cost you €500 to fix it" then you can use that to haggle further. Most sellers are honest enough and will go someway towards genuine repair costs.


For the money you spend to get it done, it's the best money you'll ever spend. If I had the money for a car, and only an extra €50 in my pocket, i'd sooner spend it on an indy mechanic than on a motorcheck, for example. At least you're walking into a sale with your eyes open. You've a real idea of any potential costs coming with the car, etc.


EDIT: My hole would I be paying AA €300 to look at it! Balls to that! :eek:

cruizer101

Just on the AA check, I know someone who recently had them check over a car which then developed a fault which would have shown up had they plugged in diagnostics to the car, they don't do this where many other mechanics do, so just because they charge more doens't mean they are better.

acronym Chilli

Dr.Dre wrote: »

To be honest with a recent NCT done on the car in the last couple of months I cannot see anything major really being wrong with it.

That's probably a reasonable approach. But just to note as caution some counterexamples.

I've had a Saab 93 in for NCT, and come out with a completely clean bill of health, yet a mechanic is telling me I've a bulkhead crack that he says should be dealt with...

Have also seen a Punto come through with pretty bad chassis corrosion that a proper poke around would have revealed (and did reveal a little later on).

(It's hard to get good advice: had a CEL on, which I'd checked code, same mechanic was talking about fixing boost pressure valve (same tip as online search) at something like €100 or €200 (forget amount). Other suggestion (i found on web) is to check condition of vacuum lines, I had a superficial look at vacuum lines and within 30 seconds noticed a little nozzle that looked like it should be conncted to something, I look down and the little rubber hose had fallen off, reconnect it, clear the code and the CEL has been off for 1000km, came on again last night, i looked again, and same little hose had fallen off. So i can carry on like that or spend the few quid at motor factors to replace the hose myself.)

Muckie

Used to work as a mobile mechanic.

The NCT is not worth the paper its printed on sometimes.

Did a good few car viewings in my time.

Test drive, never drive a car that warm or hot when you arrive to view it.
(if so be wary)

Also never try and view cars at night or in car parks.

Any car over ten years old should have some work done to it, clutch, timing belt, service history(Irish people, not so good on this, until recent years).

Check the wear on the steering wheel, clutch pedal.
Get down on the ground look underneath the car, check sills for rust, any leaking oil from the gearbox or engine.

You might come across some mobile mechanics on Adverts that can help, good luck.

uck51js9zml2yt

It might help if you say were the car is. Someone here might know someone!

cnoc

OP what make/model, year, mileage and asking price?

Dr.Dre

Deleted User wrote: »

I always do this.

Every car I buy tends to be out of the town so my mechanic wouldn't be keen on going to see it.

Just google 'mechanic garage in [location]' and take note of the first few results. Ring them all and ask.

Prices vary wildly, and some mechanics simply won't do it. It will stand to you if, when asking them, you explain that you're aware they're a human and can make mistakes. You're aware they mightn't spot every potential issue, and you're aware that what they say today might not hold true tomorrow (ie; it could develop a fault on the drive home).

Most of the mechanics I spoke to said they would do it for me, but also said they guarantee nothing, because it would seem popular that people get a mechanic to check over a car, and then return to them 3 months later saying X is wrong with it and how did he not notice.


But if you're able to apply some common sense, I find most mechanics will throw the car up on a ramp and give it a fairly thorough look over for between €35-60. Some want more, but that seems to be the going rate. Some will charge extra to wire it up for a diagnostics check, and others include it in the price (and some won't have the machinery to do it at all).

Every mechanic I've used has been excellent. Where are you buying the car? I used a mechanic in Limerick, Swords, and Dundalk (3 different lads obviously) and would have no issue recommending them. They were brilliant.


Also, be careful of talking money until the car has been looked at. Most people have a bit of haggle room in their price. I find the best thing to do is haggle to a price you're willing to pay for the car, and then agree to buy it once an indy mechanic has checked it and given it a thumbs up.

If the mechanic says "it's got X and Y wrong, it'll cost you €500 to fix it" then you can use that to haggle further. Most sellers are honest enough and will go someway towards genuine repair costs.


For the money you spend to get it done, it's the best money you'll ever spend. If I had the money for a car, and only an extra €50 in my pocket, i'd sooner spend it on an indy mechanic than on a motorcheck, for example. At least you're walking into a sale with your eyes open. You've a real idea of any potential costs coming with the car, etc.


EDIT: My hole would I be paying AA €300 to look at it! Balls to that! :eek:

Thanks great info here.

Yeah the general feeling I got off a couple of mechanics I've rang is that most of them are not interested, especially garages that sell cars themselves which is perfectly understandable.

However, in the end I did get a name of someone in the area who might be willing to help me out. After ringing him and initially him telling me that it wasn't really something he would often do I began chatting with him about the car and other things and he eventually said if he wasn't busy and nothing came up tomorrow he said he'd be willing to take a look if I brought it down to him.

He said it would only take maybe half an hour or 45 minutes so now my question is what is a reasonable amount to pay him for this time. I was thinking maybe 50 euro or would this be too excessive?

I think it seems very wise too to not discuss money with the seller until the car is fully checked out and everything seems okay.

Dr.Dre

acronym Chilli wrote: »

That's probably a reasonable approach. But just to note as caution some counterexamples.

I've had a Saab 93 in for NCT, and come out with a completely clean bill of health, yet a mechanic is telling me I've a bulkhead crack that he says should be dealt with...

Have also seen a Punto come through with pretty bad chassis corrosion that a proper poke around would have revealed (and did reveal a little later on).

(It's hard to get good advice: had a CEL on, which I'd checked code, same mechanic was talking about fixing boost pressure valve (same tip as online search) at something like €100 or €200 (forget amount). Other suggestion (i found on web) is to check condition of vacuum lines, I had a superficial look at vacuum lines and within 30 seconds noticed a little nozzle that looked like it should be conncted to something, I look down and the little rubber hose had fallen off, reconnect it, clear the code and the CEL has been off for 1000km, came on again last night, i looked again, and same little hose had fallen off. So i can carry on like that or spend the few quid at motor factors to replace the hose myself.)

I'd be lying if I said I understood half of what you told me there

Dr.Dre

cnoc wrote: »

OP what make/model, year, mileage and asking price?

2010 VW Golf, 130,000km, 10000 euro, full NCT until 2018 timing belt recently done

acronym Chilli

Dr.Dre wrote: »

I'd be lying if I said I understood half of what you told me there

Sorry! Rambling! :-)

Stoogie

Dr.Dre wrote: »

Seller is asking for just over 10k for the car.

To be honest with a recent NCT done on the car in the last couple of months I cannot see anything major really being wrong with it.

Consequently the seller is actually a mechanic himself but obviously I could not take his word for what condition the car is in.

The price I got quoted for a mobile mechanic(in the area) to inspect the car which I've been told would take approx 45 minutes to an hour was about 50/60 euro.

The AA seem to do a full check for about 230 beans but I'm just wondering would this really be worth it? Its practically the cost of the car tax for the year

I don't like buying off a mechanic, how long has he had it?

Dr.Dre

Stoogie wrote: »

I don't like buying off a mechanic, how long has he had it?

He's had it 6 years.

The fact that he is a mechanic could be looked at as both good and bad in my opinion.

dev100

Dr.Dre wrote:

2010 VW Golf, 130,000km, 10000 euro, full NCT until 2018 timing belt recently done

Roughly under 22K a year

Nct is pretty useless they can only go on what they visually see or anything the diagnostics equipment tell them . I had a torn cv boot which can be easily seen and few other bits that were gone still passed ...but only minor stuff those things will go due to wear and tear

Dr.Dre wrote:

The fact that he is a mechanic could be looked at as both good and bad in my opinion.

Sometimes their own cars are last to be fixed

Ask to look at the service book . He ll probably have done everything himself and wrote everything down

Dr.Dre wrote:

He's had it 6 years.

Bought from new ? One owner ?

9935452

Dr.Dre wrote: »

2010 VW Golf, 130,000km, 10000 euro, full NCT until 2018 timing belt recently done

One piece of advice is find out what the engine code is .
If it is BXE you might be buying a car that could have major problems

Dr.Dre

dev100 wrote: »

Roughly under 22K a year

Nct is pretty useless they can only go on what they visually see or anything the diagnostics equipment tell them . I had a torn cv boot which can be easily seen and few other bits that were gone still passed ...but only minor stuff those things will go due to wear and tear




Sometimes their own cars are last to be fixed

Ask to look at the service book . He ll probably have done everything himself and wrote everything down



Bought from new ? One owner ?

Sorry I failed to mention he is not actually a car mechanic himself i think he deals with heavier machinery tractors etc. Silly me.

I saw the service history book. Everything looked good and was regularly serviced and I also saw receipts for recent work done.

2 owners including himself. Checked out with what was on the report. Asked him how long he owned it and he gave me a good estimate which I already knew of course.

Dr.Dre

9935452 wrote: »

One piece of advice is find out what the engine code is .
If it is BXE you might be buying a car that could have major problems

The engine code now would that be the same as the engine No.? I'm pretty sure its on the report. It's not BXE.


One thing I didn't get that the report didn't give me either was the VIN/Chassis number. Is this needed?

dev100

Dr.Dre wrote:

2 owners including himself. Checked out with what was on the report. Asked him how long he owned it and he gave me a good estimate which I already knew of course.

I'm trying to find the post where u said he had it 6 year and it's a 2010😂 I must be losing it !!!

Stoogie

dev100 wrote: »

I'm trying to find the post where u said he had it 6 year and it's a 2010😂 I must be losing it !!!

Dr.Dre wrote: »

He's had it 6 years.

The fact that he is a mechanic could be looked at as both good and bad in my opinion.

Dr.Dre wrote: »

2010 VW Golf, 130,000km, 10000 euro, full NCT until 2018 timing belt recently done

that's what was said

9935452

Dr.Dre wrote: »

The engine code now would that be the same as the engine No.? I'm pretty sure its on the report. It's not BXE.


One thing I didn't get that the report didn't give me either was the VIN/Chassis number. Is this needed?

The engine code is a 3 or 4 letter code the likes of ATD, AXR, BEW, BMT,BJB, BKC, BLS, BSV, BXE. As long as its not BXE.

The vin number should be on the VLC (log book).
Personally id check that they match

bazz26

A 2010 diesel Golf would either be 1.6 litre or 2.0 litre TDI CR. BXE would have been one of the older 1.9 litre TDI PD engines afaik.

dev100

bazz26 wrote:

A 2010 diesel Golf would either be 1.6 litre or 2.0 litre TDI CR. BXE would have been one of the older 1.9 litre TDI PD engines afaik.

I think my old golf the Pd engines were a mark 4 version ??. Think mine was a BXE

ShadowHearth

I personally never buy car without mechanic. I am kind of lucky, my best friend is my mechanic so even if I need to go look at car at 3:00 in the morning, he will go or open his garage for it.

One thing we do, is of we go check a car, we find near by mechanic and ask to use his lift to check car, give lads 20 quid then. This sneaky thing saved me a few times now from dodgy cars.