Guys/Girls
I was hoping I could get some advice from anyone who has actually had a independent vehicle inspection carried out on his/her vehicle?
I am thinking of buying an 2001 Alfa 156 (2.0 T.S), I have owned two 156's before. I would like to know whether or not you felt that the inspections were of benefit to you, i.e. Did they inspire any confidence, or would you use the inspector (AA, RAC or independent) again.
Finally I keep reading about the 5 page report I will receive following the inspection, is this just 5 pages of ticks and crosses or a proper report?? - can anyone possibly provide me with an old report that they received following an inspection so that I can make up my own mind??.
Any help would be appreciated
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the last garage i worked at had several breakdown companys come and inspects cars we had for sale
i got to see the inspection sheet and they werent that good in my opinion, they had made a big issue out of minor issues that any used car would have, and missed things like the fact the car had several panels resprayed..which i would have wanted to know about
so i guess, if you know nothing about cars and dont have a clue what to look for then get an inspection, but if you know your way around a car then get your overalls on and have look your self
from what i saw..they more or less do a mot check, they checked over the brakes , tyres, underside of car, had alook around with a torch in the engine bay...and a road test ...they didnt do a compresion test or take anything apart. i think most of them run a hpi check and offer some sort of comeback if it turns out to be a dud
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Had a Passat inspected by an engineer (MIMI etc) who picked up a number of issues including a respray and panel damage in its short life. However, he couldn't really have picked up that this car was not an ex-staff car but in fact a VW hire-car. If I'd read more between the lines as it were, I might have been more wary. Symptoms of deviousness included garage not allowing ramp to be used, and no service history provided to inspector, which was odd as its all on the computer, if there is a service history. Anyway, turns out to have been general hire vehicle - when I found the blue VW screen tag in the glovebox at a later date! Message to me at least: when something odd appears, walk away. I was never very happy with the vehicle even though the rear panel was resprayed by the VW franchise at a later date. I'd been had.
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I would track down an independent specialist mechanic who is intimately familiar with the model (via the Alfa club, perhaps). He's going to know exactly what to look for in terms of weak spots, is unlikely to have a sheet of tick boxes on the shelf, and you'll be able to talk to him at length if necessary.
However, given your own familiarity with the model I wonder how much added value you will get from an inspection, if you're more mechanically savvy than I am (quite likely).
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I've only experience of AA ones but the few I've seen have been very good & the AA stand by what they did or didn't find.
Where about are you as you could be better spending the money on an Alfa Dealer/independant report & this would then assist when you come to get it serviced etc.
Jim
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Thanks for all your help guys, it has given me plenty to think about.
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Many years ago a colloeague paid for an inspection by a large organisation which gave the car the all-clear. It soon emerged that the car was a cut-and-shut job! She got her money back, thank goodness!
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I actually have my own car inspection company check it out www . Check with a mech . Co . Uk
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