Car buying based on a professional inspection only

[Bigbox]

Inspired by a similar thread elsewhere I'd like to get the general consensus on buying a car based on an aa or rac inspection only.
I'm quite specific on what I'm looking for in a car and want to spend my £12k wisely but the right cars that do pop up seem to be miles away meaning that if I was to go and see it, due to general life and time constraints, I'd probably go through with the purchase. I have done this before buying a low mileage A3 3.2 for similar money that was a three hour train journey away without an inspection but these days am slightly more cautious.

Thoughts?

[BGarside]

Bigbox said:

Inspired by a similar thread elsewhere I'd like to get the general consensus on buying a car based on an aa or rac inspection only.
I'm quite specific on what I'm looking for in a car and want to spend my £12k wisely but the right cars that do pop up seem to be miles away meaning that if I was to go and see it, due to general life and time constraints, I'd probably go through with the purchase. I have done this before buying a low mileage A3 3.2 for similar money that was a three hour train journey away without an inspection but these days am slightly more cautious.

Thoughts?

I think ideally a marque specialist inspection would be better, if available.

Failing that, hit the owner's club forums, get as much info. as possible on common faults afflicting the car of interest and send the details to the RAC/AA with a request that their inspection includes those areas.

[RacingJames1]

No, I wouldn't.

I have seen the AA miss a big fault when inspecting a car and given the buyer the green light.