Buying Spares and Repair and Emissions testing at home

[felixflyer]

Hi

I am toying with the idea of buying cars spares and repair on ebay, fixing them up and selling them on. I have seen lots going cheap as MOT failures and a large number of these seem to have failed on emissions.

The owners don't know what to do and don't want to throw money at it so just put it up for auction as spares and repair.

Does anyone do this? Is there a bit of cash to be made? Not looking to do it full time but enjoy tinkering with cars so it would be more of a paying hobby.

Second question is can I get an emissions tester that I can use at home that gives reliable results compared to the MOT testing ones? I know there are various things that can be done to get through the emissions test and I have done this before by just taking a car for a good run. I would need an accurate way of testing though.

Regards

[E-bmw]

I don't know of any save the likes of the Gunsons machines & they only measure CO IIRC, so don't tell the full story.

As you have probably found before, there are quite frequently simple reasons for the failure, many of which are cheap & so spending lots on testers may not be commercially viable.

When I used to regularly buy/sell MOT failure cars I had an arrangement with my local MOT tester, while he wasn't the best/cheapest I used him exclusively & he let me just plug the tester into the car when. I needed to if he was between tests.

I guess this wouldn't work if your local is a Halfords, but a look round in your area will probably come up with some you could go & have a chat to reference a similar arrangement.

[felixflyer]

Thanks, I will have a look around.

It would be good to be able to test each time I try one of those easy fixes so I know what works.

[227bhp]

felixflyer said:

Hi

I am toying with the idea of buying cars spares and repair on ebay, fixing them up and selling them on. I have seen lots going cheap as MOT failures and a large number of these seem to have failed on emissions.

The owners don't know what to do and don't want to throw money at it so just put it up for auction as spares and repair.

Does anyone do this?

Sounds like a unique idea, I doubt anyone does it so you may just make a lot of money.

[felixflyer]

Well like I said, I enjoy getting my hands dirty after a day spent staring at a screen but there is never enough tools in my garage so if I can make it pay for itself then thats fine.

Not looking to make a load of cash.

[227bhp]

What would happen if you unwittingly repaired something wrongly, which then broke when someone was driving and caused a multiple pile up with several people killed?

[felixflyer]

I take it that is a wind up.

Repairing basic stuff that a car has failed its MOT on before being put back through the test is hardly rocket science is it.

If a replaced Lambda sensor causes a mass pile up then all DIY mechanics should be banned.

[227bhp]

felixflyer said:

I take it that is a wind up.

Repairing basic stuff that a car has failed its MOT on before being put back through the test is hardly rocket science is it.

If a replaced Lambda sensor causes a mass pile up then all DIY mechanics should be banned.

Yes it's so easy, that's why they are up for sale for peanuts, just for you to put a sensor on and make it all ok.
In all your years of experience in the motor trade, buying and selling you will have seen lots of these 'One simple fault only' cars for sale, they never come with a myriad of problems, the latest of which was the straw that broke the camels back, resulting in 'we'll stick it on Ebay for some other mug to buy it'...

[E-bmw]

Best one I ever did (several years ago) was a Vauxhall Carlton.

CD model decent condition 2 x broken springs, the Lambda sensor you mention, oil & filter change, day cleaning it.

Car £400, springs £40, sensor £15, touch up paint £5, weekends work £0 Sold for £1875

[paintman]

You will become in the eyes of the law and HMRC a motor trader.
Try doing a 'Search' for 'buying and selling cars' & you should come across various others who have considered this sort of thing together with lots of advice. Some of it very good.