How do you get a private sale professionally inspected?

How do you get a private sale professionally inspected?

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Robbie_FRS

Original Poster:

81 posts

189 months

Sunday 1st February 2015
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When buying private, how do you go about getting a car inspected by an expert? Bearing in mind a car could be anywhere in the country?

Is it something the owner can or should do prior to the viewing of the car? Or is it a case of just going with the owner to a main dealer and have them inspect it for you? And, what does this sort of inspection cost?

Having read the aston buyers guide, it mentions the use of diagnostic equipment to check out a vehicle before purchasing. Now I am not a novice to cars or car buying, but when you're spending large amounts of money privately with no guarantee, it's nice to know what options are out there for peace of mind.

There was also a lot of potentials to check, according to the guide and having never looked for any of it before, I think it could be easy to miss things.

Any info on checking this sort of stuff would be appreciated.

Robbie_FRS

Original Poster:

81 posts

189 months

Monday 2nd February 2015
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The cars private that I'm looking at are definitively cheaper than main dealer approved used. Approx £4000 - £6000 depending on spec. That's a huge difference.

I've heard some horror stories about people buying BMW E46 M3s with cracked subframes and missing service history etc but a lot of this was brought on by a total lack of initial research and taking the sellers word as good on certain things.

If I did find a car I want inspected then is it just a case of researching who the closest main dealer and independent is and going from there?

Robbie_FRS

Original Poster:

81 posts

189 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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Who is Ricky Cann And what did he do exactly? Who does he work for and how did the process work?

As for buying private, I am confident I know what to look for. If I don't like the seller I won't even entertain a viewing.

If everything adds up then normally everything is fine. If something is too good to be true then it normally is.

Robbie_FRS

Original Poster:

81 posts

189 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
Well, i called Rikki Cann earlier today for a price. They told me Rikki would do a full inspection including a test drive and diagnostics for £625. That price includes the VAT.

He then calls you and goes through the report giving his advice etc as you are not there when he does the inspection.

It was a bit more than i was expecting if i am honest even though it is a relatively small percentage of the asking price of the car.

I'm going to have a think about it.

Robbie_FRS

Original Poster:

81 posts

189 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
Does any one else have any other recommendations on people to use?

I am still undecided. Realistically, the £625 is border line unaffordable.

Robbie_FRS

Original Poster:

81 posts

189 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
Diablos-666 said:
Did you actually take the advice of the previous poster and google "Rikki Cann"???
Yes. I obviously googled him.

What is the point of your reply?

is your reply a subliminal jab at the fact he seems very well experienced and established and professional and i should have expected a huge premium?


Robbie_FRS

Original Poster:

81 posts

189 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
Neil1300r said:
Seriously? You want to buy an Aston but can't afford ~600 quid for a professional inspection?
Most of the Indys in the FAQ will do inspections, but you will need to get the car to them. Or get a 140 point inspection done at any AM dealer for ~£250.
Seriously? Did you actually just drop the "you can afford to buy an Aston but not £600" comment? I was waiting for that! And just to clear a few things up. Firstly, I have a budget to work to. This includes budgeting for insurance, tax, travelling costs, imminent maintenance, unexpected maintenance and of course the rest of my bills this month. The £600 for an inspection was not originally budgeted. And it's about £300 more than I estimated it would be. So if I'm honest, I don't like the thought of paying £625 for someone to look at the car when even as you say, main dealer is only £250.

Maybe I should have worded my previous comment differently.

Bottom line is I think £625 is too much.

Robbie_FRS

Original Poster:

81 posts

189 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
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BravoV8V said:
This comes up as the fourth link of my Google search (after the rickicann.com links):

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/9085012.No_jail_fo...
Admittedly, I only followed the links to his website. And this does change my outlook somewhat. I'm surprised no body mentioned this sooner?

Robbie_FRS

Original Poster:

81 posts

189 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
cayman-black said:
Thats funny!
Yes. Hilarious.

If this is what you were hinting at, why didn't you just say it? Rather than leave a vague comment that could be easily misinterpreted?

Robbie_FRS

Original Poster:

81 posts

189 months

Wednesday 18th February 2015
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You all make valid points. But, I'm surprised out of all the replies nobody has actually used Rikki or an alike. I thought I would have heard about a personal experience from someone by now?