Pre purchase inspection South Africa
Discussion
I'm looking at buying a car in South Africa and importing it into the UK. Obviously travelling to view the car is pretty much out of the question right now so looking at having the car inspected by a third party as Ive heard horror stories about the actual condition and also the need to get the export paperwork right. I came across this company has anyone used them or someone similar?
carinspect.co.za
carinspect.co.za
Can't help on the inspection company, but have a look on Jethro Bronner's Youtube channel for his take on the SA classic car industry and exporting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgQFDZ-8AQ4
He's an Alfa specialist but he has some interesting things to say (speaking as a man who bought a SA Duetto, 20 years ago.....).
He might be worth an email as he seems to respond to viewer enquiries....
porscheboy2 said:
Thank you. Thats the reason I need to have the car inspected. Got very lucky with a Merc W124 estate I bought from Japan but suspect cars in SA lead a harsher life.
You'd want to avoid a car that's lived most or all of its life in some of the high humidty coastal cities like Durban as well, salt spray off the ocean breakers combined with humidity means they can be quite rusty from what I've heard.Thirty years ago when I was at Lynx Engineering I was asked by one of my customers to go to SA with him as he had heard that there were all sorts of interesting cars to be bought out there and he wanted a second opinion on hand. What we actually found was that they were all reading the English mags so they knew exactly what the going price was but the quality was simply ghastly, all filler over rust topped off with a cloud of blue smoke. We flew home empty handed, there was nothing worth buying at the prices they were asking. I'm sure things have changed in the years since but beware!
6 years ago a mate of mine bought a Citroen DS sight unseen from a dealer on the garden route ( I'd seen it but not inspected it ) The price was good, even taking importing into account. Pretty well rust free, but it's taken a few years to properly sort all the bodies. He still loves it !
Killboy said:
Depending on the cars you are interested in, I know some people that could help. SA is a bit of a mixed bag, but there are very good people in the mix too.
There is also the carforums.co.za forum, although it's a bit quieter lately
Hi Its a Porsche 928 located in Boksburg. Its been on the market for a while. There is also the carforums.co.za forum, although it's a bit quieter lately
Also to say, highveld based cars are better than those from coastal levels generally, so it's a good start. Boksburg is not my favourite area but it's not necessarily all bad - it's very much the "car and mechanic" area. Apex Motorsport used to be the people to look over a Porsche for you, but I'll ask some mates
porscheboy2 said:
Killboy said:
Depending on the cars you are interested in, I know some people that could help. SA is a bit of a mixed bag, but there are very good people in the mix too.
There is also the carforums.co.za forum, although it's a bit quieter lately
Hi Its a Porsche 928 located in Boksburg. Its been on the market for a while. There is also the carforums.co.za forum, although it's a bit quieter lately
Killboy said:
Are you looking for it Mint? Send me a link or some details and let me see what I can scrounge up
No Not expecting mint but a good drivers car with minimal rust issues https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bakkies/boksburg/...
Castrol for a knave said:
Might be teaching you to suck eggs, but whoever looks it over MUST check crankshaft end float (assuming it is an auto but even if a manual - they are not immune).
Yes thanks fully aware of potential Thrust Bearing issues. This car is a manual so hoping this isnt a problem but I understand manuals suffer from weak synchros. So apparently Cafe9 or Carerra motors are the people to use now. I would have a chat with them about what you are hoping to achieve. I'm not sure it will be as cheap as the inspection site, but if you are serious this is the way to be sure.
https://www.facebook.com/cafe9automotive/
https://www.facebook.com/cafe9automotive/
porscheboy2 said:
No Not expecting mint but a good drivers car with minimal rust issues
https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bakkies/boksburg/...
I'd hazard a guess that the oil pressure gauge isn't working. https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bakkies/boksburg/...
Killboy said:
So apparently Cafe9 or Carerra motors are the people to use now. I would have a chat with them about what you are hoping to achieve. I'm not sure it will be as cheap as the inspection site, but if you are serious this is the way to be sure.
https://www.facebook.com/cafe9automotive/
Thank you very helpful.https://www.facebook.com/cafe9automotive/
Killboy said:
So apparently Cafe9 or Carerra motors are the people to use now. I would have a chat with them about what you are hoping to achieve. I'm not sure it will be as cheap as the inspection site, but if you are serious this is the way to be sure.
https://www.facebook.com/cafe9automotive/
I hate threads where the OP disappears after getting the info he/she needs. so by way of an update I contacted both companies mentioned. Cafe 9 wouldnt touch a 928 but Carrera agreed to inspect it if the seller took the car to them, which he duly did. Good job too as it was a bit of a dogs breakfast mechanically with a coat of paint blown over.https://www.facebook.com/cafe9automotive/
So never buy a car from South Africa no matter how good the photos are without having it properly inspected. I dodged a bullet and thank you again for providing the details.
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