Independent inspection of used car

[duckers26]

I would like to buy a small roadster to use over the summer and have narrowed down the choice to either an SLK or Z4, both previous generation and up to about £8k budget.

Now I know this sounds naive but I've never actually bought a used car before and know nothing about the mechanical side. Essentially I am worried about having the wool pulled over my eyes and missing out that there is an impending mechanical issue or that it has been crashed etc.

Are there any companies that would check the car out for me to make sure it's not a dud and are they worth using?

Thanks

[Greggyboy]

AA and RAC both can inspect a car for you.

[Speed addicted]

A few years ago the AA saved me from buying a BMW 330ci tht had been comprehensively crashed and badly repaired, there were only two panels that hadn't been sprayed and the boot was rusting underneath the bumper.
Being quite specific on the spec of cars coupled with living near Aberdeen means that I usually have to travel to find the car I want. These inspections do take a lot of the stress out of it as you know what you're getting.

Think the AA is now around the £300 mark for the inspection.

You can also get a car inspected my a main dealer, but I don't think they'll go over the car with a paint thickness gauge.

[duckers26]

Speed addicted said:

A few years ago the AA saved me from buying a BMW 330ci tht had been comprehensively crashed and badly repaired, there were only two panels that hadn't been sprayed and the boot was rusting underneath the bumper.
Being quite specific on the spec of cars coupled with living near Aberdeen means that I usually have to travel to find the car I want. These inspections do take a lot of the stress out of it as you know what you're getting.

Think the AA is now around the £300 mark for the inspection.

You can also get a car inspected my a main dealer, but I don't think they'll go over the car with a paint thickness gauge.

That does sound useful then! I found the AA/RAC tests but wondered if there were people specialising in particular cars that would know that model inside and out?

Also, do sellers normally object to you bringing someone round to inspect their car?

Thanks again

Edited by duckers26 on Monday 23 February 09:49

[PompeyPaul]

As stated you can do this. If a buyer is reluctant to allow this then walk away.

[Claudia Skies]

duckers26 said:

I found the AA/RAC tests but wondered if there were people specialising in particular cars that would know that model inside and out?

Main dealers will usually do this for you, as will most recognised specialists. The advantage of AA/RAC is that they travel to the seller and are recognised names.

[Jasandjules]

I would personally get a specialist to look at it. I say this as one who has previously had AA/RAC inspections..

[duckers26]

Thanks, once I locate the one I want it sounds like the inspection is best for the mechanically challenged! My problem so far is that ones I like and are in budget seem to be a minimum of 200 miles away.

Quick question on the cars I chose: do either of them have any common rust issues as it will be kept outside?

[bls1]

I used www.alternative-vehicle-inspections.co.uk for a Porsche purchase earlier this year, and was impressed.
Based in Essex, looks like you are too (but that only helps if the car you are buying is!). I don't know how expert he is on the cars you are looking at.

[btsidi]

I've paid a main dealer for an hours labour before, to put a car on the ramp and check for obvious issues. A colleague of mine also had a buyer take his car to a local Jag specialist. Cost was around £80

[Jasandjules]

What I did with one of my TVRs was asked the seller to take it to a local place (lucky for me a specialist was about 10 miles from his house). They looked it over for me and said it was good....

[duckers26]

Thanks all for your help. Out of the two cars is one perceived as more reliable/happier to sit outside in the elements?