Car Inspection
Discussion
Reading a few buying guides from a few different sources and a couple have mentioned it is worth getting the cars inspected, however I've not really bought many cars or any high performance ones so I am a bit confused about how people go about getting the cars inspected. Do people do this before or straight after buying?
The car I'm looking at is from a dealer & I've put together my list of questions/things to look for but it will take some time & a ramp & possibly calling around previous dealers. One in particular was FSH but it is replica history as the original book was lost.
The car I'm looking at is from a dealer & I've put together my list of questions/things to look for but it will take some time & a ramp & possibly calling around previous dealers. One in particular was FSH but it is replica history as the original book was lost.
It depends on the car really.
For something classic/collectable, there are normally acknowledged experts who will do an inspection for you for a fee.
For something more run of the mill, the AA will do an inspection, again for a fee.
The other alternatives are:
Take a long a friend who you trust, and who will look at the car honestly.
Don't bring any money with you, so you can be star struck and buy it there and then, at least you will have time, while going to get the money, to think through all the bad points.
Ask on here, let people know make/model and a few other details and people can advise on what to look for etc.
For something classic/collectable, there are normally acknowledged experts who will do an inspection for you for a fee.
For something more run of the mill, the AA will do an inspection, again for a fee.
The other alternatives are:
Take a long a friend who you trust, and who will look at the car honestly.
Don't bring any money with you, so you can be star struck and buy it there and then, at least you will have time, while going to get the money, to think through all the bad points.
Ask on here, let people know make/model and a few other details and people can advise on what to look for etc.
300bhp/ton said:
Not much point in doing it after. Do it before you hand money over... 
Okay, one of the cars I've seen is in a dealer in london, my ideal place to take it would be MRC in Banbury but theres no way the dealer would drive it all the way up there would they?This is where I'm lost as unless there is a specialist right around the corner how do you get a car you don't own so far?
bobski1 said:
Okay, one of the cars I've seen is in a dealer in london, my ideal place to take it would be MRC in Banbury but theres no way the dealer would drive it all the way up there would they?
This is where I'm lost as unless there is a specialist right around the corner how do you get a car you don't own so far?
Well it depends what you are after by having an inspection. At the end of the day, if it matches its description when being sold. What you find afterwards doesn't really matter. If you intent is to haggle on the price or get stuff done before buying.This is where I'm lost as unless there is a specialist right around the corner how do you get a car you don't own so far?
So what would you be wanting the inspection for?
We really need to know the type of vehicle to be able to advise you properly.
I don't think a dealer will let the car go as far as Banbury from London.
I've known dealers tell AA inspectors they aren't taking the car down the road.
Also you should be aware that it's pot luck whether an AA inspector will spot previous accident repairs.
I don't think a dealer will let the car go as far as Banbury from London.
I've known dealers tell AA inspectors they aren't taking the car down the road.
Also you should be aware that it's pot luck whether an AA inspector will spot previous accident repairs.
bobski1 said:
Okay, one of the cars I've seen is in a dealer in london, my ideal place to take it would be MRC in Banbury but theres no way the dealer would drive it all the way up there would they?
This is where I'm lost as unless there is a specialist right around the corner how do you get a car you don't own so far?
Performance Audi?This is where I'm lost as unless there is a specialist right around the corner how do you get a car you don't own so far?
MRC are closed at the moment anyway.
What’s the car?
Looking for a RS6. I've read as many buying guides as possible and I've even created a list of things to look out for.
I plan on taking a mechanic friend down with me to help make sure I don't miss anything. Main reason to get it inspected is to make sure there isn't anything funky with the car, previous damage, bodged repairs etc just some piece of mind for such a car.
I know running the car won't be cheap but I'd rather not have bodged repairs to have to worry about also
I plan on taking a mechanic friend down with me to help make sure I don't miss anything. Main reason to get it inspected is to make sure there isn't anything funky with the car, previous damage, bodged repairs etc just some piece of mind for such a car.
I know running the car won't be cheap but I'd rather not have bodged repairs to have to worry about also
Find a local Indie Audi specialist, they will check it for you for an appropriate charge, though I doubt very much if you can get this done in the current climate, let alone travel to pick it up if it's OK. Last 3 cars I bought I did this and it worked well, if the seller is not keen to co-operate , then that in itself would set alarm bells ringing for me. Which gen RS6 you looking at?
Personally, I would do it like this:
Look at various cars myself until I found one that I wanted - spec, colour, mileage, history, visible condition etc.
Agree a price with the vendor that is "subject to a satisfactory inspection from XYZ" - during this process, agree with the vendor how the car will get to and from XYZ and who will pay for this. Also agree at this point what will happen with any "non-showstopper" findings from the inspection - e.g. needs new discs and pads.
Pay XYZ for the inspection.
Proceed according to the results of the inspection.
In other words, you need to be at the point where you have found your ideal car before you proceed with getting it inspected.
Look at various cars myself until I found one that I wanted - spec, colour, mileage, history, visible condition etc.
Agree a price with the vendor that is "subject to a satisfactory inspection from XYZ" - during this process, agree with the vendor how the car will get to and from XYZ and who will pay for this. Also agree at this point what will happen with any "non-showstopper" findings from the inspection - e.g. needs new discs and pads.
Pay XYZ for the inspection.
Proceed according to the results of the inspection.
In other words, you need to be at the point where you have found your ideal car before you proceed with getting it inspected.
ninepoint2 said:
Find a local Indie Audi specialist, they will check it for you for an appropriate charge, though I doubt very much if you can get this done in the current climate, let alone travel to pick it up if it's OK. Last 3 cars I bought I did this and it worked well, if the seller is not keen to co-operate , then that in itself would set alarm bells ringing for me. Which gen RS6 you looking at?
Until I narrow down the one I want this part makes it a little difficult, going to start digging deeper through the cars online & create shortlist & then try to find a garage nearby. C6 mainly but also tempted by a C5
Have you spoken with MRC - do you already use them?
When I bought my B5 RS4 I had already been a customer of theirs for a couple of years. They advised what to look for (not a great deal on an RS4 other than engine specific stuff) and when I test drove it I took a VAG-Com log of various paramaters which I then e-mailed to them.
They diagnosed that probably the diverter valves and one Lambda sensor was on its way out and I re-negotiated based on this.
When I bought my B5 RS4 I had already been a customer of theirs for a couple of years. They advised what to look for (not a great deal on an RS4 other than engine specific stuff) and when I test drove it I took a VAG-Com log of various paramaters which I then e-mailed to them.
They diagnosed that probably the diverter valves and one Lambda sensor was on its way out and I re-negotiated based on this.
Searider said:
Have you spoken with MRC - do you already use them?
When I bought my B5 RS4 I had already been a customer of theirs for a couple of years. They advised what to look for (not a great deal on an RS4 other than engine specific stuff) and when I test drove it I took a VAG-Com log of various paramaters which I then e-mailed to them.
They diagnosed that probably the diverter valves and one Lambda sensor was on its way out and I re-negotiated based on this.
Not yet, this is all planning for post lockdown. Haven't used them before as I haven't had a need for it with a 1.9tdi When I bought my B5 RS4 I had already been a customer of theirs for a couple of years. They advised what to look for (not a great deal on an RS4 other than engine specific stuff) and when I test drove it I took a VAG-Com log of various paramaters which I then e-mailed to them.
They diagnosed that probably the diverter valves and one Lambda sensor was on its way out and I re-negotiated based on this.
I've combed all the articled & forums to find the main issues and its similar to the RS4, that most of them are powertrain related so will need time to inspect it thoroughly hence me planning to ask my mechanic friend to come with.
The only worry I have is that the car which is unmodified with good MOT history & good mileage has replica service history so need to wait for the dealer open, get the audi dealers it has been at & ring around to confirm the service history is right & get details of what has been done
https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-gui...
The V10 in the C6 is a stunning engine. I've had mine 4 years now and its been maintained by a local very competent mechanic, but other than routine servicing, tyres, etc it's not needed much
The V10 in the C6 is a stunning engine. I've had mine 4 years now and its been maintained by a local very competent mechanic, but other than routine servicing, tyres, etc it's not needed much
ninepoint2 said:
https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-gui...
The V10 in the C6 is a stunning engine. I've had mine 4 years now and its been maintained by a local very competent mechanic, but other than routine servicing, tyres, etc it's not needed much
Awesome to know, I was looking at one pre lockdown & was waiting for some work situation to sort itself out before committing. Now that it's sorted I'm desperate to pull the trigger!The V10 in the C6 is a stunning engine. I've had mine 4 years now and its been maintained by a local very competent mechanic, but other than routine servicing, tyres, etc it's not needed much
ninepoint2 said:
That was one number 3 on the list of wants. Any info on it?I think I need to recheck the list after this and then go test drive so that I have a number 1
bobski1 said:
ninepoint2 said:
That was one number 3 on the list of wants. Any info on it?I think I need to recheck the list after this and then go test drive so that I have a number 1
ninepoint2 said:
Sorry no it just stuck out because mine was OE08 AOV, only 1 letter out.
The issue I have with this one is that the original service history was lost at some point and the current one supplied by the dealer is a copy book.They have a print out of the services done but I haven't gotten around to calling the dealers to check the car was actually there & what was done to make sure it was done properly. Depending on what comes back this will bump it up the list or knock it down.
MOT history is good & is original which is what I want rather than a remapped version with mods.
Strangely enough mine came with a copy service book too, some of the more nerdy types on Audi Forums think that the early 08 cars with OE suffix were Audi press cars, so may explain lack of history a bit I guess. I'm not sure if being an ex Audi car is a good or bad thing TBH. I had mine checked over before buying it and it needed a few things seen to and that was factored into price. Despite popular belief these really are not beyond a decent, competent mechanic and if you have any doubts about service a full thorough service should put your mind at ease. Running them is not cheap, certain parts are very expensive, think I paid around £1000 for front discs and pads before fitting (my mechanic calls it the "RS" tax) though you can often find parts fitted to lesser VAG group models will fit. Avoid main dealers goes without saying. Also if you plan on using it daily it will likely bankrupt you on fuel alone in the first 6 months 
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