To inspect, or not to inspect...

[Kucho]

Working my way slowly but surely towards buying an f-car, and wondering about the merits of inspection. If you were to buy from one of the best regarded specialists like Walkers or Cartwright, would you still get someone else to inspect it?

[wineman02]

Not personally no.

I got mine from the Ferrari Centre who were perfect. They installed trust in me and any problems that manifested themselves once I had been driving it for a while where sorted out quickly and with no issues. To me that is what you are paying for. If you go to someone like them or Walker or Cartright they are putting there reputation on the line with every car that it is not a dud. Sometimes in life you just have to trust people I think.

I would always have a PPI done on a non specialist though.

[jdw1234]

I bought an F355 from Nick Cartwright exactly because I couldn't be bothered sifting through loads of dross and organising loads of inspections.

It costs more, but is lots easier.

[Mario149]

Personally, even from places like those, I'd be tempted to get an inspection done anyway. An extra £400 for an inspection when you're already paying £40k for the car doesn't feel a lot to me. I wouldn't expect to find anything wrong but I'd like to have a second opinion as it were. Especially on the older cars where stuff could always be replaced/refurbed and it's just a judgement call...one specialist might think a component is fine in that state, but another wouldn't etc etc

[L33]

I can't speak for Nick Cartright although I believe they have a good reputation but I have bought from walkersport and can highly recommend them. I wouldn't bother with an inspection if purchased through either of these 2 specialists.

[355spiderguy]

i bought my F355 just over 5 years ago without an inspection...

with the exception of the central locking failing on the passenger door due to a corroded connection, all it has required is the yearly services.

maybe just really lucky, but even after an inspection things can fail or an engine can go bang... an over zealous inspection may of put me off my 355 just because the mileage was in the totally outrageous 40's!!

now that would of been a disaster!

[MDahmen]

I suggest you get an inspection by somebody you trust / not connected to the dealer you are buying from regardless of reputation.

[UH-Matt]

Personally it depends on the car and the dealer.

Mine came with 2 years Ferrari warranty (57 F430) and after having a good look myself, and knowing it had warranty on it, it wasn't worth paying for an inspection. If it was coming with non-Ferrari warranty or from a dealer I was unsure about then I probably would... That said I bought my Gallardo from a dealer I had never heard of and also didn't get that inspected... Guess you just have to get the right or wrong vibe and decide from there, I would not do it "as standard".