Thoughts on pre-purchase Chimaera inspection

[stevie.b]

Can anyone advise me on wether it's beneficial to get an inspection on the Chimaera before making a purchase if the car has just been serviced by a reputable TVR garage?

P Reg 40,000 miles, serviced 150 miles ago. Perfect service history.

Can anyone recommend who to have inspect the car as the AA (who I am a member with) now do not do them.

Thankyou for everyone who replied to my earlier query on mileage, most helpful.

Steve

[M@H]

Hi Steve,

I used to do Independent Inspections on TVRs and can honestly tell you that really if you are not sure what you are looking at then get it inspected.

Also don't be blinded by posh forecourts, cars at dealerships can hide a multitude of sins.. I've seen low mileage 1 and 2 year old cars at dealerships with repaired accident damage that wasn't being mentioned at all to the clients and only agreed to on being pointed out by myself. (of course all had a perfect service history too)

At the end of the day, this isn't a slur on dealers as in many cases I'm sure that they haven't noticed some of the issues with the cars they are selling (however some have ).. but at the end of the day, Buyers Beware.

Cheers,
Matt

>> Edited by M@H on Tuesday 1st March 13:56

[dadamsv8]

Yes definetely I used the master 'Rob Ingleby' who provied an excellent service at a good rate.
All the guys on here raved about him he gave me a very good comfort feel when making my purchse

[M@H]

dadamsv8 said:

Yes definetely I used the master 'Rob Ingleby' who provied an excellent service at a good rate. All the guys on here raved about him he gave me a very good comfort feel when making my purchse

Indeed. Rob and I have run into each other once or twice too.. very nice chap.

[razorman]

dadamsv8 said:

Yes definetely I used the master 'Rob Ingleby' who provied an excellent service at a good rate. All the guys on here raved about him he gave me a very good comfort feel when making my purchse

Too late for my pre-purchase inspection, but obviously sounds a very useful contact. Where is he based and how do you contact him?

[Podie]

Yes, it is worthwhile - but only if you get some kind of guarantee with it (IMHO).

I had the Chimaera I bought inspected prior two purchase by two different and unassociated sources; and one identified other areas that the other missed.

[seasider]

Podie said:

only if you get some kind of guarantee with it

Have to agree on this as bits were missed on mine...

[lockhart flawse]

If, like me, you are a mechanical fool, then I think it is essential to get someone in the know to inspect it. Also I had neither the time nor the inclination to travel all over looking at cars.

I used Rob Ingleby who found me a great car and bought it at a saving which more than covered his reasonable fee. He obviously drives a lot and will know immediatly if it's likely to be any good. 5 months ownership so far and all I have had to do is put fuel and air in it. Hope that's not tempting fate.

LF

[tommomic]

I would defiantly recommend an inspection from a reputable specialist. I personally wouldn't even consider using the AA, even if they still offered the service - its got to be done by someone who intimately knows the mark, and the model.

I had one inspection done by a main dealer for my Cerbera (HHC), and another by an independent for my Chimaera purchase (David Batty @ The Garage). Both cost the sum of about 1 hours labour, and well worth the outlay.

I can highly recommend David Batty near Guildford. I reckon any dealer/indie worth their reputation would do the same - best to contact them direct.

Contact details:
David Batty
The Garage
Jacksons Corner
Compton
Guildford
Surrey.
GU3 1DX
Tel: [phone]

One good thing about David Batty was I had the Chimera on an "Agreed Value" policy with my insurers. They required an independent inspection supported by documentation and photos. He sorted it out, filled out the forms and was generally very helpful, as were Racing Green.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Michael

[AAAndy]

Or try Rob Ingleby www.atalantasoftware.co.uk/sportscar/

Believe that lots of people on here have used him. Can either find you a car from scratch or carry out a full inspection for you.

Good luck.

[Podie]

I'd happily use DB, Leven, APM or Joolz to look at a car..

[ivanhoe]

Hi Steve, I bought Steve Heaths " The Bible" and joined the SYTVRCC where I met the SY's RO Graham Dobson and with his help, advice and assistance I purchased my Chimaera. My wife and I looked at 30 cars before we found the one we wanted.

[parrot of doom]

hehe, I just bought Grahams Chim.

[V8 Archie]

lockhart flawse said:

5 months ownership so far and all I have had to do is put fuel and air in it. Hope that's not tempting fate. LF

Might I suggest that you have a look under the flappy bit at the front with a view to putting some of that gloopy brown stuff and clear wet stuff in the holes if it's required.

[lockhart flawse]

Oil and water methinks? Checked the dipstick - no water needed.....

LF

[Stevie.b]

If I was to employ a specialist to inspect the car I want to purchase, whats to stop them taking my money, looking at the car, telling me it is a load of rubbish even though there's nothing wrong with it and then recommend another client whos paying him more money to search for a good car to purchase the car I orginally found?

Little cynical perhaps but what is to stop an inspector doing this?

If the car comes with a full 6 months warranty for parts and labour is this not my safety net?

[zippee]

seasider said:

Podie said: only if you get some kind of guarantee with it Have to agree on this as bits were missed on mine...

Would also have to agree with these comments, mine was inspected by a very reputable specialist who missed about a grands worth of work.
Not to say all inspections are bad just that maybe this person was having an off day when inspecting mine.

[victormeldrew]

I'd be wary of anyone's opinion if they weren't prepared to guarantee it, personally, especially if I was paying for it. Just my opinion, for what its worth! (Not very much, using my own logic!)

[beano500]

lockhart flawse said:

Checked the dipstick - no water needed.....

Just 'cos the DRIVER doesn't need a drink......

[M@H]

Stevie.b said:

If I was to employ a specialist to inspect the car I want to purchase, whats to stop them taking my money, looking at the car, telling me it is a load of rubbish even though there's nothing wrong with it and then recommend another client whos paying him more money to search for a good car to purchase the car I orginally found?

Reputation.. the TVR community is a small and close-knit one, word would soon get about and then the inspecter would have no customers at all.

Cheers
Matt.