Discussion
Looking to the collective PH wisdom about taking a chance on a car that has been standing unused for almost a year. Apparently starts first time, has had some work done on it but has really just sat on its ass for a while. Any general specifics to look for, something to just walk away from or worth a punt if say, an RAC inspection gives it a thumbs up? We're talking about a 'legendary build quality ... just don't mention the window switches' SUV - quite fancy a rescue mission with this one!
IMO all you really need to do is check the brakes aren't severely corroded. Could be expensive to fix.
Beyond that the biggest problem area is that none of the seals will have been moved for months, so it's possible for issues to arise once they start moving again. Brake and clutch systems are particularly vulnerable.
Battery - if it's been left unused then you might as well go and buy a new one the day you buy the car. Likely to be heavily sulphated even if the seller has managed to get enough charge into it to start the car.
Beyond that the biggest problem area is that none of the seals will have been moved for months, so it's possible for issues to arise once they start moving again. Brake and clutch systems are particularly vulnerable.
Battery - if it's been left unused then you might as well go and buy a new one the day you buy the car. Likely to be heavily sulphated even if the seller has managed to get enough charge into it to start the car.
A lex said:
In comparison my latest shed was doing 1k per week before I bought it and has been pretty much faultless in my tenure.
Yes, I generally make sure all my cars are out at least once a week every week and over the years have had very little trouble. To my mind the whole concept of "laying up for the winter" is deeply flawed.Haven't even made a cup of tea and replies posted already - the greatness of PH! Cheers for the thoughts - wasn't sure if it's worth a professional RAC inspection and take it from there or whether anyone had any horror stories buying things that have been sitting for a while. It's a jap SUV - full service history up until then, so in theory (from various other sources) if it goes, then just needs a service, new battery, brakes stripped and away we go!
...but somehow if it has been sitting I don't think it'll be as easy as that. Or will it?
...but somehow if it has been sitting I don't think it'll be as easy as that. Or will it?
Tyres can go flat, and I don't mean deflated I mean develop a flat spot in the side wall where they've been stood.
Petrol cna go off but I doubt it in a year and filling the tank should dilute it anyway, I doubt injectors will be blocked after just a year.
Brakes seize as people have said.
Air con can go funny in my experience also.
Mice nesting in seats also in my experience but that car did have a hole in the floor.
Petrol cna go off but I doubt it in a year and filling the tank should dilute it anyway, I doubt injectors will be blocked after just a year.
Brakes seize as people have said.
Air con can go funny in my experience also.
Mice nesting in seats also in my experience but that car did have a hole in the floor.
We've got 3 Daihatsu Fourtraks, 2 of which are on the road and one which is parked up as a spare.
It's not unusual for the spare to stay parked up for quite a few months, and then get some quite hectic use (we've got a small agricultural contracting business). The spare hasn't moved since July, and prior to that had stood still since 2010. I connected up a battery, it started, and we were away (via the MOT station).
I'm a big fan of Daihatsu - mechanically they're nearly indestructible.
If the price of your jap SUV is OK, I wouldn't worry.
It's not unusual for the spare to stay parked up for quite a few months, and then get some quite hectic use (we've got a small agricultural contracting business). The spare hasn't moved since July, and prior to that had stood still since 2010. I connected up a battery, it started, and we were away (via the MOT station).
I'm a big fan of Daihatsu - mechanically they're nearly indestructible.
If the price of your jap SUV is OK, I wouldn't worry.
The ultra low miles Puma I bought had been unused for 4 years and used very very little for the rest of its life. Bodywork was great but mechanically : tyres all cracked, suspension and steering bushes cracked or near cracked, brake pipes corroded, battery dead, wiper blades hard and cracked, drainage channels full of crud/moss/other plant life and needed clearing out, pollen filter very mouldy and stank. Brake disks were fine, surprisingly. Just needed a good run to polish off the surface rust and they were sorted. Engine wise no issues at all, ran sweet as a nut.
A 9yr old RAV. Still has a few months MOT. Seized brakes seems to be an issue - if it runs without plumes of smoke and lumpy running then it might not be in too bad condition, especially if it had to move at some point to get the MOT done! Good shout on the tyres, may need add cost of replacements. And obvious reminders of anything that would maybe go 'off' - fluids, fuel etc. That was the thinking about a professional vehicle check / service. Or worth getting a fresh MOT as an indication of condition?
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