Buying subject to independent inspection
Discussion
Some advice please . I've never bought a car subject to having an independent inspection done .
Is it normal to agree a price and the intent to buy before the inspection takes place , subject to the inspection being okay , or place a deposit , have the inspection and then agree a price or what ?
Thanks
Is it normal to agree a price and the intent to buy before the inspection takes place , subject to the inspection being okay , or place a deposit , have the inspection and then agree a price or what ?
Thanks
I agreed a price subject to the inspection being ok.
You don't want to spend money on the inspection only to find you can't buy the car for a figure you want. Equally I'd of the opinion that the inspection is an all or nothing thing - you buy at the agreed price or you don't buy.
As a seller I think I'd baulk at negotiating a price (obviously lower than the asking) and then having the inspection used to reduce it still further - others may not and I suppose it depends what is found.
Also make sure you are happy with the car - drive it. Sounds obvious but lots of sellers understandably won't let you drive their very fast car without fully comp insurance. If you like it arrange something so you can. Reason I say this is an aspect of my car cost me alot to fix to my liking and the inspection said it was fine. Not best pleased at the the time.
You don't want to spend money on the inspection only to find you can't buy the car for a figure you want. Equally I'd of the opinion that the inspection is an all or nothing thing - you buy at the agreed price or you don't buy.
As a seller I think I'd baulk at negotiating a price (obviously lower than the asking) and then having the inspection used to reduce it still further - others may not and I suppose it depends what is found.
Also make sure you are happy with the car - drive it. Sounds obvious but lots of sellers understandably won't let you drive their very fast car without fully comp insurance. If you like it arrange something so you can. Reason I say this is an aspect of my car cost me alot to fix to my liking and the inspection said it was fine. Not best pleased at the the time.
Hello, it has been a long time since I bought a car outside of a dealer network but your assumption sounds good to me.
I would agree the price then get the inspection done. However, I would expect to negotiate the price if problems were then found.
And, if I was the seller I would like a deposit for me to take it off sale while you arranged an inspection. I have had buyers agree to buy a car only never to return.
Good luck, hope you are buying something good!
I would agree the price then get the inspection done. However, I would expect to negotiate the price if problems were then found.
And, if I was the seller I would like a deposit for me to take it off sale while you arranged an inspection. I have had buyers agree to buy a car only never to return.
Good luck, hope you are buying something good!
Edited by findtomdotcom on Wednesday 4th December 12:34
For a seller's point of view I'd only agree to an inspection if it was agreed that the results/report were disclosed in full to me too, regardless of whether a purchase goes ahead or not. I'd expect to agree a deal beforehand, subject to the inspection, but I'd also make it clear that it's a used car so the inspection saying "front brake pads 50% worn" is not a reason to negotiate a discount.
This is because everything on the car will be worn to one degree or another, what a buyer should be looking for is to know of anything that needs immediate attention, ideally coupled with an opinion on how usual/common that particular issue is and cost to rectify, as well as another items to be aware for the short-medium term, again with an opinion of how usual it is/they are compared to what one would normally expect for that model/age/mileage. This is why you really want an inspection done by someone who knows the model well, sees them often and knows what's involved to fix them, in terms of work, cost and anything else worth doing at the same time (e.g. if you're removing the gearbox on a 996 it might be a good idea to replace the brake pipe that goes over it, which can't be seen/inspected properly for corrosion whilst the 'box is in) i.e. not the AA/RAC....or even OPC for older models.
This is because everything on the car will be worn to one degree or another, what a buyer should be looking for is to know of anything that needs immediate attention, ideally coupled with an opinion on how usual/common that particular issue is and cost to rectify, as well as another items to be aware for the short-medium term, again with an opinion of how usual it is/they are compared to what one would normally expect for that model/age/mileage. This is why you really want an inspection done by someone who knows the model well, sees them often and knows what's involved to fix them, in terms of work, cost and anything else worth doing at the same time (e.g. if you're removing the gearbox on a 996 it might be a good idea to replace the brake pipe that goes over it, which can't be seen/inspected properly for corrosion whilst the 'box is in) i.e. not the AA/RAC....or even OPC for older models.
Agree with thegoose.
The inspector will (you hope) pick up every imperfection on the car, but only some (if any) of these faults will be legitimate reasons to negotiate on price.
The results of any inspection needs to go through a 'common sense' filter before a buying decision is made.
The inspector will (you hope) pick up every imperfection on the car, but only some (if any) of these faults will be legitimate reasons to negotiate on price.
The results of any inspection needs to go through a 'common sense' filter before a buying decision is made.
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