Vehicle inspection

[chevronb37]

Chaps,

I am buying an Elise privately from a fellow Pistonheader and would like the peace of mind offered by a professional vehicle inspection. Can anyone suggest a good source of such a service? I am an RAC member, so considered them, but not sure if they're the best choice for a specialist car.

Thanks,

Swifty

[MrP80]

AA or RAC don't remove undertray's or anything else like that. Much better to get a local dealer or specialist to have a look, most will be happy to help for a small fee - not sure who is local to your area

Edited by MrP80 on Tuesday 20th January 11:22

[chevronb37]

MrP80 said:

AA or RAC don't remove undertray's or anything else like that. Much better to get a local dealer or specialist to have a look, most will be happy to help for a small fee - not sure who is local to your area

Edited by MrP80 on Tuesday 20th January 11:22

Yeah, I suspect the RAC might be stumped! The car is based in Wiltshire, but I have to move pretty quickly. For an '06 plate car under warranty until mid-2011,, is it strictly necessary do you think?

[MrP80]

chevronb37 said:

MrP80 said:

AA or RAC don't remove undertray's or anything else like that. Much better to get a local dealer or specialist to have a look, most will be happy to help for a small fee - not sure who is local to your area

Edited by MrP80 on Tuesday 20th January 11:22

Yeah, I suspect the RAC might be stumped! The car is based in Wiltshire, but I have to move pretty quickly. For an '06 plate car under warranty until mid-2011,, is it strictly necessary do you think?

Not massively if you know the cars quite well and can have a good look. I would secure the car and put a deposit down if you can see nothing wrong, with the provision it will pass a later inspection. If it's under warranty it should be covered anyway - the only thing to look out for is crash damage or major wear and tear.

In that area is Dick Lovett in Swindon (Lotus dealer), or if you can get the car to Specialised in Reading or Steve Williams in maidenhead they will help too. If owner suspect no problem it shouldn't be an issue

Edited by MrP80 on Tuesday 20th January 11:43

[chevronb37]

Yeah, that is the way it's looking at the moment. I have checked it to the best of my knowledge and it looks awesome. I can't wait to become part of the Lotus-owning fraternity.

[tstendall]

Hi everyone - I just posted a similar query on this site recently as I am in the same position and I'm glad I took the advice to get a specialist to look at my prospective purchase.

I'm considering a 111r at the moment and got a 1.5 hour inspection + they took it out for drive + HPI from lotus stratstone in cardiff.

They picked up on some crazy stuff, really picky things like gromits missing out of door cards and the fact the car had non-standard raised lettering on the back.

Cost £125 but well worth it in my view given you could pay the same to AA or 3 times that to RAC and I bet they wouldn't take the undertray off.

My advice - take, or arrange for the seller to take, it to a specialist in the area local to the car and ask for a written report + ask 'em to call you to go through it as well.

Also, there is no substitute for asking loads of questions of the seller. Especially so if you're getting a K-series model.

Happy hunting

Cheers

Tom