Buying used cars???

Question

Is there such a thing as companies like aa or rac to come out and inspect the car with you and if so roughly how much would this cost?

Answer 1

I think the AA charge about £80 to do a check up. Find a mate who knows these things.

Answer 2

Acka got it spot on with the prices of inspection.

But sometimes, the best inspection is the questions you ask.

Trip up the seller on purpose.

Say for example the car is a 54 reg, 1.6litre diesel, say to the seller, so the car is a 54 reg, 1.6 litre petrol?

If you know the car has faults, even something minor like a scratch on the bumper or a faulty window switch - question every little thing and demand to know how the damage was caused.

If they know what they're on about; they'll correct you. If they don't, I'd question them even more.

Getting someone from RAC or AA to come out to an inspection can be expensive, as proved ^.

If you have a car now, ask the mechanic to come with you to give the car a quick check, they'll probably want paying too though.

My cousin is a mechanic and he works at a local garage, he charges people £55 for him to inspect a car they may purchase.

Answer 3

both company's offer this service but its a long process as you have to book the vehicle in and then wait whilst they go to the garage and then you get a report, this service costs in access of £100 but when you think if your buying a newish used car for say £6500 for example, if the cars what they call in the trade a lemon... its worth every penny. plus what ever faults they find can be used to haggle down the price, and if your good you can recuperate you testing fee back off the price of the car.

Answer 4

Local garages might also do this?

Answer 5

It's worth getting an HPI history check as well- a staggeringly high percentage of used cars are found to have things like outstanding debts on them or a history connected to theft, when they are actually checked- and you don't want to be saddled with something like that. It'd probably be helpful to you to have a read of http://www.buyacarguide.co.uk for this kind of question.

Answer 6

Yes,

You usually get the car owner (seller) to meet you at the RAC testing station so they can put it on the ramps to inspect it.

RAC offers two types of inspection:

Essentials

(£125 member and £139 non-member)

A RAC inspection consisting of the most crucial checks to make before purchasing a car.

Essentials Plus

(£229 member and £249 non-member)

RAC's fully comprehensive inspection features up to 166 checks, allowing you to make a decision with confidence.

Book online or call 0800 085 2529

Benefits of a RAC Vehicle Inspection:

Mechanical and structural inspection of the car

Road test before you buy

Written report by a qualified engineer

Optional verbal report on the day from the engineer.

The AA

Choose from two types of inspection

Basic Inspection – from £122

Inspection and checks on mechanical and vehicle operations, and previous accident damage. Full vehicle safety check and road test, verbal report and multi-page written report.

A Basic Inspection is priced from £122 including VAT for members (and from £136 for non-members)

Comprehensive Inspection – from £165

Full inspection of the vehicle's body, paintwork, interior, visible mechanical and electrical components and equipment. Includes a longer road test, multi-page written report and verbal report.

A Comprehensive Inspection is priced from £165 including VAT for members (and from £184 for non-members).

Call 0800 056 8040 to arrange your AA Vehicle Inspection

Answer 7

No idea of the cost you`d have to give them a call

Could be well worth it if they find faults with it  Also peace of mind if they say it`s O.K.

Answer 8

i wouldnt suggest buying a used car some1 didnt want it for a reason!