Pre-purchase inspections

[Moclov]

I'm looking at a SiR-T Accord at the moment, I've done my preliminary look and test drive and now I'm keen to get a professionals opinion on it... Can anyone recommend good mechanics or panelbeaters either on the Shore or in the Mt Eden area that could do this for me?

I'm not going to bother with an AA inspection as I've heard too many stories about their half-ass inspections

[DURTYEF3]

get one of the Veterans off here man.. They know there Stuff lol.. any NZH people put ya hands up.. help a fellow honda lover out

[STR8LN]

Try HomeTune, atleast they do a compression check, AA didn't.

[mick]

I had AA do some recently and they did compression tests?
Electronic mind you, I didn't get the psi from each cylinder.. it's an indication at least

Their reports were pretty good though

[the_chad]

AA are pretty good, and they have a mobile service where they come to the car to check it.

VTNZ do a pre purchase inspection, thats what I got done on my car and overall it was very good- but they did miss some vital things.... The thermostat was faulty, and the lights weren't working properly. However after a complaint they rang me up, apologised and gave me credit for a free WOF.

I think its hard for every little problem to be picked up in a pre purchase inspection but the AA and VTNZ ones do a pretty good job with what they do test. And yeah VTNZ did a compression check.

[EVLEVO]

I have had pre-purchase inspections from the AA and VTNZ.

AA = pretty good. Their reports are comprehensive and seem to test everything a buyer is looking for, including electronic compression test. $130 but I have no complaints in my experience.

VTNZ = wouldn't touch them with a barge-pole. 1/2 the price of the AA but a 1/4 of the service. Usually foreign mechanics with very questionable mechanical knowledge. They tried to tell me my Legnum ST-R was 4-cylinder Avoid at all costs.

I also take any car I am looking at to my panelbeater. He knows if it has been in an accident or repaired in anyway.

Hope that helps

[dorbs]

vtnz costs $125 and includes a VIR report regarding odometer readings at inspections, rego details, warrant details, onwer detials, and also any money owing on the vehicle.

It is all fine people saying, "arrr vtnz is bad, arrr AA is bad". That may be that you have had a bad experience, dosent mean they are all bad. EVLEVO, i could say the exact opposite to you. AA tried to tell me my eg hatch was a EFI when it was carby. When i sold my bema, they did a check for the guy who was buying it. THey did not pickup on the spacers on the front wheels, the highly eratic idle (very notciable b/c of the exhaust), the pull to the left, and tried to tell the guy there was a leak in the radiator when i had pressure tested it myself the day b4 as the car had overheated when a pipe blew.

VTNZ and AA both are going to miss things. .Molcov, people are going to miss things, but at least they are going to give you a good indication of what may be wrong. They dont check alot of things b/c it is impracticle, but both AA and VTNZ do do a electronic compression test which will tell you if there is a difference between the cylinders rather than the actual readings. If anythings shows, just go to a mechanic and do a proper comprssion check.

:thumbsup: for the panelbeater idea, but quite often it is easy enough if you know enough about cars. Depends on your knowledge really.

Knowing they dont always pick up everything, id still rather get one depending on the amount of money you are spending? IMO buying a car as expensive as a SIR-T then i would.

[Moclov]

I've decided to run with a company called Car Inspection Services. A mate at uni recommended them and apparently they were part of a test done by Consumer or Fair Go or a program like that, and were found to be the best. They do a manual compression check as part of the full mechanical check, and a full panel and chassis inspection for crash damage repair and rust. I think I should be okay with that plus a VIR check

[MarkNZ]

Originally Posted by Moclov

I've decided to run with a company called Car Inspection Services. A mate at uni recommended them and apparently they were part of a test done by Consumer or Fair Go or a program like that, and were found to be the best. They do a manual compression check as part of the full mechanical check, and a full panel and chassis inspection for crash damage repair and rust. I think I should be okay with that plus a VIR check

If its the same company as Vehicle Inspection Services then i think you have made a good choice. Ive used them over 1/2 a dozen times on various cars, they have only made 1 cockup so far and that was not detecting a cut inner steering rack boot.

[Moclov]

Yup that's the one Mark, that's good to hear

[David R]

AA is only $90 for members. The electronic compression check gives you a % varience between the highest and lowest compression reading. If the percentage is high then you know to get a manual compression check.

[flat_0ut]

if your an AA member might as well get it done with them. They have standards to keep to and its only $90. Hometunes also pretty good, I got my car done with them. They found every little detail down to every speck of rust.

[tianporn]

Vehicle Inspection Services have been better than AA in my experience. AA look for little things like small dents while VIS look for more mechanical problems.

[Moclov]

I'm not a member of AA so it's not cheap for me to get a test done through them, and I've heard countless stories of major stuff ups so as I said in my first post I'm just going to steer clear of them :wink:

[divz06]

End of the day it depends on who inspects the car. AA definatly have a much reputable name and are therefore more trusted. AA inspection is $145 for non member for a mobile inspection, and that includes the mechanical and body check, compression test and test drive.

trust me, i work for them :wink:

[Moclov]

Ok seriously, -please- read my first post again...

I'm well aware that AA are big and respectable and everyone would like to masturbate furiously over them. 2 of my mates on 2 seperate occasions had 2 pre-purchase inspections done and both missed rather large faults that the WOF man didn't have any trouble pinging them on.

I'm not going with AA. End of story.

Any other recommendations for pre-inspection services would be much appreciated

[mick]

I like to masturbate furiously over AA car inspection reports

[divz06]

maybe Hometune then else get someone old and wise to look at it

[lolude]

Originally Posted by divz06

maybe Hometune then else get someone old and wise to look at it

Dont go to hometune they checked my sisters primera, did compresion test etc a month later she had to spend 4g on a engine rebuild cause piston rings were rooted also the main bottom end bearings were stuffed plus a whole lot of other stuff i cant remember :twisted:

[prelude-CWS2]

AA said my ludes a 2.0 auto (it isnt either of them!),after reading that i didint believe anything they said!

[AdamAnt]

lol, aa said that my 2.2 h22a accord sir was a rear wheel drive

[GecKo]

The AA told me my telstar was actually half hovercraft half helicopter...

Originally Posted by dorbs

people are going to miss things, but at least they are going to give you a good indication of what may be wrong.

:thumbsup:

[divz06]

Originally Posted by GecKo

The AA told me my telstar was actually half hovercraft half helicopter...

:thumbsup:

yup, you cant expect every inspector to pick out exactly the same faults, same story with WOFs. if your going to be that paranoid, get several inspections done