My inspection report

[Wack61]

Personally I think you're better off to make the trip to see the car before paying out on a report, I very much doubt the dealer expected anything like that many faults or why would he agree to it.

 

[CatmanV2]

I remember one stating 'Script on ash tray broken'
I don't need someone paid £300 to tell me that. I want to know if the engine is about to blow up, if the dampers are leaking and the suspension mounts are worn.

*shrug* Each to their own

C

 

[m1980k]

I used Douglas Reid at http://www.eliteinspections.co.uk/

He charges more than £300, but he visits the dealer, looks out for any tricks, spends a few hours with the car including taking a load of photos (outside, inside and of course underneath) and test driving it. Talked me through all the important stuff - engine, transmission, suspension, brakes - as well as looking for signs of how well the car has been mainatined and whether it's been driven with care. He told me what faults there were, but pointed out which ones weren't a big deal. Then he handled the negotiations including getting the front discs and pads done, rear bumper respray, alloy refurb, stain removed from the boot, repair to that strap that attaches the seat belt to the seat, full valet.. He does nothing but inspect cars (and is a Ferrari/Maserati enthusiast) and it shows.

Lo and behold, I took delivery of the car and everything works, looks spotless and the engine, gearbox and suspension all feel great.

Probably not worth it for a bargain basement purchase, but very useful for something that requires a bigger outlay.

 

[bigbob]

The report would be much easier to read if it was listed in descending order of importance/cost.

 

[Wack61]

I've walked away from a few cars over the years plus the ones I didn't even bother going to see from the vibe on the telephone, innit

Weekend rail travel can be surprisingly cheap so if you get an early train and the car is a dog (which it sounds like this one is and should have been easily spotted) you can make a day out of it.

 

[MAF260]

I used Douglas Reid at http://www.eliteinspections.co.uk/

He charges more than £300, but he visits the dealer, looks out for any tricks, spends a few hours with the car including taking a load of photos (outside, inside and of course underneath) and test driving it. Talked me through all the important stuff - engine, transmission, suspension, brakes - as well as looking for signs of how well the car has been mainatined and whether it's been driven with care. He told me what faults there were, but pointed out which ones weren't a big deal. Then he handled the negotiations including getting the front discs and pads done, rear bumper respray, alloy refurb, stain removed from the boot, repair to that strap that attaches the seat belt to the seat, full valet.. He does nothing but inspect cars (and is a Ferrari/Maserati enthusiast) and it shows.

Lo and behold, I took delivery of the car and everything works, looks spotless and the engine, gearbox and suspension all feel great.

Probably not worth it for a bargain basement purchase, but very useful for something that requires a bigger outlay.

Did he find any rust bubbling under the passenger side rear light?

 

[LDM 3200]

Looks like a thorough report which is what you would want, however with all these things they also need to be looked at rationally too. I suspect that even cars that many people regard as good or even exceptional example could provide a healthy list too.

 

[bigbob]

Looks like a thorough report which is what you would want, however with all these things they also need to be looked at rationally too. I suspect that even cars that many people regard as good or even exceptional example could provide a healthy list too.

Completely agree with that.

 

[Needamaser]

The only non "regular service" item he'd had done was the roof replacement.

But seemingly from the report there is a hole in the roof. Major expense if it has to be replaced.
Agree with Bigbob that some sort of priority or cost of repair listing would make for easier reading and decision making. Engine misfire may be a service and plugs or maybe not. There are some items which are probably insignificant but overall it sounds like a neglected and tired car. Shame.

 

[daverichardson]

Years ago my brother had an AA inspection report on a Vauxhall Viva estate! Happy days
In readiness for a run to Czecheslovakia as it was then.
The report went into the far end of a f**t and the car which was exotic in Czech and a crowd gatherer made it there and back no problem

As for this one
Run

 

[m1980k]

Did he find any rust bubbling under the passenger side rear light?

You know this car well!? As a matter of fact he did...



Is this a well known issue that suggests the car will turn to dust within 6 months? (Although I'm not at home with the car right now and can't remember whether this was one of things that the dealer has already sorted...)

 

[MAF260]

No. It was just spotted by some more eagle-eyed viewers of the original ad. I couldn't see it, but others did. If it hasn't been sorted then get it seen to asap. It will only get worse!

 

[conaero]

My 2006 GS has this rust the previous owner did a half arsed job, it's being redone next month properly with new metal being cut in.

 

[NickP]

which reminds me, I must take off the subframe strip and paint it, likewise the ARB, the shocks etc.... these do rather let mine down.

 

[StuartW]

I've walked away from a few cars over the years plus the ones I didn't even bother going to see from the vibe on the telephone, innit

Weekend rail travel can be surprisingly cheap so if you get an early train and the car is a dog (which it sounds like this one is and should have been easily spotted) you can make a day out of it.

I think a lot depends on how confident / competent mechanic you are and how much you know what you are looking for. Also, if you already want the car before you view it, you will look beyond a potentially important issue to talk yourself into it whereas an inspector will look at it with a unbiased pair of eyes which could be priceless.
If I was buying privately & didn't know the car or the owner, I would have no hesitation in paying for an inspection

 

[m1980k]

No. It was just spotted by some more eagle-eyed viewers of the original ad. I couldn't see it, but others did. If it hasn't been sorted then get it seen to asap. It will only get worse!

Ok, I've found the thread... I see my car was starting arguments before I even got here!

Will certainly get it sorted soon. Once the honeymoon is over (and I've been able to explore the car's limits) I'll have a better idea of what I want to do with it. If it's going to get tracked a lot I might not bother so much with cosmetic stuff (and just get this repaired), but if it becomes a loud-piped posing mobile this might be done alongside a bit more tarting up.

 

[rossyl]

You know this car well!? As a matter of fact he did...

Is this a well known issue that suggests the car will turn to dust within 6 months? (Although I'm not at home with the car right now and can't remember whether this was one of things that the dealer has already sorted...)

Have a good look at Bilt Hamber

 

[miket]

These guys would probably find faults on a new car! It's a pity Maserati UK didn't employ them for the PDI on our cars, moreover it's a shame they don't work as inspectors for DVSA! I'm thinking wishbones...

 

[Gp79]

That is a very thorough inspection report.

I had mine done by Shiltech and the list was very short by comparison, but i think they were more realistic of what a normal condition of a 10 yr old 60,000 mile car would be like.

As others have said i wouldn't need to be told about the cosmetic issues, this should be obvious, it is more the faults the untrained eye would not pick up, previous accident repairs etc but especially mechanical or potentially expensive issues, clutch, brakes, wishbones, oil pump............plus being able to check the history by speaking to the previous garages that serviced it is a great insight.

 

[Allyp]

Hi all, since we're on the topic of inspection reports, I'd like to warn if using Marios at Autoshield. I never got anything written down despite multiple reassurances he's going to send it, and so far the mechanical side has been mostly as described ( ie good) but a lot of smaller issues were not pointed out. Personally, I would have liked a more detailed report like the original poster. Disappointed since I heard many good things about him on this forum