Do I still need an indipendant survey ?
Discussion
It is not at all necessary to have an inspection if you know all that there is to beware of with this marque and have a good mechanical knowledge, otherwise, it could be advisable even when viewing a car being offered by a reputable dealer.
A low mileage example with an excellent write up can still conceal a number of expensive issues that will need to be rectified. My strategy, as a consequence of my not possessing the necessary mechanical know how, would favour finding a vehicle that has been regularly used and well maintained then get an inspection done to verify that all is in good order. This approach has allowed me to obtain some excellent cars for very reasonable prices and to have the all important peace of mind that you want when spending your money on used cars.
The added advantage of following this process has often allowed me to negotiate the price of a vehicle where it has become apparent that a small number of minor issues need to be rectified. In one case I have paid for an inspection that identified very major issues that prevented me from proceeding with a transaction, however, this is the only time that the cost of a inspection has been a net loss to me, in every other case the cost of the inspection has been exceeded by the saving on the purchase price of the vehicle either in cash terms or for the work under taken by the vendor before the sale has been completed.
I am aware, as a consequence of my membership of AMOC and conversations with other club members, that on occasion the reaction of a vendor to the suggestion of an inspection being undertaken has been enough for them to walk away!
If you are in doubt I am happy to PM you the details of a Bentley / Rolls Royce specialist who I would be happy to recommend.
A low mileage example with an excellent write up can still conceal a number of expensive issues that will need to be rectified. My strategy, as a consequence of my not possessing the necessary mechanical know how, would favour finding a vehicle that has been regularly used and well maintained then get an inspection done to verify that all is in good order. This approach has allowed me to obtain some excellent cars for very reasonable prices and to have the all important peace of mind that you want when spending your money on used cars.
The added advantage of following this process has often allowed me to negotiate the price of a vehicle where it has become apparent that a small number of minor issues need to be rectified. In one case I have paid for an inspection that identified very major issues that prevented me from proceeding with a transaction, however, this is the only time that the cost of a inspection has been a net loss to me, in every other case the cost of the inspection has been exceeded by the saving on the purchase price of the vehicle either in cash terms or for the work under taken by the vendor before the sale has been completed.
I am aware, as a consequence of my membership of AMOC and conversations with other club members, that on occasion the reaction of a vendor to the suggestion of an inspection being undertaken has been enough for them to walk away!
If you are in doubt I am happy to PM you the details of a Bentley / Rolls Royce specialist who I would be happy to recommend.
I don't know how much he charges, because I haven't bought one for 10 years, but my cars have been looked after by Nigel Sandel for a decade. He's a really nice chap and is based in Isleworth. He's also a member of the RRBSA .
http://www.nsandell.com/
http://www.rrbsa.co.uk/
http://www.nsandell.com/
http://www.rrbsa.co.uk/
By contrast I had a less than good experience with Nigel, wouldn't go back, and certainly wouldn't recommend him. Member of the RRBSA or not (and in the end of the day what exactly is that worth?).
I think that there are serious issues of quality of work and value for money attached to many of the specialists who swarm around the enthusiasts clubs, and get work because they are perceived to be 'enthusiasts and good guys'.
If you want the details pm me.
I think that there are serious issues of quality of work and value for money attached to many of the specialists who swarm around the enthusiasts clubs, and get work because they are perceived to be 'enthusiasts and good guys'.
If you want the details pm me.
Edited by cardigankid on Thursday 5th March 08:59
hi i am trying to find a continental gt for about £30,000 - £35,000 and would be very grateful for the contact details of a trustworthy specialist in London who i could pay to give me a report on the car ?
12 POT said:
It is not at all necessary to have an inspection if you know all that there is to beware of with this marque and have a good mechanical knowledge, otherwise, it could be advisable even when viewing a car being offered by a reputable dealer.
A low mileage example with an excellent write up can still conceal a number of expensive issues that will need to be rectified. My strategy, as a consequence of my not possessing the necessary mechanical know how, would favour finding a vehicle that has been regularly used and well maintained then get an inspection done to verify that all is in good order. This approach has allowed me to obtain some excellent cars for very reasonable prices and to have the all important peace of mind that you want when spending your money on used cars.
The added advantage of following this process has often allowed me to negotiate the price of a vehicle where it has become apparent that a small number of minor issues need to be rectified. In one case I have paid for an inspection that identified very major issues that prevented me from proceeding with a transaction, however, this is the only time that the cost of a inspection has been a net loss to me, in every other case the cost of the inspection has been exceeded by the saving on the purchase price of the vehicle either in cash terms or for the work under taken by the vendor before the sale has been completed.
I am aware, as a consequence of my membership of AMOC and conversations with other club members, that on occasion the reaction of a vendor to the suggestion of an inspection being undertaken has been enough for them to walk away!
If you are in doubt I am happy to PM you the details of a Bentley / Rolls Royce specialist who I would be happy to recommend.
A low mileage example with an excellent write up can still conceal a number of expensive issues that will need to be rectified. My strategy, as a consequence of my not possessing the necessary mechanical know how, would favour finding a vehicle that has been regularly used and well maintained then get an inspection done to verify that all is in good order. This approach has allowed me to obtain some excellent cars for very reasonable prices and to have the all important peace of mind that you want when spending your money on used cars.
The added advantage of following this process has often allowed me to negotiate the price of a vehicle where it has become apparent that a small number of minor issues need to be rectified. In one case I have paid for an inspection that identified very major issues that prevented me from proceeding with a transaction, however, this is the only time that the cost of a inspection has been a net loss to me, in every other case the cost of the inspection has been exceeded by the saving on the purchase price of the vehicle either in cash terms or for the work under taken by the vendor before the sale has been completed.
I am aware, as a consequence of my membership of AMOC and conversations with other club members, that on occasion the reaction of a vendor to the suggestion of an inspection being undertaken has been enough for them to walk away!
If you are in doubt I am happy to PM you the details of a Bentley / Rolls Royce specialist who I would be happy to recommend.
For a GT, I would get the AA or the RAC - you just need to be very careful with someone who is in the trade and may have a conflict of interest with any dealer - and most of these cars are with dealers. There is also the question of vested interest. Just be extremely careful. In the end, the GT is quite a conventional modern luxury car from the VAG group, and for this reason I would say your best bet is the AA or RAC.
matt5791 said:
For a GT, I would get the AA or the RAC - you just need to be very careful with someone who is in the trade and may have a conflict of interest with any dealer - and most of these cars are with dealers. There is also the question of vested interest. Just be extremely careful. In the end, the GT is quite a conventional modern luxury car from the VAG group, and for this reason I would say your best bet is the AA or RAC.
I agree that for cars which are relatively new then the AA / RAC are likely to be a sound option. I would prefer a marque-knowledgeable person.
I have experienced an 'expert' from one of the main 'breakdown' providers who didn't realise, and didn't ask, how the vacuum seat-locking system worked on a particular M Benz, thus providing a report stating that the car was 'dangerous' because the seats didn't lock. A specialist would have known that they were designed to lock when the engine was running.
A small thing, but it put me off using 'generalists' for specialist vehicles.
I have experienced an 'expert' from one of the main 'breakdown' providers who didn't realise, and didn't ask, how the vacuum seat-locking system worked on a particular M Benz, thus providing a report stating that the car was 'dangerous' because the seats didn't lock. A specialist would have known that they were designed to lock when the engine was running.
A small thing, but it put me off using 'generalists' for specialist vehicles.
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