Buying a private car, inspection options AA, similar

[Mrinsignia]

I have a seen Jaguar XF Saloon 3.0d V6 S Premium Luxury 4d Auto 2012/12 for sale in a nearby town for £6,700 with 100k. I know a bit about cars but could do with a proper mechanic doing an inspection. Are AA any good for this or should I be using another company or similar service?

Any advice welcome!🙂

[samoht]

IMO the ideal option is a well-recommended independent specialist in the marque, if the seller is prepared to take it somewhere. That way they can get it up on a ramp and they know what to check for that type of car.

However with a private sale and if there isn't a good specialist nearby, that may not be possible, in which case AA or RAC is a reasonable second-best option. They will find some things, they will miss some things, in my experience. So possibly worth doing, but don't assume that there won't be more issues show up after you take ownership and a Jaguar specialist actually gets the car up on a ramp.

[Truckosaurus]

Can the AA type inspection actually spot anything these days when cars have engine bays full of plastic cladding and massive undertrays?

I assume they can't drive around the block to see if it "drives ok".

All they can point out is the life left on the tyres and brakes, if there is any terminal rust or that the service paperwork is in good order.

[coldel]

Im not convinved of the AA or RAC checks. They do nothing other than check the car over like an MOT tester would and will have no specialist knowledge of what to look for. And for older cars there is no guarantee either. If you are handy at home mechanics there is nothing they will spot you shouldn't spot.

Personally I always take a second set of eyes with me, who isnt emotionally involved in the purchase, who either knows the marque or is just also handy with spanners and run with that. Ive often offered up beer tokens to people on forums who live local and had a few bites who came along and did a great job looking at it for me.

[samoht]

Truckosaurus said:

Can the AA type inspection actually spot anything these days when cars have engine bays full of plastic cladding and massive undertrays?

I assume they can't drive around the block to see if it "drives ok".

All they can point out is the life left on the tyres and brakes, if there is any terminal rust or that the service paperwork is in good order.

The AA will take the car for a test drive.

[bennno]

Mrinsignia said:

I have a seen Jaguar XF Saloon 3.0d V6 S Premium Luxury 4d Auto 2012/12 for sale in a nearby town for £6,700 with 100k. I know a bit about cars but could do with a proper mechanic doing an inspection. Are AA any good for this or should I be using another company or similar service?

Any advice welcome!??

Speak to local jaguar dealer and ask vendor to take it there. On a 10 year old 100k mile £6k Jaguar expect the list of issues to be as long as your arm.

Alternatively just drive it for 20-30 miles, make sure its had a fresh MOT and been regularly serviced.

[QJumper]

Last car I bought I used Click Mechanic, and they seemed quite thorough.

The guy took about 90 minutes and gave a full report on the interior, all lights/electrics, diagnostics, brakes, tyres, paint depth and any signs of repairs, any signs of corrosion. He took off undertrays to check for signs of oil leaks, and went for a 20 minute test drive. Probably other stuff I've forgotten too.

If buying from a dealer, and it's not possible to get a thorough check done prior to purchase, then get it done either by a mobile service, or a Jag specialist within the first week or so, so you're still within the rejection period if there are any major problems.