How invasive would you allow an inspection to be?

[donkmeister]

Mrs D is contemplating a particular model of car which, whilst generally reliable, is a model where low compression is not uncommon, and can be pretty well hidden until it gets to a critical point and then it's very suddenly rebuild time.

I have no difficulties with compression testing, but it hasn't escaped my notice that even enthusiasts may tell me to ps off if I show up with my test kit and ask to start dismantling their engine. On the other hand, I've sold cars where the purchaser got a man from the RAC to spend an hour checking plenty of things and I had no issues with leaving him to get on with it (once I'd checked his ID with the RAC). He could have done a compression test and I wouldn't have known.

So, where would you draw the line with a prospective purchaser?

[Rough101]

Not a chance unless it was a specialist with insurance.

One cross threaded plug or crap dropped into the bore is a disaster and frankly I don’t know who you are.

[CoreyDog]

Rough101 said:

Not a chance unless it was a specialist with insurance.

One cross threaded plug or crap dropped into the bore is a disaster and frankly I don’t know who you are.

^^^ This ^^^

A specialist garage with the knowledge and appropriate insurance, no issue.

Some random person turning up to view and wanting to start taking parts off and messing? Not a chance.

[CHLEMCBC]

Why even contemplate such a vehicle?

[vaud]

donkmeister said:

So, where would you draw the line with a prospective purchaser?

You can bring a torch and a code reader. You can take off plastic engine covers.

Anything else you can pay for a professional inspection with insurance and maybe we will split the cost if you buy it.

[mac96]

If it's an RX8, then the seller should expect a buyer to be concerned about compression.
The only issue really is proving to the seller that you know what you are doing!

[ChocolateFrog]

If they were genuine then as a compromise I'd do it for them. I know I'm unlikely to break anything.

If they were genuine I'm sure they wouldn't have an issue with that.

[Dog Biscuit]

Tell your wife to think again and choose something less risky is the best bet I'd say.

[Lozw86]

I imagine many sellers wouldn’t even know what a compression test is, let alone let you conduct one

[donkmeister]

OK, much as I thought, the consensus is "ps off!", with "maybe if you bring a mechanic with insurance" coming in a close second and "no, go on, ps off and take your compression tester with you" third.

Good to gauge opinion, I wasn't sure if I was being a pessimist.

CHLEMCBC said:

Why even contemplate such a vehicle?

Dog Biscuit said:

Tell your wife to think again and choose something less risky is the best bet I'd say.

If she were after something like a modern BMW or modern Ford I'd agree, but we're talking about a rather rare vehicle that can succumb to a lack of mechanical sympathy and/or incorrect servicing. This is PH after all, doesn't everyone have at least one such car on their fleet?

[Nickp82]

Is it an RX-8 (or 7)? Because I’ve bought hundreds over the years and never had anyone object to me doing a compression test.

[Dog Biscuit]

donkmeister said:

OK, much as I thought, the consensus is "ps off!", with "maybe if you bring a mechanic with insurance" coming in a close second and "no, go on, ps off and take your compression tester with you" third.

Good to gauge opinion, I wasn't sure if I was being a pessimist.

CHLEMCBC said:

Why even contemplate such a vehicle?

Dog Biscuit said:

Tell your wife to think again and choose something less risky is the best bet I'd say.

If she were after something like a modern BMW or modern Ford I'd agree, but we're talking about a rather rare vehicle that can succumb to a lack of mechanical sympathy and/or incorrect servicing. This is PH after all, doesn't everyone have at least one such car on their fleet?

I've had a few 'problem' cars over the years - 911 with scored bores, E90 M3 with rod bearings failure et al. I just couldn't run another car with serious failure modes again, no matter how rare it may be.

I'd prefer a path with a little less resistance and sleep well at night.

[BertBert]

Nickp82 said:

Is it an RX-8 (or 7)? Because I’ve bought hundreds over the years and never had anyone object to me doing a compression test.

how come you've bought hundreds? Just curious!

[Fast and Spurious]

Because they've all been fked.

[Wacky Racer]

BertBert said:

Nickp82 said:

Is it an RX-8 (or 7)? Because I’ve bought hundreds over the years and never had anyone object to me doing a compression test.

how come you've bought hundreds? Just curious!

+1

[Nickp82]

BertBert said:

how come you've bought hundreds? Just curious!

Because I’m a car dealer who really likes RX-8s (genuinely)

[BertBert]

Nickp82 said:

Because I’m a car dealer who really likes RX-8s (genuinely)

Cool!

[ingenieur]

Easy way to settle this it to make it a condition of the sale. i.e. if it's something like the RX8 which may have compression problems then you say to the seller the cars are known for it and you want to make sure it isn't a problem before you buy. They say yes or no and that is the decider for whether or not you go for it.

[ingenieur]

Nickp82 said:

BertBert said:

how come you've bought hundreds? Just curious!

Because I’m a car dealer who really likes RX-8s (genuinely)

Is it as common a problem as people suggest?

[Lester H]

vaud said:

donkmeister said:

So, where would you draw the line with a prospective purchaser?

You can bring a torch and a code reader. You can take off plastic engine covers.

Anything else you can pay for a professional inspection with insurance and maybe we will split the cost if you buy it.

…but would you be obliged to split the cost if the inspection merely confirmed your description of the car? Also professional inspectors vary in quality though, doubtless have their own liability cover. The answer also depends on the value, but more importantly, the rarity of the vehicle. Simply put, a Ferrari requires a specific expert. A ten year old Corsa does not - it is what it is .