AA Inspection

[shooter999]

Looking to buy an 04 or 05 GT TDI over the next week or so.

In my budget they've all done about 100k miles.

Would you recommend having an AA inspection done (as I know knothing about cars!)

ThHanks

[JJ]

Hello.  It might give you peace of mind if you were to get an inspection done especially if it would give you more confidence when handing over your hard earned cash.  A car with a full service history and a clear HPI report would be a good starting point.  Could you take a mate who knows about cars with you to look at a few and then maybe get a car you like the look of inspected by the AA?  Good luck with your search and don't forget to post photos of it when the deed is done!

[higher1]

I work at a garage and have seen AA  inspections carried out and to be honest a guy down the pub could do a better job i personally would prefer the local dealers to carry out a inspection as they are aware of all the usual problems etc on the different models and will go through it with a fine tooth comb and it probably wont cost you any more

[Nasir]

I work at a garage and have seen AA  inspections carried out and to be honest a guy down the pub could do a better job i personally would prefer the local dealers to carry out a inspection as they are aware of all the usual problems etc on the different models and will go through it with a fine tooth comb and it probably wont cost you any more

I'd go with that option, it's probably an hours labour (£60?)

[shooter999]

 Thanks for the replies. Is this a service that all VW dealers offer?

The AA inspection & ca data check is £200

[Homer]

If he's buying private how would he take it to the dealer before buying it?

[shooter999]

If he's buying private how would he take it to the dealer before buying it?

Good point!

[jmspear]

Err dead easy, you inspect with mate looking for the obvious, saving yourself any costs if a shed, then you negotiate and agree sale with vendor subject to successful inspection (maybe put down a deposit fully refundable IF inspection throws up any material issues not disclosed by buyer or with rectification cost greater than say £250 - put this in writing) better still if you can get a sold subject to inspection without deposit, then you take to local VW dealer, for inspection,  you can do mileage check and HPI on line yourself , easy to do, ask dealer if he will do dealer check on mileage etc print out of VAG history (he may do if you ask nicely, may need to get owners permission) if clean do deal, if any issues the renegotiate. Simples

Substitute VAG main dealer with knowledgeable specialist if possible and one nearby with good rep, won't get VAG history check but much better check over IMHO.

I have done this with a number of cars and works well.

If low mileage car then also ask for ECU hours interrogation to check against mileage, SO MANY high value cars being electronically clocked it is unreal, they can't wind back hours recorded on ECU though and if you see a 20k mile 3 yr old car with an average MPH of say 70 walk away VERY FAST. This is becoming common cars such as Porsche, not sure about VW's though, but bear in mind it costs £70 to get mileage reset !!! Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware

[shooter999]

Thanks for the reply and advice.

[higher1]

If he's buying private how would he take it to the dealer before buying it?

arange it with the seller he could take it to the dealers if he wants to sell the car and has nothing to hide im sure he could make the effort and the buyer pays

[mkay99]

I have found doing AA checks is useful on cars like e46 m3s, subaru imprezas, mitisibushi evos etc. These cars are usually hiding accidents and poor repair work. With a standard cars like a tdi golf, I personally wouldn't. BUT...it all depends on you and how confident you feel with your own private buying skills! So I guess its all up to you!