RAC used car inspection Vs. MOT

gaz_jones

Hello all. I am going to go and look at a new car today after work. Its a BMW 318CI 2001 with 73k on the clock. They are asking £5k for it. The car is being put through an MOT this week as it has almost ran out. Now what I'd like to know is whther or not since its getting an MOT done it would still be neccessary to bring out an RAC guy to do a user car inspection. The RAC charge £120 odd for it which for piece of mind is a great price, but I don't want to have to pay £120 if the MOT is basically going to tell me the same thing. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much

steveo3002

the mot doesnt cover half the things you need to be concerned about

engine faults and wear
gearbox problems
bodywork damage and repairs

the mot is only a very basic check to ensure it meets some fairly low standards to be on the road ...just because it has a mot doesnt mean its a good car

kitchpoo

Personally I would go for the MOT and an HPi. But then maybe I know a bit too much about cars and would have a good prod in some of the places that probably the RAC would anyway.

davetrousers

gaz_jones wrote: »

.... for piece of mind is a great price,

You've been listening to too much Iron Maiden, lol

gaz_jones

Thanks for the replies everyone. Think i'll get a mechanic to look at it aswell as the MOT then Just rang the garage and there's another young lady getting a mechanic out today too. Damn cars, It hasn't sold for weeks, then the one time I have a deposit ready etc... there's interest in it

Keith

gaz_jones wrote: »

Just rang the garage and there's another young lady getting a mechanic out today too. Damn cars, It hasn't sold for weeks, then the one time I have a deposit ready etc... there's interest in it

Course there is

terryya

I doubt anyone else is coming, but if they are why don't you hang around and get into conversation with the mechanic.

gaz_jones

Keith wrote: »

Course there is

I thought that too but I did ring about a week ago and tried to arrange a test drive at 6 but he said come at such and such a time because we've got a young lady coming to look at 6. Damn car buying. So stressful!

kitchpoo

Here is an option - ask if you can place a conditional deposit.

ie - a refundable £250 deposit for the car dependant on a satisfactory mechanical inspection - then a) you have the time to look at the car b) you secure it over someone else looking.

make sure you have the terms of your deposit signed and agreed.

gaz_jones

Kitchpoo my friend you are a genius! Why didn't I think of that? I would definitely buy the car if the mechanic said it was all fine and dandy so that is the route I think I should take. Thanks very very much for the suggestion. As you can probbaly tell I really want this car. LOL. I would hit the thanks button but it doesn't work

kitchpoo

Hope it works out well for you and the dealer/seller can see your intention.