Pre-purchase Car checks advice please

No. 2 son has just past his car test and decided that his CBR 125R is too b***** cold.

We have found what looks like a clean, low milage Fiat Punto. Paperwork (alll MOTs) checks out and it's clear on an HPI check. Test drive was fine and even spoken to the previous owner who had it from new and no problems.

Soooooo

Would you:

a) go with you gut instinct and buy it
b) bung your mate who is a mechanic £20 to give it a once over - but risk your friendship if it blows up after you have bought it
c) spend £130 on an RAC inspection

We are leaning towards (c) anyone know / trust anybody else that does a similar check for less?

B)

Would you really fall out?

Even after a full inspection it could spontaneously combust (not trying to worry you, just trying to put things into perspective).

Just what I'd do, don't fall out with me if option B) proves to be a bad choice

[DJ123]

get your mate to do it.
Just a little helper here, you can check out all previous MOT's online which show failures, passes and advisory notices issued. So you can check on there if anything has been issued in the past

yeah b, i mean you didn't really like him any how

B)

Why would you fall out? He can only see what he can see. Even a full MOT only certifies that the things checked by an MOT test were good on the day if the test. He's a mechanic not a fortune teller!

Here's a curve ball...

Don't buy a fiat !!!

I'm 100% certain it will have an electrical failure at some point.

Don't buy French either, they are cheap for a reason.


Hth


Like ralph said, you can only check stuff on the day and it could go pop tomorrow.

Obvious things to check...

Front and rear panels, under bonnet and inside boot ( lift carpet)
Look at all shut lines, they should be all the same and parallel.


Open oil filler cap, White mayonaise type stuff here is bad.

Brake fluid level? If it's low this would indicate brakes are due for change, can negotiate this off price.

Ideally, jack each corner up and check for any play in wheel bearings, a good hard rocking of the wheel will show up any issues here ( not too hard to rock it off the jack tho)

Visually inspect the underneath for holes, dinks and even rust.

I could go on but if it's been serviced and you get a feel it's been looked after then generally you can go with gut feeling after the above has been checked.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by myfirstsv

but risk your friendship if it blows up after you have bought it

If that is case then that's your people problem! Being a mechanic does not make you clairvoyant!

Originally Posted by specialone

Here's a curve ball...

Don't buy a fiat !!!

I'm 100% certain it will have an electrical failure at some point.

Don't buy French either, they are cheap for a reason.

+10000

Bought the missus a punto (soon after renamed cu*to)

the VERY next day red steering wheel warning light. Oh that'll be the electric power steering column bust then. £700 to fix it for a £750 pound car.

(And yes i did the turn it lock to lock test at the guys house etc before i bought it.)

[NTECUK]

You best bet is to take a long road test.do a bit at 60 mph .
Getting it hot . sometimes things don't show up on road tests.
Even new cars can go wrong.
No Mechanic can just look at a car for 30 mins and find out what's been hidden away.
Look on owners forums for common failers and look closely at these areas.

[maviczap]

My mate had a Punto, no problems at all. He doesn't treat his cars well, in fact the oil filter split because the oil had never been regularly changed, so the acids ate through the filter body.

Was used every day, never let him down.

Was fine after an oil change, but sold it on to some poor sole.

So they can be ok