Inspection On A Car 200 Miles Away?

[Barlimow 0]

I'm in the market for a 1.9 GTi at present, but good ones don't seem to come up very often (I'm not talking £5-6k examples here, more like £2k (so not mint or really low mileage, but well looked after, not needing tons of work etc)), and when they are they are about 150-200 miles away (I'm in the Midlands). I don't mind going to view if they're a reasonable distance and I'm comfortable that I could look round/under/drive the car and pick anything major up (though I'm no expert or mechanic), but taking a day off work, and spending 7 hours round trip / £100 in petrol to see a car that could be a waste of time made me think that if I did some good research up-front (talking to the seller, getting some good photos, some net research etc) are there any specialists around the country that will go and take a look for me? My mate is into Porsches, and he would call up Peter Morgan who has people all over the country who will do an inspection (at a price...).

 

Now of course a 205 and a Porsche are in different price brackets, but if an equivalent sort of service was available for a reasonable price then it might seem a lot to pay vs the price of the car, but compared to the "cost" of a day off work / 7 hours in the car / petrol, it may seem worth while. Obviously I would only do it if I was fairly certain that it's one that (subject to a decent viewing/drive/inspection) I would want to buy.

 

Of course, I am talking about someone who knows 205s, rather than a generic AA/RAC inspection, and there probably isn't anything available, but thought I would ask. And I'm not wanting a huge written report detailing every minor blemish on a 20+ yr-old car, but really a verbal report on whether it is largely a sound car and what any issues may be that may either put me off completely or I'd need to consider the rectification cost of (and therefore need to factor into any offer).

 

I had a 205 about 10 years ago (Phase 1 Cherry Red 1.9 non-PAS), and found it about 5 miles away, so I was lucky back then! Kept for 18m, sold it for what I paid for it, but wish I'd kept it now. I'd probably pay more money now to buy it back. Happy days, I miss it.

 

Thanks. (and sorry if this is in the wrong place - mods, pls move if so!).

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

One thing to bear in mind with having someone else looking over a car, is what they may consider small issues, you may class as larger ones when you collect it.

 

Obviously if a knowledgeable member was to look over a car you have the safety of them knowing their onions - but is worth bearing mind the above as because they know so much, they arms long list of simple niggles may be more than you want to take on.

 

You really are going to have to be prepared to either travel and take the gamble and hope that a lengthy chat with a reputable seller reveals all, or perhaps hold out for more local examples.

 

Whatever car you buy you will always have the risk of buying a dog.

 

I would advise you to have a decent look on here at the common issues, think about any problems and how you are able to tackle them. I.E is a beam rebuild within your abilities. Are you seeking a solid car yet a few common running issues wouldn't put you off.

 

As is commonly said on here, but I will say again. Buy on condition not mileage.

 

I think whatever example you buy, be preapred to have to do something to it. After 20 or so years there have usually been many fingers in the pie so to speak, so you may find yourself rectifying or replacing working components just because the way they have been installed/repaired aren't to your standard. There is a good supply of used parts available so there isn't much you can't renew. But obviously again you have to factor this in your purchase price.

 

Come up with a quick checklist to run through with a seller. Some people may say buy one through this club - but it isn't always to say a club car has had the best possible life. The advantage of doing so though is you can usually have a good dig through project threads and get an idea of the quality of upkeep.

 

I wish you the best of luck and hope you get a good one.

[Carbs4me 45]

If i where looking for a new 205 Id be putting my money on this

 

Ebay item number: Item number: 251115267683

 

Just ashame its so far away from everwhere, but you can go on shiply and get someone to transport it to you.. i got my car picked up from Brighton and took up to preston for 60quid!

[Carbs4me 45]

Also check out this one Item number: 180935308489

[Tom Fenton 1,547]

Some good points above. I have looked over cars for folk before, it is difficult especially on bodywork as everyone has different standards of what is OK.

Mechanically is usually a bit easier, but as mentioned above if there is no history of any major overhaul work by now then the price of the car needs to reflect this.

There are two options really, either buy one at strong money that has had a decent amount of stuff done, or buy a cheap one and be prepared to overhaul it with beam rebuild, new dampers, bushes, etc etc.

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

Whatever car you buy you will always have the risk of buying a dog.

 

 

I had this problem once, went to buy a 205 and came back with a springer spaniel.

[Barlimow 0]

Thanks. Some interesting comments folks. I'm keeping my eye out in various places, and I certainly would buy on mileage not condition (and always do), and won't expect to have zero problems on a 20+ year car.

 

I see the thread has moved (I couldn't find it!). I assumed as it was GTi-specific it wasn't "General Car Chat" but I guess I was wrong!

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

Unsure if your above comment is a typo and the wrong way round to what it's intended to read, but if not; with how easy the clocks are to adjust, and how some people seem to lose paperwork so frequently I wouldn't buy on mileage.

 

That's why I mentioned pricing up repairs and consider how hands on you can get with the car. Finding one with an indicated 80k within your budget is all well and good, but if it needs 2 sill repairs and a beam rebuild costing anywhere up to £500ish depending on if you can do it yourself or if you need to buy one done, yet dismissing say a 140k example with a recent receipt from a reputable beam refurbisher and extensive history yet an idle issue possibly costing you an afternoon and £50 in parts is a no brainer.

[Barlimow 0]

Thanks Dan, you are of course correct that (in a hurry) I typed it the wrong way round!! And I can't see an edit button now.

 

Yes, I will always buy on CONDITION, for all the reasons you state. Perfectly happy with 100k+ miles if it has a good history (both of necessity due to age, and preventative).

[fordygti 4]

I done a 15 hour round trip to get my 205, was well worth it. And having the long drive gave me a chance to get user to the car adwell, in the twistys and the motorways.

 

Hope you get a good one mate, nothing worse than buying a car which looks good, you yet it home and start finding problems.

[MiniGibbo 142]

If youre a member you can orginsise a RAC man to go and veiw the car, not sure if you have to be there but i know they do offer the service.

[Barlimow 0]

I done a 15 hour round trip to get my 205, was well worth it. And having the long drive gave me a chance to get user to the car adwell, in the twistys and the motorways.

Good point! return journey would be fun... as long the AA/RAC not needed!!!

 

If youre a member you can orginsise a RAC man to go and veiw the car, not sure if you have to be there but i know they do offer the service.

Thanks. I looked them up, and you don't need to be a member, or even be there. I just wasn't sure how useful a "generic" inspection (not by a specialist) would be, but yeah it's an option (and for the £150 it would cost, it's better than a day off work, 7 hour trip, and £100 or so in petrol).

[mech205eng 11]

I had this problem once, went to buy a 205 and came back with a springer spaniel.

 

I bought unseen off ebay and got it brought 200+ miles with shiply. All a 205 has to do to make me smile is run so i wasnt that disapointed, and it was having a full rebuild and was cheap but yeah....peoples pictures on ebay never seem to depict the accuracy of the cars nagtive aspects. So i wouldnt reccomend buying unseen cos you'll more than likely end up with some kind of pooch