PPI

[chard]

Hi, all I'm looking for a bit of info here if anyone can help. I've put my 996 up for sale and as such I've had a number of enquiries mainly from the London area. One gentleman wants to have my car inspected which in principle I don't have a problem with. However the firm he is proposing using is Mark Wibberley Car Inspections. On further investigations it appears that this firm is the middleman who allocates jobs out the contractors around the country. I wondering if anyone has dealt with this company in the past and if so feedback would be appreciated and if possible a heads up as to who the central belt inspector may be.
I'm concerned mainly about the part of the inspection where the inspector takes the car in question for an unaccompanied test run. I'm not keen handing my keys over to a total stranger. I maybe sounding a tad paranoid here but I once had my Lotus Exige inspected by a well know automobile firm which resulted in a report advising that the car was unsuitable for highway use due to having racing tyres fitted. The racing tyres were Yokohama A48 LTS's, the factory fit option so perhaps you can see my concerns.

Many Thanks.

 

[GreigM]

I'm no fan of PPIs for a number of reasons and in my opinion in most cases they will not result in a sale. Most PPIs (particularly from PPI "specialists") return an often very bleak picture of the car, especially as it gets older - a miriad of things which will be normal for the age of the car (and why cars depreciate) will be reported even if they have no impact on the the usability of the car (in my case, such things as rusty exhaust bolts etc, which the buyer then insisted must be replaced etc).

Its your car, if you are unhappy with an unaccompanied test drive then simply don't allow it - tell them you will accompany or they will have to inspect without that element, if the buyer or inspector is unhappy with this then so be it.

Insist that they come to you for the test and also insist that you get a copy of the report at the same time as the buyer - again if they aren't happy with that then tell them to find another inspector. I'm also in favour of the buyer viewing the car themselves before the inspection as I see this as a test of their seriousness and also helps offset the overly-negative PPI report with some reality.

 

[Contraband]

Hi Richard,

"unaccompanied test drive"???? What's that about? I would welcome any inspection but would never let them take it unaccompanied. What do they want to do that can't be done if you are there......?

Archie.

 

[chard]

Thanks for your input gents. On reflection I think I'm going to knock back the PPI request. The car was at the OPC health check on Saturday which bar a couple of minor niggles ie rusty exhaust bolts, only one horn working etc the car was deemed to be clean for its 15 years of life. I've already disclosed the opc findings to the buyer so I've come to conclude that if the buyer doesn't want to see it for themselves in the first instance its probably going to turn into a game of "the inspection says.....so I'm only going to pay£...." Frankly I don't have time for that carry on or for potential test pilots having a go at being Walter Rohrl in my car. Cheers

 

[porscot]

From SP Autobahn in Stirling's (Stuart Paterson) website: SP Autobahn is the only recognised independant Porsche Pre Purchase Inspector in Scotland, Inspections can be completed through SP Autobahn direct or through Peter Morgan Consulting @ porscheinspections.com (Stuart Paterson) Sole representive Scotland.

Diagnostics check also included where possible on vehicle inspections, data is transmitted from the ecu to check live data for faults and over revs to make sure your potential purchase is a wise one.

Pre-Purchase inspections available on any vehicle make/model and can be completed at the premises or as a mobile service at the vehicles location.



You could always suggest Stuart is used as at least you would know who was doing it. Not sure if he includes a test drive. When selling a Boxster S, the purchaser got the RAC to do the inspection and I don't recall there being a test drive element.

Regards
Graeme

 

[clyde]

ORIGINAL: Graeme Cobb

From SP Autobahn in Stirling's (Stuart Paterson) website: SP Autobahn is the only recognised independant Porsche Pre Purchase Inspector in Scotland,
Regards
Graeme

Recognised by who?

No disrespect intended to Stuart but I think I would rather have a Porsche inspected by a Porsche trained and qualified mechanic, sorry technician.

 

[GreigM]

ORIGINAL: clyde

ORIGINAL: Graeme Cobb

From SP Autobahn in Stirling's (Stuart Paterson) website: SP Autobahn is the only recognised independant Porsche Pre Purchase Inspector in Scotland,
Regards
Graeme

Recognised by who?

No disrespect intended to Stuart but I think I would rather have a Porsche inspected by a Porsche trained and qualified mechanic, sorry technician.

Indeed, plenty of other places have been doing inspections for substantially longer than Stuart, and with Porsche Qualified mechanics as well (motortune for one).

My issue with a previous inspection was with Stuart and I wasted a reasonable cost in fuel and 4 hours of my time for him to do an inspection - would never allow it again. Its fine going to concours level detail in an inspection so long as you explain to the prospective owner if this wear/tear is commensurate with the age of the car and price being asked - one without the other results in no sale every time. After a SP Autobahn inspection my "buyer" came back telling me my car needed £8K of work done to it. The actual buyer took it to Aberdeen OPC who charged him pennies (under £100) to lubricate a waste gate and he has been happy ever since.

 

[colin944]

When buying a car go and look at it and drive it yourself. If you are going to spend money on a car and your not sure what you are doing or looking at then go to a dealer.It really pisses me off the amount of crap talked about buying cars. Buying a shopping hatchback and buying a super-car are the same thing.The only difference is the size of the bills if you get it wrong.(refer to above statement re dealers).
Also service history etc is only a guide...... I personally don't care if the car had it's wipers changed 6 years ago. i want to see what it has had done in the last 20 k miles.
A private inspection will only show up faults. they are there to make money and also to cover their own arses. If you but a car that has been inspected and the gearbox falls out after 5k miles then you are going to go and have a chat with the inspector.(Once again refer to my statement re dealers).
So I would tell you buyer at the other end of the country to do sling his hook or come up and look at it himself.