Practically Classics Forum

I'm looking at buying a 20 year old luxury car to be my new motorway muncher. I've already seen it myself & I believe that, should it all be in working order, it's worth the money - but I've thought that a lot recently & been disappointed too often.

Does anyone know of someone reliable I could get to give the car a good going over? Experience with Japanese cars, Toyotas etc., a distinct advantage. I'm not in the AA or RAC, so I'm not sure I can call on their services…

The car's near Emsworth, which is along the A27 between Chichester & Havant.

Can't speak for the RAC, but the AA would carry out an inspection for a non-subscriber, albeit at a slightly higher cost.

Hm, useful to know. Thanks!

If there is an owners' club for your chosen model, why not ask them. Most classics have their little weaknesses and I'm not sure an AA/RAC inspector more used to modern vehicles would be able to spot them. I've never used their services though, so I may be doing them an injustice.

I've moved this topic because the Classic Friendly Garages section is really for people to recommend establishments they've used.

Is it an old LS 400 ?
If so,

When i was in the trade we always use to dread an AA inspection on one of our cars,not because they were bad but because they were so damn thorough (at least the guy we had always was) every annoying little thing was picked up on.

This just my experience of one particular AA guy im not saying they are all as good but if you dont know what your doing it could be a money saver in the end.
Always always get your own HPI check done do not rely on a sellers copy of an HPI they 'claim' to have had done.

http://www.theaa.com/vehicle-inspections/index.html

pete - thanks, and apologies for putting this in the wrong place originally.
mrotwoman - yes, yes it is.
jimmyy - no HPI required, the car has a unique & certifiable provenance. I've never done an HPI actually... It's more of a "young car" thing isn't it?

I've gone with the closest marque main dealer to the vendor, they doing the same 120-point inspection that they would do on any car they expected to sell as Approved Used; they're quite excited about it, too The report's due on Tuesday!

OneCarefulOwner wrote:pete - thanks, and apologies for putting this in the wrong place originally.

You're welcome, I think there tends to be a better response to this sort of query in the chat section anyway. Good luck with your prospective purchase, I'm sure we're all dying to know how you get on.

I've gone with the closest marque main dealer to the vendor, they doing the same 120-point inspection that they would do on any car they expected to sell as Approved Used;

Jeez,that must cost almost as much as the car !

I'm not being funny but...even good ones are pretty damn cheap ,as nice as they are,why not just cross your fingers and take a punt ?

Worked for me so far