Subaru Inspections

[TylerDurden]

Hi Guys,

Im seriously considering buying a jdm bug sti, but reading my other you guys will probably be aware of the problems I was having with my my00 classic, I dont want to make the mistake of buying another car that doesnt run properly.

Are the car inspections form the likes of AA, Dekra etc worth it, from what I can tell they dont bother with a compression test, which I cant help thinking defeats the purpose, the car is in cornwall, Im in Glasgow, so im still considering getting the inspection done.

Are there any scooby specialists that can carry out an inpsection before I buy the car?

What do you guys think of these inspection companies? Usefull or a rip off?

Thanks

[JAutos]

Never used one personally, possibly one of the reasons why a compression test isnt done is (senario is you oraganise an inspection, they remove plugs to do a compression test, plugs breaks off in engine) who pays the repair bill. I guess these inspection companies have to be carefull to not incur themselves any extra costs for breaking things which inherantly isnt there fault. they inspect things that dont need to be stripped, ie engine numbers vin plates etc, the check is mainly making sure the car is legitamate

They do a bodywork check checking for repair areas previously already repaired which most prople may miss, they do a 10 mile roadtest to pick up any potential issues that may not show up on a short test drive and also a vehicle history check, their prices start from £149 (this is info from their website) which in my opinion is ok value, but you could in affect get a local mechanic with subaru knowledge to check the car out for a lot lot less, im sure a member on here close to you may help. and your own hpi report online which are about £25 i think. That way the same thing for £25 plus a possible crate of beer as well.

Just realised the car is miles away from you so my suggestion isnt really of help. But i personally think that you pay for one of these you have piece of mind the car isnt dodgy as in a write off previosuly etc. but same again these have been known to be wrong, also if its head gasket issues etc your worried over these can easily be missed on one of these depending on how bad they are. But i do welcome other opinions on anybody who may have had one of these done. As i havnt so my comments are sumwhat reserved

[RE54]

i would take any new car in for an mot test, this would identify any important things that will need repairing, and say to the guy doing the test your thinking of buying the car, is there any other issues that are not an mot issue to consider.

£40 (bung the guy a tenner if he finds a few issues)...and if it passes youll have a fresh mot for a year if it doesnt, you can use these points to your advantage and get a better price, i doubt your going to find a perfect example.

[JAutos]

Originally Posted by RE54

i would take any new car in for an mot test, this would identify any important things that will need repairing, and say to the guy doing the test your thinking of buying the car, is there any other issues that are not an mot issue to consider.

£40 (bung the guy a tenner if he finds a few issues)...and if it passes youll have a fresh mot for a year if it doesnt, you can use these points to your advantage and get a better price, i doubt your going to find a perfect example.

This is a good idea actually as if the seller is reluctant to say yes to this walk away, why would he not want you to pay for an MOT for his car unless he knows there is an issue. But beware that mot doesnt cover the issues that i think are bothering you as they arnt going to do a compression test during an mot or mot with additional checks

[TylerDurden]

Thanks for the reply JAutos, sometimes I think finding an Impreza with nothing wrong with it is just too good to be true, when you bought your bug, what did you check for?

The car im thinking of is a standard sti with a cat back exhaust. No boost gauge, so ill just have to rev it an make sure it picks up speed, the worrying thing tho is, my current car still goes pretty fast, she will happily go past 100mph.

[TylerDurden]

Originally Posted by JAutos

This is a good idea actually as if the seller is reluctant to say yes to this walk away, why would he not want you to pay for an MOT for his car unless he knows there is an issue. But beware that mot doesnt cover the issues that i think are bothering you as they arnt going to do a compression test during an mot or mot with additional checks

It is a good idea, but the car has a years MOT! I suppose I might have to rely on the new car driving the opposite of how my car drives, I just know if I travel all the way down Il probably end up buying it!

[JAutos]

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

Thanks for the reply JAutos, sometimes I think finding an Impreza with nothing wrong with it is just too good to be true, when you bought your bug, what did you check for?

The car im thinking of is a standard sti with a cat back exhaust. No boost gauge, so ill just have to rev it an make sure it picks up speed, the worrying thing tho is, my current car still goes pretty fast, she will happily go past 100mph.

Yeah there is a lot of bad eggs about, i checked mine over with a fine tooth comb lol, i went in my overalls and armed with a jack lol, i was under the car checking for oil leaks wheel bearings i probably went overboard and also did a fairly long test drive which included a moterway run as well, One thing i advise when buying the car ask a lot of questions like does it overheat, headgaskets ok etc, you can usually tell by response if they have even if they lie

[2002pete]

Link: Subaru Impreza - Buying Checklist

[carwisperer]

haha like me ive got good car and checked it over armed with a jack etc,but i couldnt do a compression test at the time and she wasnt running great..,and shes still the same or worse!a month now ive been trying to get to the bottom of it and the compressions are not great...but all very even!125-126psi and engines only done 77,000.. ,going to do some more diagnostic's today as finaly the rain is holding off just!!

[TylerDurden]

Thanks for the checklist 2002pete, although most of the things on it I wouldnt know how to check I dont want to go down and look like a p***k, Im bloody sh***ng it tho, plus according to google maps its an 8 hr drive back home,

I have phoned engine tuner, as he seems to be the closest specialist, but they dont do inspections, every impreza ive come across lately has something wrong with it, and I really need something thats going to be reliable

[JAutos]

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

Thanks for the checklist 2002pete, although most of the things on it I wouldnt know how to check I dont want to go down and look like a p***k, Im bloody sh***ng it tho, plus according to google maps its an 8 hr drive back home,

I have phoned engine tuner, as he seems to be the closest specialist, but they dont do inspections, every impreza ive come across lately has something wrong with it, and I really need something thats going to be reliable

my advice is to buy one closer to home, its better than going 8hours each way to find its a lemon.

[rubix]

im just curious to find out what you did? and have you found one yet if you didnt?

[bugeye_bob]

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

Thanks for the checklist 2002pete, although most of the things on it I wouldnt know how to check I dont want to go down and look like a p***k, Im bloody sh***ng it tho, plus according to google maps its an 8 hr drive back home,

I have phoned engine tuner, as he seems to be the closest specialist, but they dont do inspections, every impreza ive come across lately has something wrong with it, and I really need something thats going to be reliable

Thats bad, so thy wont let you run it into them for a quick check over and hook it up to the laptop for checks????

[TylerDurden]

Originally Posted by rubix

im just curious to find out what you did? and have you found one yet if you didnt?

Hi mate, havent found one yet, I went down, read the checklist before hand, checked what I could, took it for a spin, and decided to buy

[TylerDurden]

Originally Posted by bugeye_bob

Thats bad, so thy wont let you run it into them for a quick check over and hook it up to the laptop for checks????

Nope, the respone I got was to call the AA or RAC, and get them to have a look.