AA car inspection

[m2287]

I am raging....

Had someone very interested in my SLK, we went on a 20mile test drive and everything. He said he isnt very knowledgeable about cars so can he get an AA car check, i agreed.

The inspector turned up this morning, an hour late. His words to me were "you are missing a bolt on the front bumper, and some of the panels have been repainted but they are still the original Mercedes ones"

We then took it for his test drive, and when we got back he popped the bonnet. He then said the gearbox is making its usual rattle, I asked if there was anything else and he said no.

The potential buyer then sent me this txt message:

Hey dude got the report ack from the aa, bad news, theres a problem with the engine, gearbox, and exhaust, also a fluid leak. All need IMMEDIATE attention, for this reason I wont be going ahead with the sale. I am V disappointed but its faults with major components of the car. Thankyou for your time.

It has 79K, FMBSH up untill the last service 2k ago when my mechanic (who is fantastic) serviced it, I asked him to give it a really good looking over so I could have some ideas of any repairs that might need doing this year and the only thing he came up with was that the air con belt was starting to wear and the brake pads will need doing. It also just went straight through its MOT with no advisories and has never had an advisory in its life.

Ive messaged the potential buyer back asking for a copy of the report but no reply yet. |Fair enough its a used car and isnt going to be perfect but I just feel that this "AA man" has gone overboard to cover his back as it were.....


SO ANGRY !

 

[st4]

These AA checks tend to be a waste of time for the above reason that the AA tester goes OTT.

 

[st13phil]

It's dead simple in today's litigious age, I'm afraid: AA Inspector notes absolutely every "fault" however insignificant because otherwise the paying punter sues the AA because - for example - they didn't draw the buyer's attention to the fact that there's a bit of (benign) engine noise. The fact that such noise is perfectly normal because it's done 79k miles is a qualification that they cannot afford to give. Very sad

Put it down to experience, re-advertise the car if necessary and move on.

 

[Nasco12]

Are you sure the non-buyer is telling the truth?

 

[DSB SL AMG]

I has the exactly the same issue when i was selling my 406 Pug coupe few a months ago...

The car was 10 years old with 44k on clock only and FSH....buyer turned up test drove it and had even HPI it via AA, they even left me a £200 deposit, they loved the car as it was in really good condition....AA man turned up few days later for the inspection , he told me i had a broken spring, oil level was on min, and he couldnt get cruice control to work...nothing major he said....few days later buyer text me and told me after seeing the report they had decided against buying....i was fuming too! They must have spent close on £400 (deposit & AA package)...

I fitted new spring, which i would have done for them anyway and i fixed the C/control myself, i had never used it however it needed a brake sensor brkt adjusting to make contact...i think the AA know that as long as they keep sending out bad reports the punters will keep coming back to them at £150 a shot, i think the AA could make a brand new car look bad on paper....interestingly they use self employed contractors to do the inspections, am sure they want to sustain a busy workload....i sold the car a week later no problems...

 

[x332race]

A purchaser had an AA inspection carried out on a BMW 328i Sport I sold a few years ago. This car was immaculate and had been serviced on the dot.

The AA inspector said he thought that the head gasket was on its way out as the water level was low in the radiator (just above minimum). In fact I had had the coolant changed at a service about 3-4 weeks before selling as it was due and I had not checked the level (foolishly) since as recommended by the garage.....the purchaser then tried to use this as a lever to reduce the price....I refused and eventually he bought the car at our original agreed price....howver if I had not been so sure regarding the condition of the car, I could have easily been bulldozed into agreeing a lower price on the back of the AA's inspection and erroneous conclusion.

 

[Adam230K]

If your engine is the 230 kompressor engine then that variable valve timing 'rattle' is normal and that mechanic should take up a different profession before his ill-educated judgement causes serious damage some day!

 

[jaymanek]

Ive always said the same,.. They have no clue what they are doing and then they cover their backs by putting the customer off... that way they will never have a claim against them.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Only the first car I ever bought had an AA inspection and it was a total waste of money. If buying a specialist car, get a good specialist to check.

 

[Focus]

Surely it is not that easy to get an independant to look at a car unless he is local to the car you are purchasing - then you would ned to take the owner with you? I have made an approach to an indy and he said i needed to bring the car to him or have AA inspect it - which is only fair - i would pay an indy to look at a car but he would be doing it at the expense of his own business. What is everyone's experience on this - especially given that i am not currently a Mercedes owner and do not have a servicing relationship with a specialist who i could then approach to look at a car?

 

[DSB SL AMG]

my view is strike a relationship with the indy, just be honest with them..., yes you need to take the car to him but for a 1hr hour labour charge its well worth it, he may not be that keen if he is snowed under but explain you are not from the area...DONT waste your money on the AA as all there car reports look like the cars ready for the scrap yard..and may put you off a decent worthy buy!

 

[BlackC55]

The cost of an AA inspection is truly extreme.

I inspect cars all the time for people. Dealers, private customers, forum members etc etc. i am very very honest with my inspections but I take into consideration the price and the age of the car that I am checking.

Get a specialist to check the car over. For one hours labour is is money much better spent.