Pre-Purchase Car Inspection + Roadworthy

ronitdias on 11/07/2021 - 10:25
Last edited 11/07/2021 - 12:19

I've inspected a 2011 Honda Accord Luxury Navi that's done 165k for 9k (Good deal?) myself and drove it around a bit. I didn't find any major issues in it only the fact that it was due its every 10,000km service. Tyres, brakes and transmission felt good. No engine noises, oil leaks or any fuild leaks around the engine.

But I'm still not convinced when it comes to pulling the trigger and making a deposit unless its is vetted by a proper mechanic. I don't have any contacts as mechanics, and would be happy to arrange a service to vet the car before I make a purchase.

Any suggesetions for such services in Melbourne? The car is loacted near Deer Park in Melb so if distance to the car is factored in the cost then wpuld like to know that. Also if anyone knows any private trustworthy mechanics that can do the same for a smaller fee then please PM me.

Automotive

Comments

    • ronitdias on 11/07/2021 - 11:02

      Trustworthy? Has anyone used it?

      • oscargamer on 11/07/2021 - 11:07

        Trustyworthy? - I guess so

        Has anyone used it? - Yes

        Have I used it? - No

      • EFC94 on 11/07/2021 - 13:42
        +1

        I used this end of last year when looking at a car interstate, turns out the car had a few mechanical issues the dealer wasn't very honest about and I didn't go through with the sale as a result.

        • oscargamer on 11/07/2021 - 14:02
          +10

          A dealer not being honest…..STOP IT

  • Muzeeb on 11/07/2021 - 10:47

    4 or 6 cylinder

    Private or dealer

    • ronitdias on 11/07/2021 - 11:01

      4 cylinder, private

      • Muzeeb on 11/07/2021 - 11:07

        165k for 9k (Good deal?)

        Ok. Probably a fair price without the covid tax on others for sale.

        Are you an RACV member?

  • bobbified on 11/07/2021 - 11:06

    that's done 165k for 9k (Good deal?) myself and drove it around a bit. I didn't find any major issues in it only the fact that it was due its every 10,00km service.

    Do you mean it's due it's 10,000km service or 100,000km service? If it's missing it's 100,000km service, are you saying it hasn't been serviced in the last 65,000km? If it's 10,000km, then that's nothing - it's "in-between" right now.

    unless its is vetted by a proper mechanic.

    Vetting by a proper mechanic isn't a silver bullet against faults. There's a lot of things they can't check without pulling the whole car apart. It'll help, but it's not a guarantee that there's nothing wrong with the car. There is always going to be that risk.

    • Cheeper on 11/07/2021 - 11:14

      He said "only the fact that it was due its every 10,00km service" so only due for it's next service.

      • bobbified on 11/07/2021 - 11:17

        What OP has written says that a service is due - it says "1000km", but the positioning of the comma suggests it could be "10000km". (My bad - I somehow read "100,000km"!).

        • ronitdias on 11/07/2021 - 12:20

          my bad didn't catch the typo. Its 10,000Kms service which is the regular servicing.

          • bobbified on 11/07/2021 - 13:26

            @ronitdias: If it's just the one at 160,000 missing, I'd probably say that the owner already knew they were selling so they're just trying to spending as little as possible! haha

  • Cheeper on 11/07/2021 - 11:27
    +2

    A Honda with 165k/k 10 y/o … ?? It depends..
    How long do you intend to keep it for and for what use? If just for a couple of years and shopping trips with low k's then it may be ok.
    For an inspection you can get a mobile mechanic to look at it. Easiest way.
    If you are looking at long term ownership and doing a bit of traveling then stretch the budget a bit more, it may work out cheaper in the long run.

    • ronitdias on 11/07/2021 - 12:24

      at 9k I am at the absolute highest I can go in terms of budget for just the car as I have to factor in running costs, servicing, fuel and insurance. I intend to keep it minimum 3 years, mostly shopping trips and the occasional long drives. From what I've heard this gen and model of the Honda Accord is very reliable which is why I liked the deal.

  • Euphemistic on 11/07/2021 - 12:41

    Is this the one your mate is selling? If you trust said mate enough to buy to even consider the car, save your coin on the mechanical inspection and just get an honest appraisal from your mate. It’ll save you $.

    A mechanical inspection often just means having a look around underneath, checking fluids then taking it for a quick drive. They don’t typically do any internal inspection or analysis.

    • ronitdias on 11/07/2021 - 17:53

      Yes, I saw the car. I trust the guy enough from my first impressions on the product. He says it hasnt skipped a beat since he got it and always serviced on time. The reason for this mechanic check is that from my checks i identified a few things like oil level, coolant level etc that makes sense as it is due a service. But I still need a mechanic to take a look at it before taking such a plunge.

  • dandosr on 11/07/2021 - 19:01
    +2

    I recently purchased a Honda Accord Euro Luxury 2009 with 89,000km for $10k. Did have a few minor cosmetic scratches. These models are known for their reliability, if the car has been looked after and you have receipts to prove it should be fine. One problem this model does suffer from is front lower control arm bushings perishing, I replaced them myself - a shop would charge $1000 or so.

  • Darayus on 12/07/2021 - 09:44

    You are buying an old car so everything will start getting a breakdown. It all depends upon the purpose you are buying? is It was a short commute to work or a train station or your life depends upon it for a long drive? Even the best Toyota breaks down and all rubber parts start corroding by 10 years. If you are really concerned about the service and reliability then jump on to cheap Chinese and Korean cars that give you 7 years warranty and you can pay upfront and save for repairs in future.

    • Euphemistic on 12/07/2021 - 10:29
      +1

      Disagree. The AVERAGE age of Aussie cars is 10years. That means half the cars are older than 10 years, so they must still be in running order.

      everything will start getting a breakdown

      Sure, stuff wears and won’t be as good as new but ‘everything’ is patently false. I own a car over 10yo, plenty of friends do too. Almost everything works normally, but it is to be expected that not everything is perfect. The gear knob leather came off as the stitching wore. The drivers seat is a bit worn but it still works. Otherwise everything works as new, but has plenty of marks and scratches on it.

      Are you more likely to encounter mechanical problems? Yes, but that can happen with new cars too.

  • OzHunterNSW on 12/07/2021 - 11:53
    -2

    Let me get this straight… You are considering a TEN year old vehicle, that has done 165 THOUSAND kilometres and you think you could be getting ripped off -

    Of coarse you are!

    Vehicles are only warranted for a certain amount of time - why? Because they start to go wrong!

    • Euphemistic on 12/07/2021 - 12:08
      +1
      1. It’s a Honda
      2. It’s one third the price of a new one
      3. The depreciation will be a LOT less
      4. Saving in purchase price can be put toward unlikely repairs (again, Honda) if you are smart with your money.
    • ronitdias on 13/07/2021 - 09:07

      So somebody with a limited budget and absolutely cannot afford a brand new car should just carry on with public transport with the rest of their life? There is reason no one here except you said that buying a 10 year car knowing its a Honda that's run the annual average in terms of mileage is saying it's a bad deal.

  • Almighty Dollar on 12/07/2021 - 12:42

    I've used a company called State Roads (confusingly named as it is not associated with State governments) twice now to do a pre-purchase inspection; they warned us off a dud, but gave the tick to another vehicle which we bought and we've been happy with for nearly three years now. I am not affiliated with them in any way way.

  • HeWhoKnows on 13/07/2021 - 14:16
    -1

    Note that 165,000kms is a fair whack on a car
    There will be plenty of wear and tear on it regardless of regular servicing

    So get RACV to do an inspection on it.

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